Assist San Antonio in Managing Stray Dogs
San Antonio faces a concerning rise in the number of free-roaming dogs, putting additional strain on already overfilled shelters in and around Bexar County. The issue has now extended outside the county as well. Penny LaFlam, a representative from the Bulverde Area Animal Humane Society, has revealed that some of these furry companions are losing their lives on the side of the road, with an increasing number of strays showing up near highways. LaFlam disclosed to reporters at KENS 5 news that she has noticed an alarming trend of dead dogs along the roadside. This situation is causing significant concern in the community.
The primary factors attributed to the rise in free-roaming dogs are two-fold. Firstly, pets are getting out of people’s yards, and secondly, many pet owners are avoiding spaying or neutering their dogs to keep them from reproducing. Despite the existence of low-cost spay and neuter services, many people are still not taking advantage of them according to animal advocates.
Fortunately, San Antonio provides low-cost spay and neuter services through its community partners. Animal Care Services spokeswoman, Lisa Norwood, clarified in a statement that most dogs seen roaming the city’s streets are actually not strays; they are owned pets allowed to roam free. Keeping pets within their properties can reduce the spread of diseases caused by such animals. The animal defenders’ goal is to provide better education against this problem, promoting the use of spay and neutering techniques to keep animals healthy, safe, and under control.
When pets do indeed escape, they often find stray mates resulting in more unwanted puppies. Nadia De La Garza, the Animal Defense League Marketing Manager, pointed out the consequences of this deluge of unplanned litters. Owners, who initially bred the female dogs, often abandon or cannot nurse whole litters of unwanted puppies and leave them to fend for themselves. The city of San Antonio has budgeted significant sums of money to support multiple low-cost spaying and neutering services, providing operations at an affordable fee less than $100 per operation. These services can be accessed through any of the five providers listed on the city website.
In addition, San Antonio Animal Care partnered with the Animal Defense League to host vaccination clinics for free, providing an excellent opportunity and incentive for widespread pet owners to participate in scheduled vaccination events. The SD/LA team reiterates that it encourages the general community always to seek advice and connect with regular veterinary services for other animal health issues. Around 70% of pets presently showing up at clinics are not spayed or neutered, and both organizations promise continued education on these operations for those who need them.
