“Can I offer you some constructive criticism?”

“No,” I thought to myself.  I was in no frame of mind to receive any criticism—constructive or otherwise.

The gentleman proceeded to expound about how we did not make it easy for people to turn in animals—either stray or otherwise.  He could not understand why, at times, we had turned people away.  (He neglected to acknowledge that when this had happened, we only requested that the people come back the next day when we would have space.)

Unfortunately for this well-meaning individual, he had chosen the wrong time to express his concerns.  As my emotions began to stir up and my neck and face turned red, I launched a diatribe of counter-complaining.

It wasn’t that I did not understand or agree with his concern, but he had not been walking in my shoes the past three months.  He didn’t know about the number of times each day that we went beyond our physical constraints to help people and their animals.  Why, in fact, we had just done it for him …

His family had come by the previous Saturday morning with a stray kitten that they could no longer keep.  I explained that we didn’t have any cages to house the kitten, but if they came back Monday we could have room.  (We would have to put a cat to sleep to make the room of course.)  Realizing that a compromise was becoming difficult to reach, an officer from our Board of Directors who overheard the conversation offered to take the kitten home until Monday.  Hey!  It worked for me!  Problem solved.

So, what I was hoping to hear from this man was gratitude or encouragement; not criticism, because we were able to accommodate his family’s dilemma.  I did not want to hear a complaint about something that I was already frustrated about myself.

On the day this is being written, we are housing 146 dogs and cats.  We do not have 146 cages.  Daily, we painstakingly strategize to find a balance between giving every adoptable animal the chance to find a home, and also being able to take in all of Greenwood’s unwanted animals. Although necessary, another obstacle we face is that we are obligated by law to keep animals for an assigned number of days before a disposition is determined.  And this is why, at times, we end up in a gridlock.

From October 1, 2002 through January 12, 2003, we received 881 dogs and cats.  That is an unbelievable amount of animals to pass through our small facility.  Additionally, the fall and winter months are considered the “slow” time.  Imagine what we will face in the spring and summer …

So what is the solution?

We could take the more economical path chosen by other shelters and simply put more animals to sleep.  The product used to euthanize animals is much cheaper than what it costs to house, feed and care for them.  Is that what you would want us to do?

As long as I am the Director, that is not an option.  In fact, below are the goals that the Humane Society of Greenwood plans to achieve:

• Steadily decrease the percentage of animals euthanized (put to sleep)

• Receive every animal brought to our doors by improving and enlarging Holding Area facilities

• Increase staffing so proper care can be provided for the additional animals we house

• Establish an infirmary where sick shelter animals can be treated, rather than put to sleep

• Develop a corps of Humane Society Cruelty officers to enforce existing state animal protection laws

• Provide educational programs for schools and community groups

• Accelerate spay and neuter campaigns

 Success of these objectives will produce the ultimate goal, which is to be a No-Kill Sanctuary.

I have cried with those who are heartbroken because their life’s circumstances prevented them from keeping their dog or cat.  Watching them say “good-bye” is almost too much to bear.  I cried with the man whose wife had just passed away and he couldn’t care for their two cats by himself.  I cried with the woman whose elderly dog died and she wanted to donate his bed, bowls and toys to us.  I cried with the woman whose 12-year-old dog died; because of her illness and his size, she was unable to dispose of him.  So she brought him to us.  As we were lifting the dog out of the vehicle, I commented on how pretty the blanket was that she had wrapped around his body.  She tearfully asked if we would keep it on him—it was his Christmas blanket.

All employees share deep sorrow with these people and their animals.  The least that we can do is ease their minds that we’re going to do everything that we can to help. I assure you, none of us want to make it “hard” on people to bring us their animals.  In many instances, the animals are better off with us than in their previous circumstances.

Do I wish that I had responded to that gentleman in a different way?  Oh, yeah.  It was an experience that helped me to see more clearly.  I don’t view those moments as defeat, but rather opportunities to strengthen my resolve.  I invite each of you to join with the Humane Society of Greenwood in becoming the leader in statewide animal welfare reform.

 Karen Pettay