I shouldn't gossip but the welcoming committee has puppy breath....
It was not the usual hum of computer keyboard-clacking and the ringing of a phone I encountered upon entering the administrative building but a litany of skeptical barks followed by the patter of apprehensive, retreating paws.
The Springer Spaniel - Jade - and the Sheltie mix - Ben - both strays rescued by the Montgomery Humane Society, are about 7 months old, each with a unique set of challenges... and hopes. And I would meet them again....
My guide for all things purring and pawing is Lea Turbert, who has served as the MHS's marketing and development manager for nearly seven years. She savors the "unlikely" adoptions, the animals that don't necessarily fit the standard idea of "cute." A prevalent struggle she says is educating prospective adoptees on the awesome responsibility inherent to adopting a new furry family member, expressing that it's "not just a dog or cat" or some "disposable possession."
Nearly a century in the making
The Montgomery Humane Society first began to materialize in the 1920s when a group of local citizens formed the Society, and through their efforts, got the Alabama Legislature to create a local law establishing the position of a humane officer. The officer was provided with a vehicle and a salary of $150, and he rounded up animals that were victims of cruelty or strays. Turbert says due to the lack of a facility one of the Society's members kept the corralled animals in her own yard. (And you think you have it rough keeping Miss Kitty from shredding your living room drapes.)
The 1950s ushered in a renaissance for the Montgomery Humane Society, rapidly accelerating its growth through acquiring cages from the City of Montgomery and ultimately renting a former veterinary clinic on Norman Bridge Road to provide a complete facility for the Society.
In 1952, the Montgomery Humane Society moved in to its first permanent home when a facility was built on the Mobile Highway. The building remained in use by the MHS until 1995. The current facility on John Overton Road has been in operation since that time.
The City of Montgomery and Montgomery County contributed to the latest addition to the MHS, the 'lost and found' portion of the facility which was built in 2008.
Intake
Much like a human patient entering a hospital, animals brought to the Montgomery Humane Society are examined by professionals... only unlike their human counterparts all cats and dogs are neutered or spayed as part of the welcoming program. For several years now, the MHS has spayed or neutered all incoming cats and dogs. If you're wondering why, consider this - each day 10,000 human babies are born in the United States. 70,000 puppies and kittens are born each day. Or consider a cat and her mate can produce up to a dozen kittens every year.
A medical check-up of each animal ensures that the animal won't be entering the facility's population and potentially spreading a disease. Turbert says the most common issues are upper respiratory infections. The treatment can take a week to 10 days. Animals are also checked for various skin conditions as well as heartworms. While receiving treatment, the animals are quarantined, prempting any possibility of spreading an infectious disease to the rest of the MHS population. Medically checking a dog takes 20 to 30 minutes and a little less time for cats.
About five animals per month have to be treated for injuries involving encounters with motor vehicles or attacks by other animals, Turbert says.
Come one, come all
Stray animals, those surrendered by their owners and sadly, cruelty cases all find their way to the facility. Stray dogs are held for five days, cats for three, and animals who have been abused or neglected are afforded special attention in a separate area away from the general population of animals. The 'lost and found' area houses 130 animals. After the holding period and standard medical check-ups, the animals are offered for adoption.
On an average day, Turbert says 10 to 50 animals are "surrendered" (brought in by owners who can no longer adequately care for them), and 10-20 per day are brought in by animal control officers. The latter are housed in the 'lost and found' portion of the facility.
Turbert says last year the MHS took in about 9,500 animals, down from the recent yearly average of 12,000. She attributes the decline to the change in policy which now mandates the spaying or neutering of every animal brought into the shelter.
The intake area - a temporary holding area - can accomodate three large animals and five smaller animals - all of whom are processed into another portion of the MHS facility within mere hours of arrival.
A key step in the intake process includes "temper testing" each animal. Temper testing generally includes observing how the animal interacts with other animals and with humans. For example, dogs are fed in front of their peers to see how that dog interacts with others.
