LAWTON, Okla_Animal rescues
and shelters in Comanche
County are bursting at
the seams. They're overcrowded with dogs and cats that have been abandoned. But
if you'd love a pet for your family, that's good news for you. On Saturday,
you'll be able to adopt one as part of National Pet Adoption Day. You'll be
able to get up close and personal with the dogs and cats and maybe, even go
home with one.
The Humane Society
of Lawton said it gets hundreds of calls every month about animals that have
been abandoned or abused. Workers say it's getting so bad, they are running out
of places to put them. The last resort is sending them to a kennel, where they
could be put to sleep, something they don't want to do. That's why they hope Saturday's
adoption will bring out good adoptive or foster families.
Shasta and Wiley
are just two of the dogs that you will be able to meet. They share similar back
grounds with another dog, J.J., who was found in terrible shape at the Wichita Mountains
Wildlife Refuge. Unfortunately, their hard-luck stories are all too common.
"There's
only a few fosters that foster dogs with humane society or other rescues. We
are constantly battling trying to rescue them off of death row or from
abandonment or hoarder situations," David King of the Humane Society said.
King said Saturday's
adoption gives people the chance to curb that trend.
"The pets
will actually adopt the people. If they come out here and interact with the
animals, they can see which animals will best suit them. Animals will come up
to them or shy away from some people."
You can also
learn from experts about what it takes from you to take on a pet either
adopting one or providing a foster family.
"Make sure
they understand what the need is for that particular pet. Some of the pets need
extreme patience others may be adaptable right away."
Janie Billingsley
has been fostering and adopting pets for years. She said she hopes a lot turn
out for the adoption.
"People
are really taking animals as part of the family. They're moving them into the
family, they're not just an animal anymore they live in there houses and they
dress up. We talk to them and they talk back to us. They just warm the heart."
If you are
interested in adopting or fostering a pet, just go to the Tractor Supply store
in Lawton, off Northwest
Quanah Parker Trailway. It starts at 10 am and ends at 5 pm. Not only can you
possibly adopt a pet, one of the sponsors will give one lucky winner a new
truck.
While too many
people abandon or abuse pets, animal activists say part of the problem is not
enough people spay or neuter them. It's the one way to cut down on
overpopulation. They also want people to be aware of the commitment of pet
ownership.
