I am writing on behalf of the recently formed “Voices for Hope” Animal Rescue Organization, as well as the numerous animals that are currently housed in the Louisville Animal Control/ Shelter Facility --- or will be soon.  My purpose in reaching out to you today is simple and clear.  To ask for your support in reversing the current and appalling state of the existing animal control/ “shelter” facility.

About “Voices for Hope”:

Voices for Hope is a recently formed, and much needed, animal rescue group located in Louisville, MS. Its mission is to rehabilitate, foster, and find good, responsible, and loving homes for the many animals in need, and take a stand against the incredibly poor treatment of animals that is so rampant in this part of the country.

 

Known Issues:

 

Animal abuse, neglect and other forms of cruelty (yes, this includes irresponsible care) is rampant in this area of the country; and not only are the operations of the Louisville Animal Control/Shelter facility part of the problem, they are part of the cause.

 

The facility has had a strong history of being completely unsanitary. Although I understand this has improved slightly, more improvements are needed. Problem.

 

The facility is being operated by individuals who are negligent and careless when it comes to the care of the animals themselves. Dogs going for days on cold, wet concrete without seeing natural sunlight or walking on real earth. For the longest time, there was no fenced-in area for the dogs to romp, play, socialize and get the adequate exercise they need. Now that there is, dogs will be left outside in the hot summer sun without clean, cold water or a way to cool off (this particular volunteer had donated pools for the dogs, but she was the only individual filling them. If she was absent, so was water in the pools- and MS summers are very unforgiving). Problem.  

 

Numerous careless and irresponsible euthanizations. Problem.

 

The facility is managed by people whom do not understand animal behavior. This results in the outbreak of fighting between the animals resulting in injuries, and- in some cases- the death of an animal, as well as bad matches of animals to adoptive individuals/ families (and the animal ends up back at the facility--- again). Problem.

 

When an individual, couple or family unit enters the shelter and expresses interest in an animal, there have been times when another animal is offered as a “2 for 1 ‘special’”. Yes, both animals will get out of the shelter- but animals are just being given away and, most times, are ending up in homes that cannot afford to have them and do not know how to properly care for them...and the animal(s) end up back at the facility--- again. Problem.

 

The facility operators are not making sure that ALL ANIMALS are spayed and neutered before leaving the facility. This is a HUGE issue, especially given the fact that most animals are left to wander freely outside and will surely end up “pairing up with” another animal only exasperating the existing animal control issue. Problem.

 

There are currently no screenings of/for potential adopters. This could weed out individuals whom do not have the ability to properly care for an animal, as well as those whom fight animals. As you all are well-aware, dog-fighting is a major and very common issue in the south. It is a sick, evil and twisted thing to subject an animal to. Problem.

 

Action Requested:

 

A call to action and support is in need. Can you and will you help us set an example for the rest of MS, even other parts of the country, to follow? 

 

I want to see the Louisville community step up and take this much-needed action--- and take it seriously. I want the Louisville Animal Control/Shelter facility to ensure that the appropriate steps will be taken to accomplish all that needs to be done, such as:

 

-          Turn the Animal ‘Control’ facility into an Animal ‘Shelter’ facility that assists in “animal control”. You can hardly call it “animal control” when the facility itself is part of the problem (as exemplified above).

-          Hire compassionate, responsible, and dedicated people to operate and manage the facility, whom understand animal behavior/needs and will maintain a clean, hospitable shelter.

-          Start a “Sponsor-An-Animal” program where people from all over can “sponsor” an animal, supplying what he/she needs through donations. Most times this will end up as an adoption as people bond with their animal from near or afar.

-          Create stricter rules and regulations re: foster care and the adoption process/ procedures (e.g. home and owner screenings, adoption follow-ups, mandatory spay and neutering, etc).

-          Provide education and pet-care awareness in schools, at events, and other venues.

-     Enlarge and grow the shelter so it can house the many animals that enter it in

       need.

-          Reduce and eliminate euthanizations making the shelter a “No Kill Shelter”.

-          Hold and become active in local fundraisers and adoption events.

-          Start a volunteer program that gets the community involved. If the shelter is a better place to be, more people will be willing to spend their time there and invest in it.

 

   

In Closing:

 

Cats and dogs are companion animals. They have been for thousands of years. They do not have the ability to stand up and choose a better life for themselves. They can not object to living their lives with a rope tied around their neck for so long that it eventually gets embedded in their skin. They can not object to being starved, being left out in the elements year round, dragged behind a truck or used as a punching bag. Their livelihoods solely depend on the choices and decisions we humans make. Please help me in my plight and support my petition. Be the voice that these animals in need do not currently have. This voice will only grow louder as more signatures are added. They have a God-given right to quality of life, and deserve better treatment and an opportunity to lead a much better life. Not to be euthanized due to the condition we humans imposed upon them. 

 

 

Thank you very much for your support.