Finding homes for cats is humane society challenge

There were 1,161 dogs and cats turned into the Humane Society of Yuma in June but only 199 were adopted out or returned to their owners.

According to statistics provided by the humane society, 851 dogs and cats were euthanized in the month of June - 100 more animals than in June 2006, according to Annette Lagunas, humane society director.

She said the majority of the animals they have had to put to sleep were cats. "I think the whole state is just overwhelmed with the cats."

Lagunas said that as people become more aware, and irritated, with the feral cat colonies in the community, more are brought in to the shelters. Of the 1,161, animals that came in during June, 708 were cats.

"I think people are just getting tired of them running in their yards and things and they're bringing them in. They don't want them getting run over by cars or attacked by dogs."

One of the challenges of adopting out cats is that there are fewer outside agencies that will take them. Of the 453 dogs that were turned in, 111 were adopted; only 43 of the 708 cats were given homes.

Lagunas said many rescue agencies around the state for breeds such as basset hounds and retrievers will take those animals when they are brought in to the humane society. But the cats are harder to place.

"The cat rescues typically only do breed-specific rescues. Most of the shelters don’t get specific breeds ... and the rescues (are) already so overwhelmed."

The simplest way to take care of this problem is to spay or neuter pets and strays.

"Spaying and neutering is not only good to decrease the population but it's much healthier for the animals," Lagunas said.

The humane society currently functions as the animal control administration for the entire county. The shelter's nine animal control officers cover over 5,500 square miles, according to humane society figures.

Local governments are discussing ways to combat the stray animal problem, but any decision on that is still in the works.

Greg Hyland, spokesman for the city of Yuma, said city employees are currently studying a possible spay and neuter ordinance.

He said it is driven in part by the cat problem.

"That's one of the things the council is going through right now, as far as spaying and neutering, because it's a problem in terms of the feral cats and that sort of thing."

Hyland added that the matter will probably be brought up for consideration by the Yuma City Council this fall.

In the meantime, Lagunas recommended that anyone having problems with a feral cat contact the humane society for help trapping the animal.

"There is a $50 deposit to rent and trap. They get that money back when they bring the trap back."

They do not offer spay and neuter operations on site but can make referrals.

Lagunas said they would like to spay and neuter pets there but can't due to lack of space. She said they hope the new facility that is in the works will allow them to do something like that.

"We can’t do it here, just because of funding," she said.

The Glen Curtis family and Sam Perricone donated six acres on the southwest corner of 40th Street and Avenue 4-1/2E for the new shelter in May, according to previous reports in The Sun.

Staff is still trying to raise $3.5 million to build the new 18,000-square-foot facility.

To contact the humane society about an animal control matter or to donate, call 782-1621.

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BREAKDOWN FOR JUNE

1,161 animals taken in

151 waiting in facility

708 cats

453 dogs

851 euthanized

111 dogs adopted

43 cats adopted