Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 12, 1991 TAG: 9103120416
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ROBERT A. WEBB
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Surviving by donations and memberships - without funding from the governments it serves, the United Way or other foundations - the Roanoke Valley Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals takes in homeless animals, discarded pets and those injured through accidents or abuse, and offers them for adoption.
Tragically, in light of the huge number of cats, dogs, puppies and kittens that find their way to the RV-SPCA shelter, it is not surprising that the bulk of these animals is euthanized, albeit painlessly. In December, a "slow month," of the 301 animals taken in, only 110 were adopted. Some in the latter number will return to the shelter, statistics indicate.
Animals are taken in from all over the city; from Salem, Vinton, Roanoke County, Troutville, Boones Mill, Buchanan, Martinsville, Farmville, Ferrum and Bedford; and from all points in between.
RV-SPCA provides, for a minimal fee, pound services for Roanoke city, Roanoke County and Vinton. By definition, however, there is no pound in the area: That is something "maintained by public authority," and RV-SPCA is private and non-profit. Animal-control officers, members of area police departments, deliver stray animals to the shelter. If unclaimed in five days, they become RV-SPCA animals and can be offered for adoption.
In addition, RV-SPCA staff members volunteer (without pay) to collect and provide for injured animals at night and during other hours, when no animal-control officers are on duty in the city of Roanoke.
RV-SPCA has a small, dedicated, paid staff. The number of volunteers is limited, and there are professional functions the staff performs that a volunteer cannot do.
The shelter, where animals are housed and most services are performed, is extremely limited in size and marginal in comforts for staff or animals. It sits in the lowest part of the flood plain. There is nothing to obstruct the spread of Tinker Creek's rising waters when even moderately heavy rains come. Whenever the water threatens, staff and volunteers are roused out to move caged animals to safety.
Now, as the city of Roanoke prepares to put into effect a "cat law," the limits on space pose a quandary that NASA couldn't solve. Only so many cats and litter boxes can fit in a cage, and every inch of available space is already in use due to another characteristic of our throwaway society.
The RV-SPCA is not in the least radical. It does not involve itself in the protest business. Its members do not carry signs and chant slogans. Nor do they bar entrance to furriers or raid laboratories.
The RV-SPCA provides essential services to citizens and to local governments required of these jurisdictions by the state of Virginia. In the absence of this facility, area governments would be put to enormous expense and inconvenience to provide one.
RV-SPCA never transfers, by any means, animals to laboratories or other experimental agencies. While under the care of RV-SPCA - and for as long as possible - every animal receives all the tender love and attention it deserves, and that many have never known. And RV-SPCA never ceases to envision a future that includes a new shelter that will permit it to accept and retain for a longer time the discarded animals of the Roanoke Valley.
It may be true that a civilized society can be evaluated on the basis of how it treats its young and its old. But to that should be added a judgment for how it responds to the desperate needs of the animals it directs to its selfish purposes and subsequently discards.
RV-SPCA has survived scandal and disregard. For 75 years it has continued in the face of floods, lack of equipment, space and money. Nevertheless, it is probably more responsive and responsible than ever.
There is no question but that it will continue its program of services. A strong membership can ensure this. RV-SPCA asks nothing of its members except their dues or donations. Every pet owner should feel the responsibility to be a part of RV-SPCA. It's sort of an insurance policy not otherwise available.
by CNB