They're hurt or sick. They're hungry. They're cold, abused and neglected. And, they're unwanted. Who cares? After all, they're only animals, dogs and cats. They have no feelings, or, if they do, they have no way of expressing their pain, confusion and rejection.
The lucky ones are taken to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) where they're fed and cared for. Some are even placed into a caring, loving home. Others, too sick to survive, spend their last days in a little more comfort than they might otherwise have.
The purpose of the SPCA is to shelter and house unwanted, abused animals until homes can be found for them says the manager of the Yorkton shelter Joan Kobylko. "Pretty much anything that can fit into a cage can come in here and we'll do our best to re-home it," she says. The shelter does, however draw the limit at horses and cattle and larger animals because of space considerations. Agricultural animals are housed in another facility. She does admit the Yorkton shelter has had pigs, chickens, ducks and goats brought in.
People have so many reasons for dropping pets off at the shelter, says Kobylko. Probably the number one reason is that they simply no longer want the animal. It's generally unwanted because the animal has grown larger than people expected it to. It barks more than owners expected it to. "The bottom line is that they are unwanted for a vast array of reasons, she states. Pet overpopulation is rampant everywhere. Yorkton is no exception, Kobylko asserts.
They are well looked after and cared for, Kobylko insists. "Here is by far not the worst place for an animal to end up because we are established because we care," she declares. The difficulty is that the problem is so huge.
Where animals are too injured or sick to be placed or where they simply aren't placed, the animals are humanely euthanized. That said, shelter staff absolutely insist people should not come to the shelter to adopt an animal simply in a misguided attempt to save it. "That's not the reason to get an animal because they are so long term," Kobylko points out. "If you come in here thinking you're going to get one because we're going to put it down and then three weeks later give it away because it wasn't what you wanted, then you're not helping," she continues.
The right reason for adopting a pet is to want it long term, Kobylko says. When adopting an animal from the SPCA it's mandatory to have it spayed or neutered and vaccinated, she points out. "We absolutely will not allow our animals to go into the world and make more animals that are unwanted," she elaborates.
"There are important things to keep in mind before deciding whether or not to get a dog. Dogs, especially puppies, can be very appealing pets. Seeing a dog in an animal shelter can tug at person's heart strings. Animal shelters, including humane societies and SPCAs will not allow you to adopt an animal on impulse. You should not acquire a dog on impulse from any other source either. Never buy an animal as a gift for someone. Each person should choose their own pet. Take the time to carefully consider whether you can accommodate a dog in your life," Kobylko quotes an SPCA publication.
In Yorkton the SPCA is funded by donations and through annual fund raisers, Kobylko states. The cost of operating the shelter is quite high, including staff, food, utilities, and other services provided by the shelter. The current funding is not adequate, falling short of shelter needs every year, Kobylko admits. The Yorkton shelter currently has 11 dog cages and about 20 cat cages. "They're almost always filled.
"There isn't a charitable organization out there that isn't important when it comes to raising money. But we tend to be the forgotten charity. Everyone just assumes everything here is government funded. It's not. There's no government funding at all," says Kobylko. The city pays a fee for service to operate the city pound, she notes. "But rest assured we earn every cent," she declares.
Donations are always welcome and can be dropped off at the shelter. Anyone wishing to fund raise for the local SPCA should contact Kobylko to make arrangements to put their proposal in writing to the board of directors for approval. The reason for requiring board approval is because in the past some folks have conducted fund raisers and not turned in the funds, Kobylko explains.
When asked to state her most important advice to pet owners, Kobylko says without hesitation that pet owners must take the responsibility to help control the pet population. "We created this problem of pet overpopulation and as people we need to get control of it."
As well pet owners should have their pets vaccinated. The SPCA sees a lot of animals which haven't been vaccinated.
They pass on illnesses to other animals in the shelter. "That often spells their demise in here because there just isn't money to fix them all and not have homes for them," Kobylko reports.
Some people believe that if their pets are kept indoors they needn't be vaccinated. Viruses, however can come into a home through the air or on peoples' feet and clothing. "A neighborhood cat that's wandering around can pick up a virus and carry it everywhere it steps," Kobylko notes.
Pet ownership carries a lot of responsibility. There are, however, many people who appear to be very casual in their pet ownership responsibility, Kobylko suggests.
Prospective pet owners should consider the cost of pet ownership, she suggests.
The purchase price of the pet is only the beginning. Ongoing costs include annual or every other yearly vaccinations. Licensing fees, treatment of illness, grooming and food are also things to consider in deciding whether to adopt an animal.
"Owning a pet is a precursor in all relationships to getting married and starting a family," says Kobylko. There are many cases where people turn in pets because they're starting a family and feel the animal is no longer wanted. While Kobylko admits some animals may seem upset around children, there are ways to get around it, she states. "It all comes down to thinking before you get one, rather than having to give it up later," she closes.
