HELP IS ONLY A PHONE CALL AWAY

What possesses people to abandon or neglect their pets? Have they no conscience? Accountability? Is it because the pets cannot tell someone about their owner’s inhumanity?

Given the number of animals in this area it is difficult – BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE – to find loving forever homes for pets that can no longer be cared for by their owners. There are alternatives! Call your local Animal Control Officer, Town Office, or, in Caledonia County, the St. Johnsbury Police (748-2315). Contact a veterinarian. Consider calling the Vermont Humane Federation at their new Toll Free Hotline: 1-877-9-HUMANE.

Recently the local Animal Control Officer, Jo Guertin, encountered three tiny kittens abandoned beside the road. Without food, water, and shelter, these poor babies would have starved in a relatively short time, as they were only a few weeks old and unable to fend for themselves. Fortunately, Jo called C.A.RE., veterinary care was provided and a fostering situation now finds them comfortable, well cared for, and thriving. Hopefully, they can be placed in their forever homes when they reach adoptable age.

These kittens are among the lucky ones, no thanks to whomever originally owned their mother. It would have been so much kinder for that person to have called Jo to surrender them. Granted, she does not normally rescue cats, as she has no facilities for them, but she was willing to go the extra mile to rescue three tiny creatures in need and located temporary quarters for them.

A preventative measure would have been to have the mother cat “fixed” so she could not become pregnant. However, once kittens were on the way, the owner could have made inquiries, as to who might want a member of the litter, and then allow the mother cat to nurse them until they were old enough to be adopted. In the rare case where the mother cat would not, or could not, raise her kittens, again, help would only have been a phone call away.

This column, “Ask Annie,” and numerous other articles in this newspaper, as well as television spots and magazine features stress the need for responsible pet ownership. If only people would heed their advice! The front-page photo of the St. Johnsbury dog that succumbed to the heat because of improper care is only one more statistic among the heart-breaking tales on animal suffering. Remember 748-2315 - call it whenever you see an animal in need.

PAT JAUCH

CALEDONIA ANIMAL RESCUE, INC

There are many exciting things happening on behalf of animals in Caledonia County and throughout Vermont. Locally, the feral cat colonies that have experienced TNR (trap/neuter/release) are healthy and well-fed, thanks to caring overseers and donations of food. The aim of the program was to contain the number of feral cats and prevent additional litters. To date it appears that this has been a success. No new litters have been reported and the colonies are stable. As new colonies are identified we hope to expand the program and continue to contain the populations, thereby reducing the number of unwanted and homeless felines.

Many area pet owners responded to the spay/neuter coupon offering which helped to reduce their expenses for the surgery. Of the 140 requests received, two-thirds of the animals have had their surgery as of this date and the others are scheduled in the near future. In addition to preventing pet overpopulation, pets that are spayed or neutered can benefit from healthier lives and in some cases their behavior may be improved. We applaud those pet owners who supported this program and especially to the many supporters who helped to fund it.

As you search the Internet, be advised that there’s a new website in town. Click on to

www.caledoniaanimalrescue.com

for information about C.A.RE., adoptable animals, new programs, and links to other animal friendly sites.

Statewide, a new Animal Cruelty taskforce is making its debut. Soon there will be major announcements about this and how you can make a difference in the life of creatures in distress. Meanwhile, the Vermont Humane Federation has introduced its animal welfare line. Your questions and concerns about 1) animal cruelty, 2) spay-neuter services and/or 3) wildlife, will be addressed when you reach them at:

(877)-9-HUMANE

Every concerned resident is encouraged to become familiar with these resources and do his or her part to help improve the lives of animals. Exercise compassion and become involved. The animals need you.

PAT JAUCH

CALEDONIA ANIMAL RESCUE, INC.

P.O. Box 4054

ST. JOHNSBURY, VT 05819