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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1998-04-01, Page 13Pizza Pizza Any topping Any size $91" 99 Any time 9B 235-3141 ss=zziz=uzzzu=zzL Second Section - April 1, 1998 Municipalities support vaccination over euthanasia Lots of love. Mitz, a three -month-old female, was fos- tered by OSPCA Huronia Branch board member Bev Chowen, at right. Between herself and Branch president Harriet Shillinglaw, they have fostered hundreds of home- less pets Happy dog days. Bailey was adopted from the OSPCA by the Lentings in Hensall. "Right from the beginning, 1 knew we wanted to adopt one, " explained Carolyn, at right. "It's a cheap way to get a dog." Saving a dog through vaccination is less expen- sive than 'putting it to sleep' and disposing of it By Brenda Burke T -A Reporter HURON COUNTY - The sad story is the same — lots of unwanted. abused and neglected animals in need ♦f homes. The Huronia Branch of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is asking municipalities for help,— not a donation — hut payment for the vaccination t)f homeless dogs rather than- for euthana- sia and disposal. Since it began to write letters in late December, the branch has heard •positive responses from _nearly a dozen municipalities within the county including Hay and Stephen Townships as well as Grand Bend. Exeter and Clinton. According to the proposal, "the cost of vaccinations is cheaper than the cost of euthanasia and disposal." In 'Huron County, vaccinations cost up to $54 with the maximum cost to the OSPCA for a dog's vaccination averaging S40. • "If the humane society fosters the dog. then they're given a special rate," explained Ross Caslick; a veteri- narian at the South Huron Vet Clinic in Zurich. ' The vaccinations include an annual exam and de -worming. Euthanasia' generally costs between $40 and $50, depending on the size of the animal, plus a $43 to $75 charge for disposal. "They have to be cremated at a certified crematorium," said Caslick. "The bigger the animal, the more expensive it is." He agrees it is cheaper to vac- cinate than to euthanise a dog "if a good home is found." Huronia OSPCA president Harriet Shillinglaw claims many people don't know where to find their dog .once it has gone miss- ing. According to the OSPCA proposal,: a stray dog. is taken to a local vet clinic.where it is held for only three working days. Then it belongs to the municipality. which boarding costs. If the dog isn't claimed and the :vet doesn't recommend the dog for adoption through' the OSPCA, the municipality pays for euthanasia and disposal. if the vet recommends the dog for adoption and a foster home is available, the OSPCA attempts to place the dog in a good home. although not in the same area the dog has been picked up. "Before leaving the veterinary clinic." reads the proposal. "the dog would he given all vaccinations and (the) Township. Town or Village 'would pay for these vaccinations instead of paying for euthanasia and disposal." '"We don't put them in a foster home unless they're vet -checked. - added Shillinglaw, explaining the OSPCA also pays for medical attention. The Huronia OSPCA usually keeps the dog until a new home is found and if.euthanasia is necessary. it pays for that as well as disposal. In an effort to recover its vet hills including neutering and spaying costs. the OSPCA requests a donation when an animal is adopted. "We'd like the village to participate in a spay and neuter clinic." said Hensall resident Ann MacMillan, who fosters three cats. suggesting they have to pay but money collected from liccncing could go toward the project. Over the past year, the Huronia OSPCA, with'an estimated RX) mem— bers, has placed 36 dogs and 61 cats in adoption homes: Acro3s the county. there are now three foster homes for dogs and -six for cats. "We are anon -profit organization and do not -receive financial assistance from any level of government." explained Shillinglaw. adding -the' organi- zation relies on.money from memberships, donations and fundraising Upcoming fundraisers for the Huronia Branch include a Goderich bowl - a -thou in April, a Clinton dog walk-a-thon in May tin conjunction with. Animal Health Week) and a Clinton yard sale in June. "It's difficult when you don't have a shelter. and a phone number." she added. "Unfortunately -we can't save them all...You have to start making choices." • Setting up a shelter has been a Tong -term goal of the Huronia OSPCA since it -began in 1982. if enough municipalities support the vaccinate- rather-than-cuthanize proposal. claims Shillinglaw. costs could be covered more effectively and fundraising money would go towards.a new shelter. • "They're not cheap to run." she admitted. "We'd certainly have to get Sonic help from somewhere. The problem of homeless pets. said Shillinglaw stems from many .sources. She stresses the. importance of tagging. neutering. spaying and keeping. pets •at home. Although a donation is required when someone• adopts an anirflal. the society tries to obtain $100 for a spayed Or neutered pet to offset these costs. :She advises potential pet owners to 'beware of • indiscriminate breeding. 'People think they can take this dog and that dog and make a for- tune." explained Be% Chowen. a long-time board member of "the Huronia OSPCA. "I don't think u's all, in the city." she said. adding -there is 'at least one instance of a puppy • mill approach in the county. • "A reputable breeder w ill breed only one or two breeds... said • Shillinglaw. adding, purebreds ..for sale must._ be registered with the Canadian Kennel Club and dogs A positive spin on Hensall's cat problem. "We're the only ones in Hensall who will take in a stray," said Ann MacMillan, right, who, along with her sister, Sarah, foster three cats as well as owning three of their own. pays for dog catcher and ENSALL !STRICT Announces O -OPERATIVE ji‘Chick cD ays '98 HISTRiCT ENSALL Exeter -oPrRAr1Yf Day Old or Started lairds Egg Layers * Meat Birds - Ducks *. Pheasants Turkey * Guinea Fowl Delivery Dates April 29, May 27, June 24 (.? • (Please order 4 weeks in ,id vont White Rock - your choice (Cockerals, I'u lets, Non Sexed) 890 O N 11' Order Deadline April 25th J Order Early and inquire Today!!! For more details, contact llderton 235-2081 1-888-874-4435 888.1300 Parkhill 204.8262 Forst 788-2312 sold should be guaranteed. She stresses people should be'Very cautious" when- purchasing pets and tells a story of children whorecently bought a cat for $15..then failed to pro- vide a home for it. The recent sagging economy has certainly taken its toll on homeless ani- mals.. she added. "For awhile people couldn't keep their animals anymore." Adapted a cat. Julia Geiger. who lives near Zurich. received Gabby as a birthday present from her parents, who were rec- ommended by their vet to adopt a cat from the OSPCA. • .-RENTAL the Doltcenter sl�il�(�1CC�. Service Time for your riding lawn mower and garden equipment TOOL & RENTAL STOP 'lf11IlW11E (C1u ,� .--ALJII ' 111I1NIIE 7.ODIAK w LARGE SELECTION OF r n w■ n s o u MINT PRESSURE WASHERS starting at 5299 I:C)IZ AIL. j. YC_31..n REN"I'AiG. NFEUS SL L IJS. center EXETER 235-4441 PICK-UP AND DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILAHL t