Hill County citizens are in desperate need of a county wide animal shelter, a nucleus
for proactive animal control. An animal
shelter serves multiple purposes. While
lives of dogs and cats can be saved through a shelter adoption program, the shelter’s
function is much broader than this.
An animal shelter allows the county to strongly state we are taking a proactive
approach to animal control and pet overpopulation.
A county shelter stands as a physical affirmation that the county officials
are serving the citizens by providing this much needed service.
Pet overpopulation will not be overcome by the addition of an animal shelter
alone. Only through the primary programs
working simultaneously can overpopulation of companion animals be controlled. The needed programs are Spay/Neuter
programs, Education, and Legislation.
Hill County Paw Pals has initiated a low cost spay/neuter program and ongoing education
for county citizens. We have no enforcement
authority, however, and look to Hill County law enforcement officials to actively
enforce existing State of Texas animal control laws.
Introduction of further proactive animal control ordinances have proven successful
in overcoming pet overpopulation in other areas.
Thus, in thinking an animal shelter has the sole purpose of sheltering dogs and
cats, the paradigm must be shifted to viewing the shelter as a nucleus for proactive
animal control. If we continue to ignore
pet overpopulation, it will only continue to worsen—burdening our communities and
citizens with its’ inherent liabilities (Health, Economic, Legal, and Safety). Action is needed now before a preventable
tragedy occurs. We’ve already had multiple
“wake-up” calls as warnings with several incidents that could have easily become
tragic. Please support the efforts
of Hill County Paw Pals in facilitating the installation of a county animal shelter.
Visit
www.helphillcountyanimals.com or call (254) 580-0679.