Controlling the Pet Population

Did you know at just five-months old a kitten can become pregnant? At just two weeks after giving birth that same cat can become pregnant again.

The result a population explosion.

“Every county is struggling with over population of dogs and cats. 80 percent of the dogs and cats that are born that flood the shelters come from porch cats, community cats. The ones that nobody owns but everybody feeds on their porches. But, it’s also very important to get your pets done inside your home,” said Theresa Hildebrand president of PAWS Muskingum County.

The PAWS organization assists seniors, veterans and low income residents get their pets spayed and neutered, through clinic’s like the Rascal Unit that was set up at the Washington Township Fire Department on Tuesday.

They are also in the beginning stages of putting together an ordinance that will target those not spaying and neutering their animals.

“We’re actually now starting to work the area agency on aging and our local health department we’re going to be putting together ordinances for Muskingum County. We need some ordinances for people especially rental properties for them to be required to spay and neuter their animals,” said Hildebrand. “It is a health problem. It’s very much human health problem. We get so many times people complain about their neighbors feeding 20-30 cats. Well it’s the neighbors yards that end up being the liter box.”

Last year PAWS spayed and neutered 1,400 dogs and cats. The hope is to break 2,000 this year. They will also pick up and deliver your pet through a new van that was donated by the Kappes Family.