Reporter-News Archives

Thursday, October 22, 1998

Big Spring cleans up animal shelter

By ROY A. JONES II and CHINA LONG

Staff Writers

BIG SPRING - What began two months ago as an apparent attempt to shut down the Big Spring Humane Society's animal shelter has backfired.

A video sent anonymously to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals resulted in some unwanted, statewide publicity; however, it brought out the best in residents of Howard County and the surrounding area.

Despite what the video showed, the animal shelter is not going to the dogs, officials said.

Actually, it is doing better than ever before, thanks to the scores of pet lovers who agreed with the shelter's compassionate policies - and demonstrated it by adopting animals by the dozens.

The video, which showed conditions at the shelter in early August, was sent to the SPCA, which responded by sending an inspector, Bobby French, for a surprise visit.

French declared the crowded conditions at the shelter "deplorable."

"Our shelter was crowded because we have a no-kill policy," admitted Margaret Lloyd, longtime animal advocate.

French met with the board of directors of the shelter and outlined suggestions for bringing down the population from more than 350 animals. Not surprisingly, he recommended that many of the animals, primarily dogs, be euthanized.

Directors arched their backs at the suggestion.

"We don't put down animals unless they are not healthy, and that is the best thing we can do for them. If they're healthy, we'll take care of them until we can find them a good home," Lloyd said.

Instead of adopting French's euthanasia suggestion, the board opted to publicize its plight. It asked the community to become "foster parents" to the animals to alleviate the overcrowding. The shelter also offered "bargain" rates for adoption.

In more instances than not, the "foster parents" became so attached to the pets they wound up adopting them - which was exactly what directors had hoped would happen.

In just two months, the shelter has brought the population down to 150, which it can manage easily, Lloyd said.

"We did not have to put one healthy animal to sleep," she said. Approximately 50 of the dogs found new owners in Midland, while the rest were adopted locally. Only about 25 had to be put to sleep.

"They were animals that were sick when they were picked up," she said. "In each case, the vets recommended that was the most humane thing to do."

Last week, French was back for another unannounced visit, and he was surprised by what he found.

"He was impressed we had done so much in such a short period," said Fran Turrentine, another director.

Turrentine and Lloyd said they do not understand the motive behind the anonymous complaint.

"But whatever they planned, they helped us make people aware of all the things we have done out there," Turrentine said.

Another ploy also backfired, she said. Not only did the person contact the SPCA, but he or she also put the information about the crowded conditions on the Internet.

"As a result we have received donations and encouragement from people from Maine to Washington state," Turrentine said.

"We've probably received more than 50 donations, from $1 or $2 all the way up to $200, and from dozens of states," Lloyd said. "Plus, every single message I've seen has encouraged us in what we are doing. I haven't heard one negative comment."

"We're well on our way to meeting our goals, but we continue to need the support of the community," Turrentine said.

Founded 16 years ago with the help of the late Dorothy Garrett, longtime Big Spring civic leader, the Big Spring Humane Society currently has an annual budget of about $100,000, all of which is raised by directors through donations and through adoption fees.

French indicated he will be back for another inspection in a couple of months. Lloyd predicted he won't find a doggone thing wrong.

<I>Roy Jones can be reached at 676-6728 or (800) 588-6397 or jonesr@abinews.com<I>