By MARK MCGEE
People may love their animals, but for some, due to economic conditions the quality of that love is being tested as people are choosing between their pets and feeding their children.
It is a nationwide problem and it has been an issue in Bedford County for at least the last two years. In her 10 years with the Bedford County Animal Control director Josie Lowery has never seen it this bad.
“It’s a very big problem and not just for Bedford County,” Lowery said. “It is a problem for a lot of Southern states in general.
“We try to accommodate all dogs and cats, but with that being said there are so many strays we can only take so many in because we only have so many kennels.”
While Lowery can’t solve economic problems she has a simple method for pet owners to control having multiple animals to care for – spay and neuter.
“In a six-week period we have spayed and neutered over 120 animals,” Lowery said. “The biggest thing people can do is to spay and neuter their pets.”
She points out the county is lucky to have a spay and neuter clinic located in Shelbyville.
“If you have a need they have grants to help,” Lowery said. “Sometimes you might now have to pay a dime.’
Lowery said her department also receives supplies for animals and those items are available to those in need just by asking.
At one point this summer her department picked up seven stray dogs in 45 minutes. She and her staff have stopped accepting animals that are in a home because there is no more room.
“Even if the capacity were for 500 animals they couldn’t get ahead,” Lowery said. “An explosion in the number of strays is a widespread issue that has been exacerbated by the economy. We have stopped intakes for a little bit
“It wasn’t like this ten years ago but has become the new norm. No one seems to have an answer. Animal control opens intake for a few days and keeps a few kennels open for public safety issues but it doesn’t take long to fill them up.”
Lowery said the city and the humane society are also at capacity.
“There is no place for these animals,” Lowery said. “We along with New Destiny, Shelbyville Animal Control and the Shelbyville-Bedford County Humane Society have joined together to try to help the county.
“Maybe somebody just needs a bag of dog food. We have all kinds of outreach programs. We just received a big donation from Rutherford Paws We filled out truck up. We are willing to help wherever we can to try to keep that pet in a home.”
