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The month of May holds a grim statistic.
May is the month where the number of animals who are euthanized at the shelter literally doubles from the wintertime. The reason is pretty simple: too many pets and not enough people to adopt them.
It's the time of year when the cages at the Anchorage Animal Shelter are often full. It's a situation that's likely to get worse before it gets better.
"We do have a limited amount of space, and so as more animals come in, we have to work harder to find them houses, or their existing homes of. If we do run out of space, then we try to find a rescue, which is always a good option here in town. Or
It happens more often than we'd like to think. Last year in the month of May 343 animals were killed at the shelter. This statistic makes it tough for the people who work there.
"If you were to get to know these animals, it becomes a very real situation of them having a much shorter lifespan because we as people haven't been responsible about our duty to these animals," said Premer.
But there are things people can do to help break the cycle of putting down unwanted pets. Spaying and neutering are essential. Micro chipping and licensing to find lost pets is another. And just as important is not adopting an animal until you are really ready for the responsibility.
"If they adopt an animal and they bring it back within a week, simple because they weren't house trained, or little problems that are very easy to work on and expected. This is a new animal. And they don't know what the rules are, so you have to expect to put in some training," said Premer.
Pets are a lifetime commitment. If you're ready to make it, Anchorage Animal Control is a great place to start.
During the month of May the group called Friends of Pets is offering discount spay and neutering. Also the SPCA is always a low-cost option for those services as well.
To contact Lauren, call 907-273-3186.
