More pets loose in the streets

Tough economic times have induced the Liberal Police Department's Animal Enforcement and Animal Shelter to see an increase in dogs running loose within the city's limits.

Rod Urwin, an animal enforcement officer with the LPD, directs services at the shelter. He said dogs at large are a serious problem.

“It really has grown since the economic problems have hit,” said Urwin. “We have seen an impact on animal surrenders. The number has risen. It is not just here but I've talked to other directors in the state."

Urwin believes people struggle to pay for food and the cost to care for an
animals. Instead of bringing the animal to the shelter for proper care, people let their animals run loose.”

Urwin urges community members with economic troubles, or who wish to no longer care for their animals, to bring the animal to the shelter. Officers at the shelter will take the animal in at a $20 surrender fee and the individual will sign a contract. The contract legally states the pet is owned by the City of Liberal and the pet can be put up for adoption.

The $20 surrender fee goes towards the care and food for the animal while in the shelter.

Animals caught by animal enforcement officers are brought back to the shelter located on County Estates Road. Immediately after being taken in, the officers investigate to find the owners. Officers look for collar tags and scan for pet microchips.

“One of the officers picked up a small terrier (Friday morning) and he had a dog tag on him,” said Urwin. “We were able to find the guy and he is going to come out and get his animal.”

If no owner is located, the animal becomes property of the city after three business days.

The city established a city ordinance against dogs at large. However, Urwin and his department operates on a case-by-case basis. Repercussions vary. Violators may receive a written warning or a notice to appear in court.

In 2009, the shelter took in 1,301 animals in the likes of cats, dogs, livestock, a rabbit, wildlife animals and birds.

“The goat that we had, we picked it up running down the street downtown,” said Urwin. “We brought it out here and took care of it for three days. Finally, the owner shows up and we redeemed it back to the owner. We had a cockatoo. Some how we ended up with a cockatoo and a parakeet and we adopted them out.”

The shelter animals up for adoption are listed on AdoptaPet.com. Photos and information for the pets are listed. Volunteer Kelley Romme updates the listing for the shelter.

For those interested in adopting an animal, Urwin encourages people to visit the shelter.

Robert Olinger, animal enforcement officer for the Liberal Police Department, holds Chloe Friday morning at the Liberal Animal Shelter. Animal enforcement officers capture dogs, and other animals, running loose and take them back to the shelter. The shelter will keep the animals for 72 hours before looking for adoption options. Photo by Laura Eastes

“What I recommend and what my staff recommends, is you bring the entire family, your husband, your kids," said Urwin. "If you have another dog, bring the dog. That is your family or your pack. Find an animal you like and we will bring it out so that it can interact with the family. What your basically doing is adopting another child.”

The shelter charges a $12 adoption fee and a $10 fee for the pet to obtain a rabies vaccination. New owners must also pay to spay or neuter their pet. Dogs cost $70; cats cost $40. State law requires the neutering and vaccination before adoptions. Once the neuter fee is paid to the shelter, the pet owner will have a voucher to take to any veterinarian in the county for the shot and procedure to be done. In the end, the shelter only obtains the $12 fee.

Urwin said 85 percent of the shelter's dogsare adopted, transferred to a rescue group or redeemed back to the owner. The remaining dogs are euthanized usually because of injury, age or illness. The shelter is a limited euthanasia facility.

The shelter works with rescue groups. Urwin credits the Great Plains Angels for Animals, a non-profit organization, for finding good homes to sheltered animals.

LPD animal enforcement officers also enforce state and city laws pertaining to animals. Officers are trained to investigate into animal cruelty. Urwin's department also conducts educational programs for local schools and works with volunteers.

For full article please see Sunday's Times

© 2008 Southwest Times