The City of San Angelo released September data on Animal Shelter intake and the disposition of shelter pets. SALive noted the problem of puppies from unaltered pets as a major contributor to shelter overpopulation.
SALive did not report that one Husky had seven puppies in city care in early June, after two previous stays in the shelter. Concho Valley PAWS veterinarian had two months to spay this dog but did not.
The City's statistics do not show the number of unaltered animals in shelter care nor the number of puppies.
SALive also mentioned the high number of stray animals. This came after years of choking off pet intake.
Friends shared experiences where they tried to do the right thing by stray dogs, calling the police non-emergency line, asking Animal Control Officers to respond and being refused service. One did so under their employment with a major San Angelo business. In each case loose dogs remained loose dogs.
Shelter Chief Morgan Chegwidden and PAWS Director Jenie Wilson spoke about the importance of spay/neuter but did not provide SALive readers with information or options on options for low cost spay/neuter surgery. They did say PAWS would provide a spay/neuter coupon for $20 for "owner released" shelter animals.
When asked recently which veterinarians accept PAWS spay/neuter coupons, neither the Animal Shelter or PAWS provided that information.
The Shelter has long been aware of the need to spay/neuter pets in their care. They could and should provide statistics on the reproductive status of shelter pets and if any animals in their care give birth in the shelter.
Remaining intact is shelter leadership, its adoption contractor and SALive's serving as the city's voice. Any journalist "encouraging citizens to take advantage of the low-cost spay/neuter services offered in San Angelo" would share more than PAWS contact information. There are other rescues in town where low cost spay/neuter clinics are an operation strength (Critter Shack Rescue). That is not the case with PAWS, despite its new building with the city's former veterinary surgical equipment.
Update: Concho Valley Homepage ran the city press release with a few simple edits. By following the city's exclusive pushing of PAWS Concho Valley Homepage was also unable to find other low cost spay/neuter options and inform citizens.
PAWS spay/neuter vouchers are good for 45 days. What is the average wait time at a PAWS participating vet for spay/neuter surgery? How many vouchers expire unused?
Update 10-12-22: Texas law has long required shelter pets to be spayed/neutered before adoption and provides methods for agencies to address adopters failure to provide evidence that they spayed/neutered their pet as required..
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