'Something has to be done'
HOW TO HELP
To donate to the Lakeland Animal Shelter’s “60 in 60” medical expenses fundraising drive, go to www.firstgiving.com/60in60 or send a check to Lakeland Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 1000, Elkhorn, WI 53121.
Donations of food, litter, toys, paper towels or bleach can be dropped off at the shelter, 3551 Highway 67, Elkhorn. All donations are tax deductible.
For more information, call (262) 723-1000 or go to www.lakelandanimalshelter.org.
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In a cramped room in a trailer at the rear of the Lakeland Animal Shelter, veterinarian Sandra Miller (l) and shelter medical coordinator Sue Payson spay a cat. The shelter is trying to raise money to cover the costs of medical care for the year for the animals they treat.
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A dog lies passively at the door of his kennel at the Lakeland Animal Shelter on 01-15-09. The shelter is trying to raise money to cover the costs of medical treatment for the animals during the year.
ELKHORN — The slumping economy is putting pressure on the Lakeland Animal Shelter, which is bursting at the seams with abandoned cats and dogs and struggling to pay for the medications, vaccinations and surgeries needed to ready them for adoption.
“Last year was pretty interesting,” said Alexandrea Dahlstrom, fundraising director at the shelter. “It was above and beyond what we’d ever seen before—just out of control.”
The shelter took in more than 2,700 cats and dogs last year, she said.
“It was a record,” Dahlstrom said. “We expected the numbers to increase (as the economy worsened), but as many animals as we took in, we did not expect that.”
In tough economic times, people take a hard look at what they can live without, often making the painful decision to get rid of their pets, she said.
“It’s sad but true,” Dahlstrom said. “And it crossed all of our minds, but we didn’t know how it would go.
“We had a feeling that it would be bad, and that’s a feeling that pretty much has been confirmed.”
It’s impossible to gauge the number of cats and dogs surrendered or abandoned as a result of the economy, she said, but the flood of animals coming through the doors certainly is a situation the shelter has never encountered.
“It seemed a few years ago, everyone was getting a pet, everyone was getting a dog, getting a cat, everyone wanted to help,” Dahlstrom said. “But now, it’s a hard time.”
The shelter also incurred more than $88,000 in veterinary expenses last year, she said.
“That was a record, too,” Dahlstrom said.
The shelter provides medical care for each cat and dog that comes through its doors. Each animal is vaccinated, tested for disease, treated for illness and spayed or neutered, and injured animals get the surgery needed to mend their wounds, she said.
“We can’t give an animal less medical care,” Dahlstrom said. “And we’re not turning animals away. We’re not going to do that.”
At the end of 2008, the shelter found itself stuck between fulfilling its mission to care for unwanted, neglected and abused animals and having enough money for bleach to clean the cages, she said.
“It’s more sad than anything,” Dahlstrom said. “It’s something we’ve all been working really hard against, and then when this happens, you get kind of stuck.
“Something has to be done.”
That something is to appeal to the community for donations, she said.
Lakeland Animal Shelter is conducting a “60 in 60” fundraising drive to raise at least $60,000 in 60 days to cover the majority of medical expenses the shelter expects to incur this year.
A $5 donation would cover vaccinations for one cat or dog. A $50 donation would cover spay or neuter surgery for one cat or dog. A donation of $100 or more would help defray the cost of amputation for an injured cat or dog.
The fundraising drive began Jan. 1 and runs through March 1.
“It’ll just give us a sense of security knowing we’ll be able to keep operating,” Dahlstrom said of the fundraising drive. “We won’t be worrisome when an animal comes to us injured.”
Feb 7, 2009 at 12:50 p.m.
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In response to wahoo_35, to suggest the shelter "trim the population level" is suggesting they just destroy some of their perfectly adoptable pets. How humane is that? While, many shelters have to make the unfortunate decision to euthanize some of their population, this shelter does everything it can to NOT have to that. While it is sometimes a necessity it is NOT a solution. This shelter is not suggesting to "save every animal" just care for the ones they can. These animals have a right to life too and euthanzing them to make things more convenient is just wrong. Why don't you go to the shelter and pick the ones you think should be "trimmed".
