When Will It End?

We hope the image to the right bothers you as much as it bothers us. Unfortunately, this is the grim reality that every humane society has to deal with on a daily basis. Barrel full after barrel full of euthanized animals, euthanized through no fault of their own. Euthanized simply for reasons such as are listed on the excuses, excuses page.

Maybe the brown dog in the one barrel grew to be too big. Maybe the tiger striped cat lying on the very top "didn't match the owner's decor". Maybe the little black puppy was chewing on something that the owner didn't like. For whatever reason these animals were turned in to us, we were forced to destroy them simply because there are not enough homes for all of them.

All these animals used to belong to someone. All these animals were carelessly thrown out by that same someone that didn't care enough to be a responsible pet owner and have their pet spayed or neutered. Or, these same irresponsible owners didn't bother to keep their pets confined in a fenced in yard or on a leash. Or, for many who came in to our shelter as a stray, their owner didn't care enough to attach an identification tag to their collar, if they were even wearing one. Just the simple act of wearing an ID tag could have returned many a stray to their owner.

So, once again, we are left with the grizzly task of destroying these beautiful animals. We cradle them in our arms as their lives ebb away, and apologize to them for man's inhumanity. When their owners have given up on them, we are there, if only for a limited time, to show them compassion, to surround them with love, and if necessary, to painlessly end their suffering.

Our shelter's biggest goal is to close its doors for good. But we can't do that without your help. We are asking every citizen in Clermont County to help us control the pet overpopulation problem. If you own a pet, please have it spayed or neutered. If you own a pet, please keep it on a leash or in a confined area such as a fenced in yard.

If you are considering breeding your dog or cat, please take a good look at the image at the right of this page. Chances are one of the animals that YOU breed will end up at OUR shelter. Are you willing to take that risk for a few bucks?

If you are considering adopting a pet for your family, please consider adopting an animal from your local humane society. You are literally saving a life!

None of us likes to perform euthanasia. None of us likes to take in literally hundreds of homeless dogs and cats each month. But until ALL of us realize that is all our problem and that only we as a community can fix it, the unfortunate fact is that animals will continue to be destroyed in Clermont County by the thousands every year.

Won't you help us make a difference? We could start a wonderful trend right here, right now. Call your local Veterinary office tomorrow and make an appointment to get your pet spayed or neutered. Not only will you be helping to reduce the pet overpopulation problem, you will have a healthier pet for it.

It's a man's sympathy with all creatures that first makes him truly a man. Until he extends his circle of compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.
....Albert Schweitzer

Remember, we need you and the animals need us all!