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http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x65624712/Volunteers-changes-at-Animal-Control-mean-dogs-cats-living-longer

Volunteers, changes at Animal Control mean dogs, cats living longer

Friends’ volunteers also conduct off-site adoption events.

“There are a lot of people who aren’t enthused about coming into this facility because we do euthanize animals. So the volunteers give the animals more exposure,” Largent said.

Overall numbers down

Another reason for the decline in euthanizations is that the number of animals processed has gone down since 2005. Back then, the total dog and cat intake was 6,239 animals annually. The projected number for 2012 is 4,340.

Largent cited an ongoing program at the center to spay or neuter all of the dogs and cats it adopts out. T

“Dogs and cats were leaving here and potentially producing more dogs and cats. That isn’t happening anymore,” Largent said.

The Animal Protective League is under contract to perform the spay and neuter procedures on animals brought into the animal control center. The APL also offers low-cost spay/neuter clinics to the general public.

In 2012, the local APL performed more than 13,000 spay or neuter procedures, Antonucci said.

Make good pets

Largent said there are a lot of reasons why a dog or cat may have a hard time getting adopted. It’s often difficult to find homes for older dogs, he said, and on other occasions, the problem may be as simple as the color of the animal’s coat.

“Black dogs are difficult to adopt. They are such a common color,” Largent said. “Dogs or cats with interesting markings or multiple colors catch people’s eyes right away.”

With the help of local volunteers and other shelters, Largent hopes that all of the dogs that come through the facility can find permanent homes.

“We get a lot of good animals. Some of the dogs and cats that come through here, I’m amazed that no owner came looking for them, because they make great pets,” Largent said.

John Reynolds can be reached at 788-1524. Follow him at twitter.com/JohnSJR.

Sangamon County Animal Control numbers

In 2005, the Sangamon County Animal Control Center euthanized 1,008 dogs and 1,110 cats due to space concerns. A total of 6,239 dogs and cats came into the shelter that year.

Here’s a breakdown of space-related euthanizations in recent years:

2009: dogs, 106; cats, 174. Total dog/cat intake, 4,643.

2010: dogs, 69; cats, 130. Total dog/cat intake, 4,530.

2011: dogs, 53; cats, 104. Total dog/cat intake, 4,370.

2012: dogs, 20; cats, 12. Total dog/cat intake, 4,340.*

*Numbers for 2012 are projections

Source: Sangamon County Animal Control

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 8:47 am Post subject:

That is wonderful. I wish other shelters would copy all the things that are working for this one to reduce the euth rate

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 10:23 pm Post subject:

It takes everyone working together. But we are doing it!

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