Feb 2, 2009 at 8:07 p.m.
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Some of your comments are knocking the veterinary profession. Keep that in mind when your veterinarian is there for you during an emergency or in a time of need for your pet. I bet you won't complain about the price of your pets' health then.
Jan 18, 2009 at 9:14 a.m.
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"I have donated to Lakeland Animal Shelter since 1981. My suggestion is to upgrade your website to spurn adoptions and fundraising."
sweetness, "spurn" means to reject something; is that what you meant to say??
Jan 17, 2009 at 10:53 p.m.
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If an animal population becomes a problem one answer is to trim the population to a level that is manageable. The shealter can not save every animal and they should not feel bad if some animals need to be put down to improve the care of other animals.
Jan 17, 2009 at 9:50 p.m.
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I had to move this year and i have two dogs it took me 4 months to find someone that would let me have them. I don't mind paying extra on a deposit they are my family. Landloards are making it very difficult for animals as well. Most places wont rent with pets these days. I know there are some bad apples out there and they reuin it for the rest of us. And the only vaccine you Have to Have is Rabies.
Jan 17, 2009 at 8:02 p.m.
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I have donated to Lakeland Animal Shelter since 1981. My suggestion is to upgrade your website to spurn adoptions and fundraising. I will gladly give money to this cause (watch for me to show up this week)as I have adopted dogs since 1981. I feel that a "mutt" has added dimension to my personality and made my existance that much more meaningful. I encourage all Walworth County residents to give any spare change, dollars or checks to this cause.
Jan 17, 2009 at 7:26 p.m.
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My heart weeps when I see stories like this. Animals feel cold and hunger just like humans do; leaving them at the shelter when times get a little tough just isn't the answer.
For those who want to vaccinate and medicate their pets at home, just do your research and talk to a vet before you start. My vet told me that even though those medicines are the same as what they get, they aren't guaranteed. If your pet gets the illness that you have medicated against, your vet is going to charge for the treatment. If your pet received the vaccination or medication at the vet and they still get the disease, your vet will most likely cover the cost of any treatment as a result. My vet operates this way, and I bet most do.
Jan 17, 2009 at 5:01 p.m.
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mrsjoe: yes I saw that show and it says on horse dewormer that it is NOT for dogs...you need to read the label and follow directions. However administering the proper meds to a animal is perfectly safe. I learned helping out on a friends farm how to give shots. It has saved tons of money from having vet fees and it is perfectly safe when you follow the directions.
Jan 17, 2009 at 4:57 p.m.
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I have for years giving my own shots to cats and dogs. They are the same as the vet gets ! The only shot I don't give myself is the rabies, as by WI law you have to have a vet give them and record it and issue the tag. I have never had a problem,with the distemper or other shots I have given and it is much easier and cheaper once you learn how. Farm & Fleet sells the vaccines as well as many vet catalogs such as WI based Dr.s Foster & Smith.
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But be sure to know how to do it properly first. As mentioned ask a farmer or vet how. My vet even showed me how to micro chip my own animals.
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As for bleach...I think as long as you are using it as a disinfectant and let any area dry completely before having the animal touch it, it should be OK. I have always used bleach to disinfect cages, food dishes, bedding and cat boxes. Never had a problem.
Jan 17, 2009 at 4:45 p.m.
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Kilgor720, bleach can be dangerous if left open to be tipped over or in solution that might be ingested, but that's true for any animal. Bleach is safe when used correctly.
http://cats.about.com/od/faqsonlitterbox...
Jan 17, 2009 at 2:08 p.m.
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Hey e'vil'housewife: Didn't you see the People's court episode where the lady gave another lady's puppy HORSE medicine and killed it! things go wrong. I suggest leave it to the professionals!
Jan 17, 2009 at 12:45 p.m.
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Gee, they have a vet on staff, and they aren't aware that Bleach can be deadly to cats? How strange.
