Pet Haven Group rescues lost pets

Torte Rios, Sarah Alexander, and Jannabeth Bowen, along with other volunteers, are working to reunite wayward or stolen pets with their owners. They are also endeavoring to find new homes for unclaimed companion animals.

Currently the new Facebook group, Littlefield Pet Haven, has applied for 501c3 status.

Ms. Bowen reported that 175 people have expressed interest in the group. The primary focus is the rescue of dogs impounded at the Littlefield Animal Shelter, due to the limited amount of time the animals may be held.

The shelter does not have facilities to impound cats or other species of pets. To date, the group has saved 41 dogs, including 19 puppies, that might have been euthanized along with their mothers.

If an owner wishes to reclaim their dog from Littlefield Pet Haven, they must provide proof of vaccinations or spay/neuter, plus the impound fee.

Citizens are encouraged to post photos of missing pets and their contact information on their Facebook page, so that their owners may be reunited with their pets. Folks are also asked to post photos of loose animals, along with the location, so owners may recover their pets.

Littlefield Pet Haven is also coordinating with other animal rescues to place animals. Most recently, they have arranged transport to rescues in Colorado and Andrews, Texas.

According to the current code of ordinances posted on the Littlefield website, impounded animals are held at least three days. Animals wearing a rabies tag are held at least 4 days.

Currently, the Littlefield Animal Shelter is NOT a No-Kill shelter. Citizens of Littlefield who have lost dogs should contact the City Hall at (806) 385-9202 or the Animal Control Officer at (806) 385-9202, ext. 258 to learn if their missing pet has been impounded.

These companion animals are in their precarious positions through no fault of their own. Misfortunes will happen, but often it is a matter of pet owners not being aware of the community’s municipal codes regarding companion animals.

Citizens may familiarize themselves with the Code of Ordinances concerning Animal Control on the official city website: www.littlefield.net and select the Ordinances icon at the bottom of the page. Ordinances as well as local impound fees are covered. Animal owners are also encouraged to learn the Texas state and Federal laws concerning animal cruelty.

Pets can no doubt be escape artists, but there are other factors that result in stray or missing companion animals. The responsibility of prevention ultimately falls on pet owners.

Since dogs and cats have no thumbs and absolutely no knowledge of anything other than their natural instincts, it falls on their owners to keep their enclosures or restraints escape-proof, humane, and compliant with the municipal codes. Owners should always be aware of their pet’s location.

Some pets may be victims of pet theft. According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund website, it is estimated that approximately two million companion animals are stolen in the United States annually. Statistically, the main driver of pet theft is money.

These thieves may be “pet flippers” who steal pets to sell them, some want to obtain a purebred dog without paying the price of one, thieves may steal them for illegal breeding purposes, or take them for other more nefarious purposes (ex. Illegal dog fighting purposes). They often target pets that are unattended on the owner’s property or in public spaces.

According to Natasha Ashton of The Right Paw (aka Co CEO) at Petplan pet insurance, there are five steps pet owners should take to theft:

1. KEEP YOUR PETS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. Avoid the unrestricted use of “doggie” doors. Install gravity or spring-loaded latches on your gates or kennels to avoid accidental escapes. Especially, if your yard can be seen from the street, consider installing padlocks on gates and kennels. Keep the doors to your home locked.

2. TREAT YOUR PET LIKE YOUR CHILD Never leave your pet unattended in a public space or in a spot of your yard which is visible to people passing by. Pet owners might also consider web cams on their properties to monitor activity.

3. MAINTAIN A PAPER TRAIL Maintain your pet’s rabies vaccination annually and ensure your pet has his tag attached to his collar at all times. Every tag is registered with the veterinarian that administers the vaccine. Owners can sometimes be located by contacting the veterinary clinic imprinted on the rabies tag. Keep ownership papers current.

Have your pet micro-chipped. The Lamb County Veterinary Hospital offers AKC Reunite, which is a one-time fee of $45.00 that includes the lifetime enrollment fee. There is no annual renewal fee. The micro-chipping process involves one injection, which is rather large, but usually well tolerated. Pet owners may call the Lamb County Veterinary Hospital at (806) 385-3050 to arrange an appointment specifically for microchipping.

4. CHECK REFERENCFS AND VET PROSPECTIVE CAREGIVERS first time pet sitters, pet walkers, groomers, breeders, etc. Pet thieves will sometimes impersonate these professionals or pretend to be responsible prospective pet home situations when, in fact, they intend to “flip” the pet.

5. SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR PET aside from the health benefits, it is a deterrent for those who intend to profit from breeding a stolen pet. Purebred dogs and designer dogs are especially susceptible to this threat.

Then, there are the people who get that “free” adorable little puppy without weighing the total commitment involved in the costs of time, messes, and money that is part of owning a pet. In these cases, it is usually the animal that pays the ultimate price.

These unfortunate pet animals are often abused, susceptible to disease and parasites, abandoned to become victims of starvation, disease, predators like coyotes, irate livestock owners, injured/killed by motor vehicles, or wind up in the local animal shelter.

The notion that a dog abandoned “out in the country” will find a loving home is essentially wishful thinking to ease the perpetrator’s conscience. Animal abandonment is a crime in the state of Texas.

The cost of owning even one small dog can easily exceed $1,000 per year. The costs include feeding, licensing, medical necessities and emergency veterinarian services, parasite prevention, proper shelter and fencing, handling equipment, grooming services or supplies, and fees incurred if the owner rents his residence or the pet, unfortunately, ends up in the local animal shelter.

For true animal lovers, the cost is well worth the love, companionship, and service of their dogs. For others, it is a burden that probably should be avoided. Littlefield Pet Haven works to pair these lost pets with people willing to pay the price.

Persons interested in getting involved and/or donating to the group may visit the Facebook web page for more information.

Donations may also be made to the Littlefield Pet Haven account established at the Lamb County Veterinary Hospital.

The Group is also in need of volunteer fosters and transporters. Contact the Littlefield Pet Haven Facebook page to volunteer.