Foster homes for pet rescues needed

To the Editor

In other Missouri communities groups of animal lovers have banded together to significantly lower the kill rate at their local dog pounds by getting the dogs on out of state transports to rescue sites that make sure the dogs are fully vetted, fixed and go to forever homes. As unlikely as it sounds to fellow Missourians, states up north do not have enough pet pups and dogs to meet public demand. I, for one, really want to help those pet less people out!

I have been going to our local pound/shelter for 17 years now. It is easy to see that purebred animals and small adorable puppies find homes quickly. But it is also easy to see that the medium and large size pups and adults rarely find homes. When a pet is adopted the new owner signs a contract stating that they will get that animal fixed within 30 days. This law is usually overlooked resulting in more overpopulation of unwanted dogs. Another concern is how rapidly too many people will give up on a dog for the flimsiest reasons and then dump it in the country of "get rid of it" by some other means.

I do not believe in "no kill shelters." Some dogs are too aggressive or too ill or injured to be saved. I do however believe that we as a community should try to save each and every dog that we can and that we are not doing nearly enough to reduce the euthanasia rate here. The number of good animal loving responsible pet owners in this area is vastly out numbered by people who treat pets as disposable items and often obtain them on a 'whim' without consideration for the expenses involved in the proper care of an animal.

The Pound Officers hold on to the unwanted pets as long as possible ­-- usually far beyond the one week that the law states they must be held if found as strays. There comes a time though when they are forced to euthanize friendly healthy dogs to make room for ones picked up due to strays roaming the town or confiscated due to criminal activity. There is a viable solution to help ease this problem IF people will step forward and commit to helping.

I am a "Road Warrior." This is a large group of unpaid volunteers in many states that help unwanted dogs receive fostering and care and get them on car transports to the rescues up north. I am also part of C. A. P. --Choose Adoption Please. CAP has covered the vetting expenses for foster pets and is reimbursed for actual costs by the rescues who accept our fosters. We have fostered and put on transport 83 pets so far this year alone. Usual fostering time is 2 to 4 weeks. We only have 2 active families fostering at this time and one of them can only foster young puppies. Foster homes are badly needed and I am asking for people to help make my dream of radically reducing pound euthanasia come true by opening their arms and their homes to these pets and giving them a true Second Chance.

You may email me at bhess@ims-1.com

Sylvia Hess

Poplar Bluff, Mo.