There is a critical situation at our area shelters that requires our community’s immediate action.

There is a huge overpopulation of dogs and cats. Spaying and neutering pets has not been a priority for many owners. The space at our area animal control shelters is limited, so when illnesses, even treatable illnesses, occur or when time simply runs out, animals are euthanized.

Unfortunately, this happens every week. The area rescue organizations are saving dogs and cats from the shelters but they are unable to match the rate at which they are coming in. This problem requires more than just the animal rescue volunteers. It is much larger and requires a community to address at the source.  

We need more focus on spay/neuter.

How can you personally help? There are many ways.

If you have not done so already, please have your dog or cat spayed or neutered. You can contact the Humane Society at (229) 247-3266 for low-cost spay/neuter options. Help educate your neighbors on the importance of spaying and neutering since overpopulation is a killer.

Adopt a dog or cat from an area shelter to save a life.

All of the animals at the rescue organizations are spayed or neutered before they can be adopted. If you are unable to adopt, consider fostering for one of Valdosta’s rescue organizations listed below so that they have the capacity to save more dogs from the shelters.

You can also sponsor an animal, like a mother dog or puppy, at Lowndes County Animal Shelter (LCAS) (229) 671-2760. To ensure safe return of your own pets, add a simple name tag to your pet’s collar or have them micro-chipped. If you have the time or means, volunteer for or donate to one of our area’s non-profit rescue organizations to enable them to continue saving animals.

There are so many dogs and cats awaiting their fate at area shelters.

It is sad but there are four mother dogs with puppies right now at LCAS. Katana, one of these mothers, gave birth in the shelter just a couple of days ago. Before this article could be published, I was informed that all of her puppies had died.

There is also mama Mabel, mama boxer mix and mama bulldog mix all with puppies at LCAS.   

Please help reduce overpopulation and needless euthanasia by spaying and neutering your pets. Please also help save the urgent dogs, like these mothers and puppies, at the Lowndes County Animal Shelter.  

Together we can all make a difference.

Valdosta Area Non-Profit Animal Rescue Organizations

ACT Animal Rescue of Valdosta/Lowndes County: (229) 460-2954.

BARC Humane Society: (229) 244-8500.

DARE Animal Rescue: (229) 242-1361.

Humane Society of Valdosta Lowndes County: (229) 247-3266.

Jackie Shoemaker is a BARC volunteer.