Friends of Animals label puppy incident a ‘wake-up’ call

Many people were shocked and saddened by an incident last Tuesday when seven puppies were found abandoned in a dumpster behind the 364 Store here.
But the local “Friends of Animals” group sees the act as not only a tragedy but a wake-up call for people to start taking the right measures to deal with unwanted pets.
“This appalling incident gives rise to several important issues that must be addressed,” said Friends of Animals chairperson Susan Cousineau.
“Like many other communities, Fort Frances is experiencing a severe pet population crisis and last week we all discovered first-hand who pays the ultimate price,” she stressed.
“It’s very important for the community to realize that this recent ‘pet dumping’ was not an isolated incident,” she added. “As Friends of Animals members know . . . we deal with this type of thing more often than many would think.”
In the last year alone, Cousineau said she’s known of 12 cases where owners have abandoned their pets in the Fort Frances area, whether it was along the highway, on doorsteps, in ditches, or at the local dump.
The greatest measure in better pet care the group is striving towards now is a shelter.
“Currently, animals are brought from the town pound to the Nor-West Animal Clinic to be put through our ‘Adopt-A-Pet’ program,” she noted. “But it’s not right to expect an operating business to act in a non-profit capacity.”
Cousineau said Friends of Animals recently presented a proposal to separate from the town structure and operate as an independent non-profit animal care organization–with its first and foremost goal being an animal shelter for the community.
Although the town has shown support for an autonomous Friends of Animals, the fundraising and long-term planning involved in building a shelter is something the volunteer-based organization can’t handle at present.
“We’re hoping the emotions evoked from [the puppy incident] can be channeled into something positive–simply being upset about the situation doesn’t change anything,” argued Cousineau, who would like to see a little more community support.
Another major factor in controlling the pet population is to start at the source through spaying and neutering.
“If you own a male cat or dog that is not neutered, you may be indirectly contributing to unwanted pets and are not even aware of it,” Cousineau warned.
“Some people who own animals of the male gender in particular feel that because they won’t have to face the reality of an ‘unwanted litter,’ why pay the money to have their animal neutered?” she noted.
To combat this phenomenon, Friends of Animals has developed a spay/neuter program to provide assistance to those who adopt stray or unwanted animals through its “Adopt-A-Pet” program (274-2144).
Despite the good it does for the community, some abuse of the program has jeopardized its future.
“Unfortunately, we have received numerous calls from pet owners who are financially capable of paying for the veterinary expenses but heard ‘Friends’ would foot the bill,” she exclaimed.
Meanwhile, Cousineau revealed Friends of Animals is assisting the Ontario Humane Society in its efforts to amend the Animal Cruelty Act, which Cousineau said is outdated, particularly in reference to pets as “property.”
“Let’s look at the recent case of ‘Katie,” she started, referring to a local case of animal abuse last year where charges were laid.
“The convicted owner received a probationary discharge, which means he can’t own a dog for six months . . . and he had to pay a $150 fine to our organization,” she recalled.
“This is hardly punishment fit for someone who was slowly starving his dog to death,” she charged.
(As reported in Friday’s Daily Bulletin, police did charge a Fort Frances man, 34, with cruelty to animals in connection with the abandoned puppies).
Petitions are posted at the Nor-West Animal Clinic and Four Paws Pet Supply here. Cousineau said people also could write to Justice minister Anne McLellan c/o the House of Commons, Ottawa, Ont., K1A 0A6.