Annie and I showed the gentleman where the cats are housed when they first arrive at the Humane Society.  “As you can see every cage is filled,” I said.

It was late in the afternoon when he brought us his five adult cats.  He no longer wanted them.  Unfortunately we had already received 18 cats within five hours that day.  By a logistical miracle we managed to squeeze 37 cats, kittens and puppies into 22 cages.  Not pens—cages.

As we stood there scanning the room I expected the man to understand our plight.  I then made my request, “If you could just come back tomor—“
          Before I could finish my sentence he emphatically replied, “Absolutely not.”
My eyes shifted to my colleague and her battle-fatigued countenance.  I knew exactly the thoughts that were swirling through her head.  As a last-ditch effort, I tried to appeal to his sense of compassion—if not for us, perhaps for his own cats—and sheepishly stated, “Sir, then our only option is that your cats be put to sleep.”

Naively expecting his response to be one of mercy, he instead coldly replied, “Well, okay.  If that’s what you have to do.”  There was no expression of remorse on his face or in his words.  No empathy.

So instead we absorbed the pain and sadness for these now homeless cats whose owner didn’t care if they lived or died.

This is a very small sampling of reasons we’ve heard why people have brought their pet(s) to the shelter.  I understand that in some cases it is the only and best choice to make; however, how many animals could remain with their families if their owners would make some effort?

The Humane Society of Greenwood is working to provide solutions that will prevent people from choosing to bring their pets to the shelter.  We offer a spay and neuter clinic.  We offer obedience training for dogs.  We offer to educate those who don’t know there are options for solving their pet problem.

Do you know what Greenwood’s current method is for dealing with its overpopulation of dogs and cats?  Killing them.  It’s been that way for years.  And why not?  It’s cheap and expedient.  So it must be a good system.  It is taking care of the problem, right?

Not even close.  It’s a matter of exponential math.  This system will never work.

More importantly, what sort of mindset prevails that would accept animals being discarded like trash?  I think it is a symptom of a more serious, big-picture problem within a community.  Are we kind or are we callous?  Where do we draw the line on compassion?  Responsibility?  Accountability?  It may begin with an uncaring attitude towards animals, but who will fall victim next?  Anyone or anything that is weaker and dependent on others is at risk.

To make a change for the better each Greenwood resident and our local government has to be aware and believe that this is a problem worthy of action. Some would say increase adoptions.  Although they provide the greatest reward, they are not the solution.  Right now we couldn’t possibly adopt out as many as are coming in.  Adoptions are simply a sweet byproduct, not a means to end the problem.  No, this is a “front end” issue.  We’ve received almost 2,000 animals since January 1, 2003.

The majority of the animals that enter our doors are puppies and kittens.  It seems that most are born into the world, live a few weeks, start to get their “sea legs,” and then are put to death.

Help me to understand.  How can anyone be content to know that this goes on every day and not be moved to want to stop it?  Even more astonishing are those who know about the problem and actually continue to perpetuate it?  Is it going to take witnessing a healthy, playful puppy or kitten being euthanized to “open eyes to see?”  I assure you that if you view this procedure--and you have a heart--you will never forget it.  And you will pray that you could.

 One recent afternoon a nicely dressed, young man came to our office.  In his arms was a cardboard box with cut-out air holes.  Inside the box were three kittens.  “My cat keeps having babies!” he complained.

Our Kennel Manager, Annie Reed, asked for the gentleman’s driver’s license and began to fill out the necessary paperwork.  Thinking that the transaction was complete, the man began gathering his things to walk out the door.  Annie said, “Sir!  You have to sign these release forms.”

In haste he scribbled his signature, but neglected to read what he was signing.  Annie cautioned him, “You need to read what you’re signing.”

“Why?”

“Because it says that I may have to put these kittens to sleep.  We’re overcrowded and there’s a good chance they may not get adopted.”

“What do you mean?  I thought this was a Humane Society.”

“It is the Humane Society.  We’re doing all that we can.  But animals are being brought in every day and we just don’t have the room to keep them all.”

He snatched his driver’s license out of her hand and sarcastically declared, “Well I’ll just let them go free outside where at least they’ll have a chance!”

Annie paused and calmly replied, “You’re right.  I’m sure at six or seven weeks of age they’re excellent hunters and will manage to feed themselves.  Of course that is if they don’t first become another animal’s meal.  Last week we found a young kitten in the nearby woods that had been torn up by a raccoon.  The skin on one side of its body had been neatly removed and its intestines and organs pulled out and left in a pile.

“Or they could be hit by a car, which happens often around here, and die.  Or they could suffer a slow death from a contagious illness that no one will treat.  Or if they’re lucky enough to reach adulthood and become feral cats, they could be caught in a trap, experience the terror of that experience, and then be euthanized.  Of course they will have already produced more generations of feral cats that I will have to kill.  Is that the kind of ‘freedom’ that you want for your kittens?  All in all, you’ve perpetuated the problem.”

Thankfully Annie had the man’s attention.  She took that opportunity to further educate him.  “Are these kittens weaned from the mother cat?”

“Yes.  They are eating on their own.”

“Be prepared.  In about 65 to 75 days your female cat will have another litter.”

“What?  Are you kidding?!”  He was genuinely surprised.

“No.  Cats can go back into heat, even while they’re nursing.  That’s why you must get the mother cat spayed now and stop the cycle.”

Annie gave the man a certificate that entitled him to a discount on a spay surgery at our clinic.  As of today he hasn’t called to make an appointment.  I suppose we’ll see him in a few months … holding another cardboard box with cut-out air holes.