The Montgomery Humane Society handled over 2,000 calls reporting animal cruelty last year, says Turbert, a sobering and somewhat shocking statistic considering Montgomery's population. The MHS is currently involved in three criminal cases against alleged animal abusers.
And despite a commonly held perception, the facility is not closed to the rest of the animal kingdom. Turbert says they've accepted creatures ranging from horses and monkeys to pigs and snakes. She says the MHS can find a home for any animal.
No-kill shelter?
The euthanization of animals is an understandly controversial topic, but many are unaware that putting down an animal is often purely a matter of public safety.
As part of the Montgomery Humane Society's intake process, "temper-testing" is also used to determine if an animal poses a threat to the human population. Only animals that are beyond rehabilation and will create a public safety threat are euthanized. Hurbert says many animals at the facility have actually been there for years and will remain until they're adopted into a forever home.
Adoption
Don't expect to point to a dog as though you're casually selecting a new pair of shoes from a display shelf then stroll out of the Montgomery Humane Society with an animal.
"This is not a petting zoo," Turbert says with a firm smile.
The adoption process begins with a two-page, thorough application, aimed at determing if the animal is a match for the prospective adoptee(s). Upon completion of the application, adoptees are involved in a 30-40 minute interview.
Among other items, MHS staffers ask, "What is your reason for adopting?"
If a prospective adoptee doesn't have a fence, staffers want to ensure that the owner will be able to properly house the animal and provide adequate exercise.
All cats - as a matter of policy - are "house cats." The MHS is adamant that cats should be kept indoors.
And as humorous as it may sound to some, staffers have to warn someone who is adopting a puppy and who has a small child that, yes, "the puppy will chew on your child." Puppies will be puppies!
Turbert says they are generally inquiring if the family or individual's lifestyle will be compatible with the needs of the animal. She says it's also imperative that the staff question the adoptee about any pets they currently have and about their previous experience(s) with pets.
A special outdoor area is used for individuals or families who already have pets and need to determine if their prospective adopted pet will be compatible with the existing pets. Owners, pets and potential pets can "meet and greet" to determine if everyone gets along.
Kittens are $95 to adopt, adult cats are $50. Puppies are $150 to adopt, adult dogs are $95. Turbert explains the differences in prices are due to younger animals having a higher "adoptability" rate.
Turbert says the mere "cute" factor makes puppies and kittens so easily adoptable and that the MHS has to take additional steps to find forever homes for adult animals, especially black cats and dogs. She says false perceptions formed through media portrayals make it difficult to place black adult cats and dogs, even prompting the shelter to lower the price of these animals.
"Pure breeds" are also in high demand, leading the MHS to often place potential adoptees on a "wish list" for these animals. Turbert stresses that adoptees shouldn't judge these animals based on unjustified perceptions about "pure breeds" or coloring.
And no animal leaves the facility without the basics in place - each animal will have a collar and leash and will bear a microchip before leaving the premises with their new family.
Turbert says the comprehensive interviewing process and measures taken before an animal can leave with a new family have kept their return rate to almost zero. Less than one percent of animals adopted out are brought back by their owner.
"We're here to find those puppies a forever home," Turbert says. "You can bring it back, but it's not fair to the animal."
Turbert says in any given month the Montgomery Humane Society receives about 45 applications for adoptions, and on average about 43 are accepted.
"Compassion fatigue"
Despite never-ending hours, nonstop calls and a seven-day cycle that many would consider overwhelming, a large portion of the staff even refuses to leave its work at 1150 John Overton Drive.
"They have to look in each one's face then go home," Turbert says, describing how a constant challenge for the team at the Montgomery Humane Society is to continue working while somehow suppressing their emotions for those they care for daily. She says most of the staff often "fosters" animals at home, utilizing their free time to provide specialized care and training to animals away from the facility. At the shelter and in staffers' homes, animals are often given potty training and help with behavior-related issues.
There are 32 individuals on staff at the Montgomery Humane Society, supported by about 50 active volunteers. At the helm is Steven Tears who has been the executive director of the MHS for nearly eight years.
And the money kept rollin' in?
