Animal abandonment cases skyrocketing

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By Matt Sanctis, Staff Writer Updated 11:36 AM Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Nearly every week, Mickey Morgan and her staff receive calls from clients who have found animals abandoned in yards and in foreclosed homes throughout the city.

This past summer, about 20 cats were dropped off at the doorstep of East High Veterinary Clinic, where Morgan has worked for several years. When that happens, Morgan says she treats the abandoned cats and dogs for parasites, and tries to get them started on vaccines.

“Thankfully, I haven’t had any sick enough to be put down,” she said.

Information from the Humane Society Serving Clark County Inc. shows the number of abandoned pets has significantly increased in the past year. The agency handled 103 cases of abandoned animals and 76 cases of animal cruelty in 2009, said Jimmy Straley, executive director of the agency. By November this year, the Humane Society had already handled 147 cases of abandonment and 59 cases of animal cruelty.

“Obviously, our abandonment cases are skyrocketing,” Straley said.

Because pets are abandoned for various reasons, it is difficult to know why the cases have risen so drastically. In some cases, families are simply unable to afford to feed their pets, and the recent recession only increased the problem.

“Unfortunately, I hear a lot of stories from clients who find animals in homes that have been foreclosed or abandoned,” Morgan said.

Owners who fail to spay and neuter their pets compound the problem when the animals later have puppies or kittens.

To help some families, Morgan asks clients to donate bags of dog food, which is then donated to Second Harvest Food Bank in Springfield. Straley said that last year, the Humane Society provided needy families with 2,000 pounds of dog food donated to the shelter. The line for assistance stretched out to the street, he said.

While the number of abandonment cases has increased, Straley said there are many more that his agency will never know about.

“We only know what people will tell us, and I seriously doubt we’re hearing every complaint of an abandoned animal,” Straley said.

How you can help man’s best friends

To contact the Humane Society Serving Clark County Inc., call (937) 399-2917. The mailing address is: The Humane Society Serving Clark County Inc., 5201 Urbana Road, Springfield, OH 45502

Monetary donations are accepted and are tax-deductible. Donations can be sent to the mailing address, and credit and debit cards are accepted via Paypal online at www.clarkhumane.org

Nonmonetary donations, including towels, bleach, clay cat litter, crates, leashes and old cell phones, are accepted as well.

The agency also is seeking residents who wish to donate time as volunteers or foster families.