ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, August 4, 1996 TAG: 9608050010
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
TYPE: LETTERS
In the recent "Paws & Claws" column, Dr. Bowen emphasized the multifaceted problem of animal abandonment in the Blacksburg area.
According to the column, the abandonment problem is especially evident in areas where many nonpermanent residents live, such as student housing areas, apartment communities and trailer parks.
In other words, the problem appears to be more prevalent in rental districts as opposed to established neighborhoods.
As an animal advocate and Humane Society representative, I have found Bowen's comments to be true not only of the situation in Blacksburg but in the outlying communities of Christiansburg and Radford as well.
Unfortunately, encouraging individuals to have their pets spayed or neutered is the only proactive statement local animal welfare agencies can make in response to this increasing problem.
Local shelters, such as the Montgomery County Humane Society, are overflowing with cats, dogs, kittens and puppies. Apart from a strong stance on spay/neuter and responsible pet ownership issues, local animal welfare groups are limited in what they can do because of lack of funds, personnel and space to house strays and abandoned animals.
Addressing the specific problem of abandonment in rental districts would be more effective if it were to come from within that realm.
Property owners must clearly explain the abandonment law and subsequent fines for breaking this law to each tenant.
At the very least, this information should be clearly posted in each rental unit or main office area.
In addition, limitations should be placed on the number of pets owned per tenant. Each pet-owning tenant should be responsible for providing proof of vaccination.
It would be an added incentive if the property owner would offer a discounted pet deposit fee if the animals were spayed or neutered.
Pet owners should be required to maintain control of their pets at all times, as opposed to allowing the animal to roam freely.
The basic premise here is that if the property owner is going to allow a tenant to have a pet, then the property owner has the right to require that the tenant be responsible for that pet.
Education and effective spay/neuter efforts are the long-term solutions to this particular problem. However, in the short term, the individuals who own or manage rental districts should begin to address the issue of abandonment on their property and with their tenants.
Ultimately, stricter pet regulations for high-volume living areas benefit the animals, the tenants and the property owner.
Julie Ligon
Blacksburg
LENGTH: Medium: 55 linesby CNB