Despite the perception that the MHS is some type of government entity or program, it's an independent, not-for-profit organization and only exists due to donations, making fundraising a do-or-die component of this community service.
The Dog-U-Tante Ball, held each April, allows pet owners to strut their pets' furry stuff. Much like a traditional beauty pageant - only with a little slobber and a bit more playfulness - pet owners get to "present" their dressed-up pets. (Think “Toddlers and Tiaras” but without the whining and bratty dispositions). The event includes dinner, a live band, a silent auction and even a presentation of some of the MHS's adoptable animals.
In June the Montgomery Humane Society hosts a photo contest. Partcipants can submit a photo of their pet(s) for $10, then the public can vote on their favorite ($1). The winners are then featured in the the MHS's Friends For Life Calendar.
In October the Society holds its Walk And Wag event, a one-mile pledge walk to raise money for homeless animals. Participants earn prizes for the pledges they secure. Prior to the walk, there are pet-friendly vendors, contests and activities for children in the Blount Cultural Park. Some of the MHS's adoptable animals are on hand to (hopefully) meet their future families.
During the holiday season the Montgomery Humane Society offers gift-wrapping for a fee at The Shoppes at Eastchase. The Wrap It Up service helps fund essential needs involved in caring for Montgomery's homeless animals.
The MHS gets around
The Montgomery Humane Society, its staff and volunteers are not limited to changing water, poop-scooping, providing medical care to the animals and facilitating adoptions. Its education and outreach programs run year-round and help inform and empower the Montgomery area to collectively better care for animals.
Programs include the Humane Education Program, which teaches young people to respect animals as well as adults and the environment. The Montgomery Humane Society also has a new program exclusively for 8-15 year olds. The Junior Volunteer Program offers training to young people, instructing them on how to care for animals and it also enables them to assist the MHS shelter workers.
To learn more about the Montgomery Humane Society's education and volunteer programs, stay tuned as we'll be publishing more information in an article Friday.
Jade and Ben had apparently consulted each other and arrived at some consensus as Lea I made our way through the facility because upon our return, they had become a bit more affectionate, no longer giving me the skeptical bark or the cold shoulder. The duo compose what Turbert calls, "little projects," animals that spend time in the administrative offices, allowing the staff to assist the workers in the main facility as they go about their regular duties.
Ben is afraid of men, and Jade has "potty issues" and is prone to jump up on humans. Turbert said they've made amazing progress in the two weeks they've spent in the office receiving special attention, and they'll likely return to their doggie friends in a week or so where they'll await an adoptive family that will provide them with a forever home.
"They're best friends," Turbert says. And they're likely to "greet" you, paws pumping and tongues flapping in what might be construed as a hug.
The "lady" lept about, quite excited over Lea's return and even approached me... though I'm more inclined to think she simply wanted to examine my camera and notebook. Even the reclusive fella entered the fray, still subdued but at least willing to let me pet him. Posing for photos, it became clear that even with Ben's waning fears and Jade's struggle to overcome leaving unwanted "presents" on the floor, these two will be making such a profound, positive impact soon enough. They'll be making two families whole.
***************************************************
For more information on the Montgomery Humane Society, call 334.409.0622 or visit them online: http://www.montgomeryhumane.com. Don't forget to return and visit the Capital City Free Press Friday for an in-depth look at the educational and volunteer opportunities provided by the MHS.
To view the photo album from our visit to the Montgomery Humane Society, visit the CCFP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CapCityFreePress
To view the photo album from our visit to the Montgomery Humane Society, visit the CCFP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CapCityFreePress
About the author: Joseph O. Patton is the editor-in-chief and founder of the Capital City Free Press. He is a former news editor for the Coosa County News, lead reporter for the Montgomery Independent and editor-in-chief of the AUMnibus, the student newspaper of Auburn-Montgomery. Patton is also the creator of and writer for the satirical news radio segment "Goat Hill Gossip," which previously aired on WAUD in Auburn, Alabama and has appeared on several Central Alabama radio programs as a political analyst.
Copyright © Capital City Free Press
Copyright © Capital City Free Press
No comments:
Post a Comment