The animals of Portsmouth, Ohio continue to suffer from abuse, neglect, and lack of protection and resources. Day after day, rescues and volunteers fight a never ending battle to protect the animals of Portsmouth, Ohio. However, it is a battle that we find ourselves way over our heads in. Veterinarian Hospitals are overwhelmed by all of the sickness and abuse. Rescues, shelters, and pounds within and outside of the city are barely able to house and care for the endless number of animals in dire need. While there are so many wonderful animal owners, there remains way too many who do not care for their animals properly, abuse the animals, allow animals to die from disease, extreme temperatures, neglect, and/or what can only be described as torture. 
The city of Portsmouth, and Scioto County, are not equipped to step in and help the helpless and the voiceless. Many animals are seized from terrible owners, only to be returned to the same conditions with a simple warning. The desperation in the words and eyes of rescuers, volunteers, and veterinarians is just one aspect of the stark reality that has consumed our area. Drive down most roads and alleyways and witness the devastating conditions that animals live in. Short chains, running loose, unsupervised, no shade, lack of food and water, absence of medical care, skin and bones, injured, no tags or registration, puppy mills, animal fighting ring, terrified and broken innocent creatures…the list is never ending. 
We must stand together to help these poor animals. We must have tighter restrictions and enforced laws, convictions and prosecutions must be carried through to the full extent of the law, and we MUST be equipped with enough authority to ensure that these things are taking place. Silence and turning away because it is to hard to look at is no longer an option for us…it never should have been in the first place. Folks, this is our reality. It isn’t some commercial with a famous singer belting out a sad song to images of animals in horrific conditions. We cannot turn off the television of turn the channel. Animal abuse and neglect is happening all around us. 
Please sign this petition and let the Portsmouth City Council and the Portsmouth Health Department know that enough is enough. We will not and cannot continue to watch as one more part of our city is condemned to ruin. We owe it to the animals and to ourselves to come together and say, “Our animals ARE WORTH SAVING and WE STAND TOGETHER to say we aren’t going to take this any longer.