Columbia County Pennsylvania Needs an Animal Shelter

Columbia County Pennsylvania has a population of roughly 65,000 people (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, 2008). There are approximately 24,915 households (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000). 39\% of US households are dog owners and 33\% are cat owners. Of these owners, 33\% own 2 or 3 dogs, and 56\% own more than one cat (Source: Humane Society of the United States, 2009-2010). From this we can estimate that there are at the very least 9,716 dogs and 8,221 cats living in households in Columbia County (based on one dog or one cat for each of the average percentage of dog and cat owners in the U.S.), with the actual estimate being higher to include households with more than one dog or cat. The total amount of legally licensed dogs in Columbia County is 11,300 (Source: Columbia County Treasurer's Office, 2009), with the estimate of unlicensed dogs being unknown.

With these kind of numbers, how is it that Columbia County, PA does not have an animal shelter to service it's residents and pets? With only one animal shelter in the immediate area (privately owned, and located in Montour County) that takes a very limited amount of animals into their "no-kill" facility, and does not generally accept strays or surrenders from the general public without being placed on a several month waiting list, where are people to go with an animal they cannot keep? What are residents supposed to do with a stray dog they have come across or a colony of stray cats that are wreaking havoc on their neighborhood? What if someone passes away, gets ill, or has to move and cannot keep their pet(s)? Many of these instances are not situations in which the County Dog Warden or local Animal Control Officers are required to or equipped to handle.

With the economy the way it is, displaced animals are becoming more and more common. Without somewhere to take unwanted pets, many are being left behind in abandoned houses, turned loose on the streets, or dropped off in the woods or on farms. Not only is this cruel to the animals, but it is both a nuisance and potentially a danger to society. These animals can be sick and infect people or pets. Some may be aggressive and cause bodily harm. Those roaming the streets could cause a car accident in the time it takes a professional to respond.

In an ideal world, animals would not be disposable and owners would be responsible. Unfortunately the real world is not always ideal. Animals are often thought of as mere possessions and can be tossed out like yesterday's trash at their owner's whim. Irresponsible people have created the animal overpopulation problem that simply does not allow a home for every pet produced. It is the job of people, therefore, to provide a safe place for these homeless animals. In a county with tens of thousands of dogs and cats, County Officials should be taking measures to effectively handle the situation.

We cannot expect an animal to practice abstinence or spay and neuter themselves to control the population. We cannot expect a domesticated animal to fend for itself out in the world. And we also cannot expect the residents of our county to care for those animals that have been displaced for whatever reason.

County Officials have the means to obtain the State and local funding necessary to take on such an endeavor, but to date they have made it clear that they do not feel it is warranted. As a person who rescues dogs and cats who have nowhere to go, and fields many phone calls and emails of distraught owners who cannot keep their pets, I can say with certainty that it IS warranted.

Private rescue organizations who operate with very limited private funding and foster home networks simply cannot pick up all of the slack. If County Officials would put their phone numbers and email addresses out there for the public to contact in the event of a displaced animal, they would quickly realize the very real problem residents and animals within Columbia County are facing. It is very easy to sit back and say that something is not necessary when you are not on the front lines actively trying to combat the issue.

Today I ask the residents of Columbia County to let their voices be heard. Inform our County Officials that we NEED an animal shelter and that it is their job to put the wheels in motion. With enough local support, we can only hope that those in charge will listen and act accordingly. I, personally, would be willing to assist in any way that I could to see this project successfully to completion. I am sure that animal lovers throughout the county would flock to volunteer their time and energy for such a worthy endeavor. In addition to the State and County funding required to start this project, money to assist with the upkeep and operation of the shelter would be further supplied by private donations, fundraisers, and grants specifically for the purpose. It would not be funded solely by taxpayer dollars.

Columbia County, this is your call to action. Let's not forget God's creatures.