Animal program offers affordable control alternative

  Yumans frequently complain that the community has an animal problem. What they mean is that stray animals - often cats, but also dogs - are neighborhood nuisances.

  The ugly reality is the same people do not take care of their animals. They abandon them or they allow them to roam and reproduce without consideration for the outcome. The result is numerous animals who often live harsh existences in the wild. Even though their lives are often short, they can multiply rapidly.

  Just how rapidly they can reproduce can be seen in statistics from the Humane Society of Yuma. A pair of cats, for example, can produce 420,000 kittens in seven years - an astonishing number. Two dogs can produce 67,000 puppies in six years, a much lower number but still remarkable.

  Is it any wonder that these animals are such a problem? Is it any wonder that the local humane society cannot cope with the numbers?

  It is too late to do much about the problem after the kittens and puppies are born. Fortunately, the humane society is doing more that just talk about the problem.

  Humane Society Executive Director Shawn Smith recently told members of the Yuma City Council that his organization will offer at least a partial solution. It will begin providing low-cost clinics this month to spay and neuter animals so they do not reproduce.

  Many responsible cat and dog owners already make sure their pets are "fixed" so they do not add to the animal population problem. They also do it to protect the health of their animals.

  It can be a costly procedure, however, and some pet owners don't feel they can afford the $200 to $300 charge. That is why the humane society will offer low-cost or even no-cost procedures, based on the income and need of the animal owner. Smith said sterilization procedures will be provided for an average of $40 to $70.

  That is a commendable decision and a recognition that some animal owners will do the right thing if it is priced within their means. It is also a worthy alternative to a law requiring mandatory spaying and neutering, something that has been discussed but is undesirable and wouldn't work anyway.

  Will this program be a complete solution? No, some people are simply irresponsible and won't take care of their animals whether it is affordable or not. But at least there is now a voluntary program available for those who do care.