The cat and dog days of summer

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Bulldogs for Alley Cats and Hardin Co. Dog Warden address animal welfare

By Paula Pyzik Scott

A recent Ada-area social media post asked for advice dealing with, let us say, the “sanitary” needs of the seven cats the resident has been feeding. Having just been to the veterinarian with a cat that lives in a small one-bedroom apartment, I was prepared to pass along the vet’s advice that they need a litter box plus one for every cat. That makes eight litter boxes for this scenario.

You may laugh at this suggestion, but the plight of cats and dogs who are lost, found or only minimally cared for is a serious and ongoing frustration. On Facebook on the Hardin County Dog Warden page, 45810 news group and the Bulldogs for Alley Cats group, there is a steady flow of information on animals who either need a “furever” home or to be reunited with their owners.

In Hardin County, Dog Warden Cody Blair has mostly abandoned dogs in his care, working with a budget that is solely based on dog tag and adoption fees. Cats, particularly those that are not socialized with people, face a bleaker future than dogs. There are no facilities in the county that take unwanted cats.

BULLDOGS FOR ALLEY CATS

Kim Brokemeir, an Ada resident who has helped create the Bulldogs for Alley Cats group and who advocates for trap, neuter, release (TNR) for stray cats in the village, emphasizes that there is strength in numbers: “Everyone knows this is a problem and needs to be addressed… More can be accomplished with a group than individuals working alone.”

Since June, 21 cats–mostly females–from Ada have been spayed and neutered. Even “Polly the police cat”--a familiar feline to those who frequent on West Buckeye near Main St.–has been spayed.

Brokemeir has thoroughly researched the costs and scheduling options available spaying/neutering cats. She has been using a Columbus facility that provides $50-60 neuter/spay services as compared to $200 at a veterinarian. Cats are then ear-tipped to show their reproductive days are over.

Area residents can help in many ways, from setting traps, dropping off and/or picking up cats from appointments, or by making a donation. There is a bank account for this purpose at Quest Federal Credit Union. Checks can be made out to “Bulldogs for Alley Cats.”

To contact Brokemeir, email [email protected] or visit Bulldogs for Alley Cats on Facebook.

HARDIN COUNTY DOG WARDEN

A conversation with Cody Blair, Hardin County Dog Warden, is also eye-opening. He notes that 9 out of 10 dogs picked up are abandoned. The 19-dog capacity of the county dog shelter at 49 Jones Rd. is typically full with no room for surrenders.

Ada gets a compliment from Blair, who says the community does a good job of watching out for lost and stray dogs. Quiet country roads are where dogs are most likely to be dumped. Blair encourages individuals to take photos and license plate numbers when they suspect dumping.

Blair regularly posts on Facebook the dogs that are available for adoption. In July the facility hosted “Doggo Days” as an opportunity for people to see the operation and meet dogs available for adoption. Five dogs were adopted as a result and another four were adopted this week.  

The dog warden notes that the entire budget of the department comes from dog tag fees and adoption fees. If everyone got an annual $20 tag for their dog, “We’d have all the funding we need!” he comments.

Another way to support the welfare of these animals is to volunteer at the shelter. Volunteers play with, walk and bathe dogs, which makes them better candidates for adoption. Blair invites everyone to visit the shelter to explore this opportunity.

RESOURCES

Bulldogs for Alley Cats

Hardin County Dog Warden

Ohio SPCA & Humane Society

 

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