Lots of love, little space

All of the facility’s seven dog kennels and seven cat cages were occupied. Even more pets were in foster care with area families who take cats and dogs into their homes on a temporary basis until a permanent home can be secured.

Animals are constantly coming and going from the facility and foster care; staff and volunteers have their hands full caring for the area’s stray cats and dogs.

“All of them are beautiful animals,” reports Nikki Turenne, BHS Board president.

The BHS took over the city of International Falls’ pound July 1, 2009. The first year and a half has been hectic but overall has been a success, Turenne said.

“I think things have gone well,” she said. “We’re doing the best we can with the limited resources we have.”

Indeed, if more cats or dogs had come into the facility when it was a full house, plastic crates would have been used to house the animals, she noted.

Included in the BHS July 2010 newsletter were annual numbers of animals taken into the holding facility. In total, the BHS took 51 cats and 119 dogs into the holding facility over the course of its first year running the facility. Of those, seven cats and 74 dogs were returned to their owners. Twenty-seven cats and 27 dogs were adopted to new homes.

One of the most important things area residents can do to help alleviate congestion in the facility is to keep track of their own pets, Turenne said. This includes maintaining a collar on animals with their name and a contact number in case they get loose. This would allow the BHS to return the animals very quickly if they became lost.

Another important step in reducing the number of animals at the facility is to reduce the area pet population, especially of strays. Turenne said they have started working with the Rainy River Veterinary Hospital to offer reduced-priced spay and neuter services for area families in need. This replaces an out-of-town service that had been used in an effort to keep the service local, she explained.

Dr. Melody Nicholson of the Rainy River Veterinary Hospital said they have been working with the BHS since November, offering reduced-priced spays and neuters for BHS animals. In addition, she said, members of the community who are of a suitably low income can be referred by the BHS to the veterinarian for reduced-priced spay and neuter services.

Nicholson explained that fixing animals is important, not only to control the pet population, but it also protects against cancer and infection in the reproductive organs.

The BHS does not take in unwanted pets — only those that are stray, abused or neglected. But if families have to make the decision to give up a dog or cat, the BHS offers some advice. First, consider placing a classified advertisement and search for a potential owner. The BHS offers for $25 space on its website to list pets available by private adoption.

After every attempt has been made by a family to secure a new home, Turenne said the BHS would consider working with the family to relocate the animal. Having advanced notice will greatly help in the process, she added.

The humane society is always in need of more volunteers to assist with caring for the animals as well as foster homes, Turenne said. Those wishing to volunteer should contact the BHS.

Local law enforcement is often the first group called when an animal is found stray. Police Chief Mike Musich said the police department is responsible for enforcing the city’s animal regulations.

“It’s not unusual to have dogs running around,” Musich said.

According to the city municipal code: It is unlawful for the owner of any dog or cat to permit such animal to run at large. Any dog shall be deemed to be running at large with the permission of the owner unless it is on a durable leash secured to an object which it cannot move and on the premises of the owner, or on a leash and under the control of an accompanying person of suitable age and discretion. Any cat shall be deemed to be running at large with the permission of the owner unless it is on the premises of the owner.

In addition to basic animal welfare regulations such as providing sufficient food, water and shelter, pet owners are also required to obtain a license for any cat or dog and maintain a tag on each animal. There is a two-dog and two-cat maximum limit on the number of pets allowed at any residence unless they have a kennel license, Musich explained.

The animal enforcement aspect of the department is complaint driven, and requires citizens to alert the authorities to problems they see with stray or abused/neglected animals.

The Borderland Humane Society is open Tuesday through Thursday from 3-7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. It is located near River’s Edge Villa at 150 Cedar Road.

For more information and to see pets available for adoption, visit www.borderlandhumanesociety.org.