Most people are aware that

thousands of animals are put to sleep in animal shelters every year. The

reason? Pets get lost, escape the fence, bolt out a door or, like in this

case, get trapped and brought to animal control. These pets go unclaimed

and end up being put to sleep.

Often, people call the animal

control office (this could be any county, not just Fayette) looking for

their pet and many times are told that the animal is not there. This response

may or may not be correct. The animal may indeed be there, but for some

reason, could have been logged in incorrectly (for example, it's really

a female, but was thought to be a male).

Cats often lose their collars

(which may have happened in this case; I don't know whether this cat actually

came to the shelter with tags) when they are outside. So, if a cat is

described as wearing a collar by an owner and has lost it, the cat may

not match animal control's intake form.

The animal may be in transit

to the shelter in one of the trucks and has not been logged in yet. Often,

when someone finds a cat or dog in their neighborhood, they may hold onto

it for a couple of days thinking they'll find the owner. Then the person

takes it to the animal shelter but the owner has already called looking

for it and has been told, "No, it is not here."

My point here is this: Continue

to call the animal shelter to check for the animal. Better yet, actually

drive down there and physically walk through to see if your animal is

there.

The shelter holds all animals

for six days to allow the owner to reclaim them. This is a very generous

amount of time. Many area shelters only hold dogs or cats for three days.

If I had a cat that was missing more than two days, I would certainly

have visited animal control just to be sure it was not there. I do not

know why Ms. Barnett was unable to go to the shelter by the sixth day

the cat was missing.

I often wonder why many people

do not go to the animal shelter when a pet has been missing that long.

To me that is irresponsible and sort of sad. If someone would just take

five minutes out of their day to visit the shelter and check, I think

we would be amazed how many little lives are saved every year.

I know that the only time an

animal may be euthanized before the sixth day is if the animal is severely

injured or dying, which is more humane for the animal. My advice would

also be to contact surrounding county shelters as well if your pet is

missing. People will frequently find an animal just over the county line

and take it to that county's shelter.

As I said before, I do not

know the exact specifics of this case. It was unfortunate that this family

lost their cat. However, there is a leash law in Fayette County and it

is enforced very well. A neighbor has the right to request a humane trap

if your animal is on their property. A neighbor has the right to not have

their property damaged by a loose pet. It is your responsibility to know

where your pet is at all times and take responsibility by covering all

the bases in your search for a pet should it become lost.

In Ms. Lohmann's letter she

worries about the examples set for children. I think the best example

we can set for our children is not to blame animal control for "callousness

and insensitivity." It is not animal control that is letting animals

run loose and get hurt or starve to death on the streets. They are the

ones that are rescuing them from this painful and frightening existence

and giving them shelter, warmth and food.

The callousness and insensitivity

is coming from irresponsible or lazy owners who don't seem concerned about

their pets.

Children can be taught the

"value of life" by educating them about taking care of their

pets or rescuing an animal from a shelter. This lesson would be much more

valuable than pointing a finger at animal control officers for "callousness

and insensitivity." These folks have a tough job (and do it well

and in my opinion, fairly). The public needs to help them out and obey

the leash laws in this county. That way, things like this would not ever

happen.

Jennifer Heintz

Peachtree City

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