Why We All Need Animal Cops

Why We All Need Animal Cops
By Jacqui Odell

How many of us sit glued to our television sets when "Animal Cops" is on Animal Planet? I'm not ashamed to raise my hand. I watch every episode that I can.

With each new episode, I learn something. I also become more frustrated at the lack of available services for our pets.

Picture if you will a scenario: A renter is required to pay a certain amount per each pet; 2 pet maximum. Yet, this renter cannot help but take in animals in need, even going so far as to hide them from her landlord. After all, every dollar helps when one is trying to help animals, plus, being over the permitted amount of pets, she faces legal eviction.

Still, this renter continues to accept animals in need. One night, she receives a young puppy so desperately ill he cannot nurse any longer. A puppy so ill that he requires emergency veterinarian care. He is so weak that he is unable to even hold his head up or drink a bit of water.

There's no vet to be found. Knowing this puppy will likely die that night, the renter does what little she can to keep the puppy warm and comfortable, and waits for him to die.

As I sit and write this, that puppy is sleeping mere inches from me. Yes, I'm anticipating his death tonight. I don't like it, but that's the way it is.

After searching for emergency vet care, or even an open shelter, I came up empty. The one veterinarian within five miles of me has an answering machine with a message to call back during business hours.

Now, if I were living in New York City, or the surrounding areas, which is where I hail from, I could easily call the ASPCA and feel secure that on officer would come and rescue this animal.

But because I live in a tiny town in Alabama, that's not an option.

Thus, this puppy will likely die tonight. As I watch him struggling to breathe, an awful mix of emotions overwhelms me. I'm angry, frustrated, sad, and feeling incredibly helpless. I know I cannot save this puppy.

If even one agency like the ASPCA existed in each county in our country, many more pets could and would be saved.

Here in the South, animals are often looked upon as property. That's one reason we don't have access to such agencies. Animals simply are not a priority here and are not often viewed as pets.

It's very common to drive down any street, country road, even a neighborhood and see dogs chained forever to their doghouses, with little, if any room to exercise.

Another problem we have in Alabama is that it's one of the poorest states in the country. People simply cannot afford to spay or neuter their "property", and feel it's not their responsibility, especially if their pet is male.

The result is litter upon litter of unwanted, abused and neglected animals who otherwise could have made some wonderful pets.

We rescued such a cat a few months back. He was an outdoor kitten, and when his house burned to the ground, his owner threw him and a sibling into a sack and headed for the lake. Somehow, this boy managed to escape not only the sack, but the car as well.

Thankfully he did, because he is one terrific companion and we are thankful to have him.

But what of this puppy lying beside me? All I can offer him tonight is a caring, gentle touch, a warm fluffy towel to sleep wrapped in, and all the love I can cram into one long, sleepless night for me whilst I watch over him.

For in the morning, I know he will not be with us. All I can do for him is simply not enough to save his life.

We have 9-1-1 for human emergencies. Why do we not have the same for our animal companions?

What a waste. He would have made someone a wonderful companion.

*Update: A mere hour and a half upon completion of this article, this puppy died. Still not convinced? See the link below for pictures of the consequences of animal cruelty.

LifeWriter is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers.

You may see this article at Writing.Com plus see pictures of this puppy and the consequences of Animal Cruelty.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jacqui_Odell
http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-We-All-Need-Animal-Cops&id=143487

More Related Articles:

Sam and Me Sam and Me By Dorothy Santoro There are so many needy animals up for adoption that it is really hard to believe that so many people patronize the pet shops. We humans as a race have done a rotten job caring for the animals that we claim to love. We let so many unwanted ones be born, and then simply have them put to sleep when they become inconvenient or dump them on the side of the road. If you are thinking of getting a new animal companion, I must suggest as strongly as possible that you think of getting one of the animals for adoption to care for. After all, you will still have all the benefits of caring for a pet, and in addition will be making an important difference in the life of an animal. There are many more animals for adoption then there are an .. [Click to continue]

Feisty Kitties Need Love Too - Taming the Domestic Tiger Feisty Kitties Need Love Too - Taming the Domestic Tiger By Carolyn McFann In every cat lover's life, there usually is one cat that stands out for being a real handful. We love all our cats just the same, but how do you tame the kitty with a larger-than-life-personality who is Dennis the Menace in feline form? Having a five-year old pile of highly active white fluff named Beau, I know all too well what it's like to live with a lively cat. He is the most dear, sweet and loving cat, but when he's bad, he's like a flaming cat-rocket blasting off into space! I've learned to co-exist well with my beautiful wild cat. He is my pride and joy, but I watch him constantly to make sure he's not getting into trouble. Sort of like my friend's two-year old toddler, that gets into ever .. [Click to continue]

Flea Treatment - Which Treatment is Best For Your Pet? Flea Treatment - Which Treatment is Best For Your Pet? By Jean Morgan When a flea hitches a ride on your cat or dog, you have big problems about to happen. The life cycle of a flea takes no time for the little pest to produce eggs that soon have your home infested with the biting insects. Your pet is miserable and covered in the little creatures, and you and your family might even find yourselves with flea bites on your ankles or stomach. Then it's on to Project Deep Clean. Your whole house is going to have to be treated, with special attention to the areas that your pet loves the most. Your sofa will need to be sprayed, your bedding washed, your carpets steam cleaned and your pet washed and treated with insecticidal products. The house will end up being spotle .. [Click to continue]

Bull Dog Care Bull Dog Care By Mary Rose The Bulldog is one of the most popular purebred dogs. It is popular among celebrities and families. The broad shouldered,stocky bulldog with it characteristic under bite and pugnacious gait has long been a mascot of sports teams and military units. Similar to its personality ,the bull dog care is also unlike any other dog.But their docile,even tempered personality that belies their tough guy image makes them good pets for families with young children. They are so expressive. If one looks into their eyes one can almost see what they are thinking.Their growing popularity with celebrities have added to their publicity. The breed is the second most popular dog in Los Angeles. An English bull dog puppy makes a great companion. A .. [Click to continue]