Plan Ahead If You Have To Surrender Your Pets

The following column is dedicated to families who are moving, thinking of moving or know that a move is in the near future due to the economy or a job change.

Be aware that in the current economy, rescue shelters are over-crowded with pets that families have had to surrender due to their difficult circumstances.

This is in addition to the pets that the shelters normally have coming through their doors due to abandonment, neglect, illness and the passing of their pet parent.

If you feel that you will need to surrender your pet due to your current circumstances, plan as far ahead as possible. There is a popular misconception that you can drop a pet off at a rescue shelter any time you find it convenient.

Our experience at the Humane Society is that, unfortunately, a car pulls into the gate with the family pet as the family is driving out of town.

This does not work.

If a shelter is full, it is full. A kennel will not magically appear because you suddenly want to surrender your pet with no notice.

There are currently waiting lists at most shelters for a pet to be admitted. The Humane Society of the Nature Coast is currently accepting pets by appointment only. This is to ensure that there is room for your pet and adequate time to gather information about them.

The goal is a speedy adoption with a loving new family and keeping your pet's stress to a minimum. The economy is taking its toll on our furry friends who are losing their homes faster than shelters can get them adopted.

Hernando County Animal Services can take your family pet for you at any time, but they, too, are over-crowded and in keeping with our current statutes could euthanize your pet due to time or space limitations.

They are not the bad guys... it's a matter of enforcing the law and we vote for the people who make the laws, so don't blame Animal Services.

It all comes down to you: Your pet has been faithful and loving.

Your pet has given you joy and laughter.

They deserve to be more than an afterthought in your plans.

If you think you may need to part with your pet, for their sake - plan ahead.