Jan 17, 2009 at 12:24 p.m.
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Um, for you do it yourselfers, Fleet Farm sells almost every dog vaccination except rabies. Even bordatella. Giving shots is not that hard, if you need help ask a farmer to show you. They sell for about 3-7 bucks each, meaning you get your dog's annual vacs for about $13.
Kitty vacs too. All my barn cats get their vacs for about $30, and I have 8 barn cats.
Jan 17, 2009 at 11:27 a.m.
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www.nowisconsinpuppymills.com
Jan 17, 2009 at 11:25 a.m.
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janesvillean, I'd like to know who the vets are who charge on a sliding scale. I've contacted a number of vets here and in the surrounding area inquiring to see if I could get a discounted rate on the normal procedures like vaccinations and spay/neuters for dogs that I foster and couldn't even get any replies. I'm willing to pay full price for services my own animals receive there but rescues and shelters do operate with a very limited budget and expenses do have to be watched very carefully. I have had fosters who have had to be vetted here and I can guarantee you that I was charged full price for those services and most of the time have paid for that out of my own pocket.
Jan 17, 2009 at 11:16 a.m.
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There has been much ado in the media re: the kind of dog the Obama's get. If they don't adopt from the D.C. Animal Shelter: impeach him!
Jan 17, 2009 at 10:49 a.m.
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i could not give up my pets either , it would be heart breaking , but if i had to make a choice to feed my cats or feed my kids , i would choose the kids ,, and as for medical , i believe the vets do charge to much , for shots nad stuff , you know poeple who have been layedoff are having a hard time i ;m lucky to make my monthly bills and and still have money for food , but some place do not care , if you can not make ends meet , and yes i have been layed off and getting unemployment of 170 a wk , but i do the best i can , and so far nobody has had to go with out , except at christmas time when we could not give our kids and grandkids the stuff we wanted to.... but i know my cats get there food just like us we just made cut backs on other things ,,,, like no cable , we use rabbitears and watch movies ,
and pretty soon we will only have movies to watch , because i can not afford to go buy the converter box iwill need for my tv,,,, but i still take care of my pets , and my kids ,
Jan 17, 2009 at 10:10 a.m.
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This is a national problem. We just rescued a Jack Russell mix from across the Colorado River in Arizona, and they were bursting at the seems. Lots of folks just take them out in the desert here and let them go. Pretty brutal.
Jan 17, 2009 at 9:50 a.m.
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my rescue dog is the best dog i have ever had. he loves us so much he would do anything for us. i feel so bad for the dogs, it is a horrible situation. if you have a neighbor who you know is laid off or having a hard financial time, buy an extra bag of dog food and drop it at their door. you may be saving their pet from going to a shelter : )
Jan 17, 2009 at 9:11 a.m.
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As I type this my two rescued dogs are playing with a toy. I honestly believe rescued dogs know that they where rescued. I encourage everyone to look for locally abandoned animals when looking for a new pet. Petfinder.com lets you look from home, or most shelters have a web page.
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I know my vet volunteers his time and skills and only charges cost. I do not mind paying full price so he can stay in business and keep volnteering.
Jan 17, 2009 at 8:53 a.m.
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Note that the veterinarians are probably doing this "at cost" or close to it. Many will accommodate lower-income owners with a sliding-scale fee.
Jan 17, 2009 at 8:49 a.m.
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I agree with nutty; $5 for vaccinations??? I pay obout $65 for my dog's vaccinations. Nice mark up. And they wonder why people can't afford to care for their pets.
Jan 17, 2009 at 8:03 a.m.
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Wow, I agree with Sahmama- people stop taking on pets if you can`t afford them! I too, could never give up a pet. I can understand if someone becomes homeless..I sure hope they can raise enough money.
Jan 17, 2009 at 7:25 a.m.
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To me my dog is not only a pet but a family member. Giving her away is not an option. It is so sad to know ALL places are full like this. IF only people would stop breeding new puppies and kitties all the time just to make a quick buck.
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