Community Heroes Series
From the December 2003 issue of Alabama Living magazine

Article by Kay Marshall

Current statistics show that, in the United States, 27 million cats and dogs are born each year. A staggering amount. Sadly, some 5 to 8 million of these animals are euthanized because homes cannot be found for them, and that is a heart-rending end to these young lives.

Part of the problem is in overpopulation which results in hundreds of thousands of animal euthanizations each month. The cause of this problem is mostly preventable and the solution is simple: reduce the number of animals being born each year. The spaying and neutering of dogs and cats is a routine procedure that results in fewer unwanted animals and in turn helps curtail the grim process of euthanizing innocent animals left in our overcrowded shelters. Blame cannot be placed on just one reason as there are many causes for this pet over- population epidemic. As in many areas of our society, accountibility for our actions, or as in this case our inaction, could make a tremendous difference. The responsibility must be shared by guardians, pet shops, puppy mills, commercial and "backyard" breeders. Just one litter of puppies or kittens can be responsible for reproducing thousands more in just a few years. Agencies across the country, such as Maddie’s Fund and the National Humane Society, work hard to educate the public on the virtues of spaying and neutering, while other groups try their best to provide temporary shelters for these homeless thousands. The combination of support and education seems to be the answer, and not one caring soul could possibly enjoy seeing the dreadful remains of someone’s pet or a stray domestic or wild animal on our roadways.

Lamar County is fortunate to have a dedicated team of compassionate citizens who have taken on the mission to save the homeless pets of their area and to try and secure for them a safe and happy home. This group of dedicated animal lovers adopted PAWS as their organization’s name. PAWS is an acronym for Pets Are Wonderful Society, and the group acts as a representative of the Lamar County Humane Society, although they are not affiliated with the national chapter.
In exisitance since February 1984, PAWS is a small, all volunteer, non-profit organization that is funded primarily by donations from the public. The group functions as a devoted team with no appointed positions. “We just have what we call "Bosses" and "No Bosses," said member Deloris Robertson. “We do refer to Vickie Burns as our President, and she does most of the planning for our projects. One of our charter members is Larry Myers, and he helps us in many ways. I'm the only one in the group that doesn't work, so I take respond to people wanting animals, and if they want a certain type of animal,then I try to find that animal for them,” said Robertson.

Foster Homes... for homeless pets

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you.. It is the principal difference between a dog and a man..”
- Mark Twain

PAWS does not operate as an animal shelter but rather they have five “Foster Homes” and host families that provide shelter, food and care.
PAWS provides the foster families pens and doghouses that are put up at the foster homes. Except for the occasional donation of bags of food, (bursted bags that come in to local area stores such as Wal-Mart) the foster homes take on the entire expense of caring for the animals until adoption occurs. “It can get expensive!” said Robertson, who currently has thirty cats and eight dogs that she is fostering. “Usually there's a lot of times that we have to end up keeping the animals that we've just rescued because most people want puppies or kittens,” she continued.
“So a lot of the foster home caretakers end up with several adult pets.”

The “adoption” process, although non-complicated, is not just granted upon request. Potential PAWS adoptive homes must first meet a few requirements. “There is no adoption fee, but the prospective adoptive pet parent must fill out our adoptive papers, and we do have a list of people that we will not let adopt. We do not allow our animals go to anyone that we know has mistreated animals in the past,” Robertson stated.

In the year 2002, PAWS placed 131 animals, and already in 2003 they have placed 87 more homeless, disabled, or young pets. Both prospective members and adoptive pet parents must also adhere and uphold the mission statement that is the focus of PAWS, which is to be a responsive pet owner and spay or neuter their pets. PAWS’ primary mission is to provide low cost spays and neuters to those who would otherwise be unable to alter their dog or cat, and they work in close conjuction with Lamar County veteraniarian, Dr. Paul Click, of the Animal Care Center, in Vernon.
PAWS also will donate 25% toward the costs of anyone getting their pet spayed or neutered - when funds allow. All of their adoptive pets have all shots, vaccines and are spayed or neutered before being adopted out.

PAWS also has one member, Lisa Mixon of Beaverton, who has just recently gotten her wildlife license. Although the organization does not normally take in wildlife, they now have the ability to provide care for injured birds, squirrels, raccoons, oppossums, and other wildlife. Once they are able to fend for themselves, then Mixon releases them back into the wild again.
Dues to join PAWS is only $15 per year, but as Deloris Robertson humorously puts it, “We’ll take anything... from fifty cents on up!”

Send your donations to:
Overpopulation and irresponbilitity are partially to blame for these problems. The answers are within our reach by way of compassion, education, civic mindedness, and most of all - accountability. These are the simple requirements for anyone owning or wanting to own a pet. So if you are ready and if you have room for one more thing to love, then why not consider giving one of the PAWS’ pets a cozy home this holiday season. Afterall, pets ARE wonderful society!

Kay Marshall is the Internet Projects & Marketing Coordinator and Editor for TEC

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