Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 5, 1994 TAG: 9406040008
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: EXTRA4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Karen Davis
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``Being a responsible pet owner means more than providing food and shelter for your dog or cat,'' the brochure states in the opening paragraphs. ``It means safeguarding your pet with a collar, a name and address tag, and a license. It means spending time with your pet and sometimes money for medical care. ... This means a commitment for their lifetime.
``Finally, responsible pet owners spay or neuter their animals.''
The free, 12-page booklet is a handy resource listing of veterinarians, groomers, boarding kennels and trainers.
``Eighty percent of the animals we get back are given up by their owners because of behavioral problems,'' said Al Alexander, executive director of the SPCA. ``That's why we felt it was important to provide a list of dog trainers and other professionals who can help people solve those problems.''
The booklet also stresses the importance of collars, tags or tattoos in helping authorities identify and return lost pets to their owners.
``Many people are reluctant to put collars on cats,'' Alexander said, because they are afraid the cat may snag the collar on a tree limb while climbing and get choked.
The booklet recommends breakaway or elastic collars for cats, available at most pet supply stores and veterinarians' offices.
Alexander said the SPCA uses every available cross-reference resource for identifying lost and found animals, including newspaper ads and pet registries. The organization also is involved in a cooperative effort with the Roanoke Valley Veterinary Medical Association to implement a valleywide microchip identification system for pets.
With such an ID system, a veterinarian implants a microchip under the skin between the animal's shoulder blades. The chip reflects radio waves emitted by a scanner, which reads the chip's number. The owner registers the number in a computer database that tracks pertinent information about the pet, such as owner's name, address, phone number, etc.
Dr. Steven Karras, who is on the veterinary association's selection committee, said he hopes to see a system implemented within one year.
Adopting a pet from the SPCA costs $50, and $20 of that fee goes to the veterinarian who spays or neuters the animal, Alexander said.
``Veterinarians in the area take an additional 25 percent off of the spay or neuter bill for pets adopted from us,'' Alexander said.
The SPCA Pet Owner's Guide lists two low-cost spay/neuter programs in the area, Co-SNAP and the Pet Assistance League.
Co-SNAP, coordinated by the RVVMA, is intended to assist low-income pet owners and those hit with an unusual financial crisis, such as high medical bills or a job layoff.
An application, available at area veterinary hospitals, must be completed and screened by a Co-SNAP committee. Those who qualify for assistance can get their pet spayed or neutered free of charge. For additional information on Co-SNAP, write P.O. Box 4591, Roanoke, Va. 24015, or pick up an application at a veterinary clinic.
The Pet Assistance League is a low-cost spay/neuter program open to everyone, regardless of income. The organization issues a certificate for discounted spaying or neutering at a participating veterinarian's office. For more information on PAL, call 345-2915.
Alexander said the SPCA's adoption rate for April topped 40 percent, ``which is four times the national average. That was our best month ever, and we want to keep it that way.''
Alexander attributed the successful adoption rate to the center's new operating hours and ``telemarketing'' efforts.
The center recently expanded its hours to seven days a week to better accommodate working people's schedules. The SPCA is now open Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The center is also making an effort to match pets with people who are looking for a particular breed or type.
``Call it `telemarketing,' if you will,'' Alexander said. If someone calls or stops in looking to adopt a particular kind of pet, ``we keep a file card on it, and when we get in such an animal, we check the files and call those who might still be interested.''
To get your name in the files, or to get your free copy of the new Pet Owner's Guide, stop by the SPCA at 1313 Eastern Ave N.E., or call 344-4840.
by CNB