About Spot

So far, Help Spot Home is Natalie , Robin and David,  Terri, Janeen, Teri , Jackie (who specializes in country dogs) Forrest and Staci, Anthony and Marcia and the inspiration of many great dogs and cats. If you would like to help Spot home, please contact us.  Natalie got fired from our local no kill shelter Oct. 1 2009.  Apparent reason was shooting fom the hip and other nonsense. 

            

Lila found her new home through helpspothome.com

 

Animal Pound Euthanasia

Healthy, friendly and adoptable animals are treated humanely when they are unfortunate enough to end up in the animal pound. Every effort is made to find them a home, and euthanasia is truly a last resort. Currently 83% of the animals that enter Glynn counties animal pound are euthanized. Realizing that a small percentage of these animals are vicious or unhealthy, the number of animals killed is high. There are people and groups in the community that are willing to work to help change this situation including the dedicated staff at Glynn County Animal Services.

Population control through low-cost spay and neuter programs is the key to lower numbers of animals entering the pound. Local veterinarians generously donate spay and neuter services for adopted animals. Southern Humane Alliance will open a low cost spay and neuter clinic in 2008. Public education on the importance of spaying and neutering their pet is a priority for Glynn County Animal Services and other community animal welfare groups.

Sometimes a pet owner's situation changes, and they are forced to give up their pet. Owners with trained animals that are used to a loving home that find themselves in this position could be referred to community animal rescue groups that could foster the pet until the owners circumstances improve, or another loving home could be found. Owners with untrained animals could seek the guidance of GCAS, The Humane Society or local rescue groups to learn about training techniques.  Currently, a Glynn county resident can bring in an animal, sign a form, and leave the pet. A person, volunteer or employee, available during public operating hours to greet the pet owner, get information about the animals history and temperament, and offer options other than the pound such as training tips could help reduce the number of animals taken in to the pound.

Once an animal is in the pound, whether picked up on the street or relinquished by the owner, there are a number of things that could be done to help assure adoption instead of euthanasia.

 

• Better public visiting hours.
  Current visiting hours are 11 AM to 4 PM Monday - Friday (closed Thursday for euthanasia) and 1 PM to 4 PM Saturday. It is difficult for some working people to visit the pound during these hours. Extended hours on some weekdays, Saturday, and perhaps Sunday afternoon would be more accommodating.
  
  
• Groom and assess the animals.
  Animals that appear to be in poor condition do not look adoptable. Newcomers should be bathed, treated for fleas and ear mites, and walked to assess their temperament. An attempt to identify the breed, or mix of breeds, and a name for the animal may help the animal find a home.
  
  
• Coordinate with the media.
  There should be a partnership with local media to bring animal adoption events as well as educational issues to the public. Many local papers, radio stations, and web sites are happy to help find homes for pets.
  
  
• Partner with local pet supply companies.
  Local pet stores have been very generous in providing high traffic venues for adoption events.  Currently Pet Supplies Plus has partnered with GCAS to hold adoption events most Saturdays and they have been quite successful.
  
  
• Volunteers
  Volunteerism is a great way for people to spend their time and feel they are making a difference in others lives. Although cleaning and walking the dogs, and assessing and interacting with the cats should be a primary part of a pound employees daily routine, volunteers could help with this. People are more apt to donate their time, services, dollars and goods to a shelter that does not kill healthy, adoptable animals.
  
  
• Work with rescue groups
  Local citizens are willing to donate their time and money to foster adoptable animals until a home can be found. Many local groups are currently working with the pound, but liability and fostering issues, as well as volunteer restrictions should be addressed.

spay and neuter.

Many of these suggestions would cost the county nothing, but some would involve more funding. A serious look at animal licensing as a source of revenue may be needed as the area continues to grow. It costs money to catch and kill animals, and lower numbers of animals taken into the pound in the first place, as well as adoption instead of euthanasia would save the county money. Glynn county has been increasing the number of adoption events in the community. This saves space at the pound and gives the public a better image of the pound.