Irresponsible Animal Owners

A small percentage of irresponsible animal owners in Mendocino County are the direct cause of the overcrowding in the Animal Shelter.  You see irresponsible animal owners don’t get their animals vaccinated, microchipped, licensed, spay or neutered and fail to take measures at their residences in preventing the animals from escaping the property.  Then when the escaped animals get picked up by the Animal Protection Officers or turned in at the Animal Shelter by concerned citizens the irresponsible animal owner fails to come to the Animal Shelter to pick up their lost pet.  Failing to pick up the lost pet is usually due to the animal becoming a problem to the irresponsible animal owner and costing them money or getting them a citation for the animal running at large, no vaccination or no dog license.  The animal now has lost its luster when there is accountability to the irresponsible owners. 

When the Mendocino County Animal Shelter becomes overcrowded with animals it places us in the position of possibly euthanasia in order to gain kennel space.  To the critics that say we should give the animals away unfortunately we just can’t do that.  We have an annual budget of approximately $2,000,000.  We are able to get back approximately $1,000,000 in revenue from dog licensing, our low cost spay & neuter clinic, adoption, boarding and other misc fees.  The Animal Shelter has bills that need to be paid due to the services that we offer.  To the critics that say we should reduce or waive impound fees on impounded animals - we routinely waive or reduce fees for owners to reclaim their lost animals to ensure that we can reconnect the pet with their owners and to free up valuable kennel space.

Unfortunately, irresponsible animal owners don’t know all the problems that they create in the community and for the Animal Shelter due to their nonchalant ownership of the animals nor do they care.  Well, this posting is to make them aware that innocent shelter animals may be euthanized due to their irresponsibility.  If irresponsible animal owners can’t take the time, effort or spend the required money to take care of an animal then they shouldn’t own an animal.  Plan & simple to the irresponsible animal owners – you need to think twice about the next time you opt to “own” or “care” for an animal because you might be directly responsible for the Animal Shelter having to euthanize animals due to overcrowding at the Animal Shelter that you have caused.

This posting is harsh and directed at the irresponsible animal owners but if it saves the life of one innocent animal it is worth it.   

If irresponsible animal owners did the below the community would be much better off. 

Owning a pet is a privilege and should result in a mutually beneficial relationship. The benefits of pet ownership come with responsibilities. These include:

• Lifelong care of the pet.  This means committing to the relationship for your pet's entire life.
• Selecting a pet that is suited to your home and lifestyle and avoiding impulsive decisions.
• Recognizing that owning a pet(s) requires an investment of time and money.
• Keeping only the type and number of pets for which you can provide an appropriate and safe environment.  This includes appropriate food, water, shelter, health care and companionship.
• Animals that spend extended periods of time outside require habitats that protect their health, safety, and welfare. Outdoor confinement of an animal should include provisions to minimize distress or discomfort to the animal, and assure access to appropriate food, water, and shelter from extreme weather conditions.
• Ensuring pets are properly identified (i.e., tags, microchips, or tattoos) and that their registration information in associated databases is kept up-to-date.
• Adhering to local ordinances, including licensing and leash requirements.
• Helping to manage overpopulation by controlling your pet(s)' reproduction through managed breeding, containment, or spay/neuter.  Establishing and maintaining a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
• Providing preventive (e.g., vaccinations, parasite control) and therapeutic health care for the life of your pet(s) in consultation with and as recommended by your veterinarian.
• Socialization and appropriate training for your pet(s) to facilitate their well-being and the well-being of other animals and people.
• Preventing your pet(s) from negatively impacting other people, animals and the environment. This includes proper waste disposal, noise control, and not allowing pet(s) to stray or become feral.