During a tough week, what was not in the news

It has been a busy news week for local animal stories. Some of the stories were told in the newspaper, on the radio and on television stations. Most people probably heard of the abandoned kittens, the dead puppies that died of exposure to heat, our anti-constant chaining campaign and a dachshund that was killed. Online comments turned to critiques about the work of the Danville Area Humane Society. Some were filled with rage and others were supportive. Strident voices demand change, but offer few suggestions beyond those that are unprintable, libelous or unrealistic.

As humane society employees, volunteers and directors tried to face each day, one bright thought of hope kept occurring to me. For so long, animals have been a low priority in this area. Finally, maybe good things can happen since now so many people recognize animals have value. Maybe, just maybe, Danville and Pittsylvania County can move forward and make a difference for animals. Maybe the people who express outrage about animal issues can turn expressions of hate and anger into helping do just that.

No matter what demands are made by people about shelters and other animal issues, there are facts that remain constant: There are too many animals, too few responsible homes and too few financial resources to solve all the problems.

Make no mistake; there is much work to be done, as the records indicate:

The records of the shelter show that while all of this was happening (June 8-17), 71 dogs and 191 cats came to the shelter, along with three mice, nine exotic birds, one turtle, two injured baby deer, three wild birds and two Canada geese. Those animals joined the other animals at the shelter. On June 17, Danville’s small animal shelter housed 75 dogs, 95 cats, 14 birds, one turtle, two chinchillas, three rabbits, two rats, two ferrets, one guinea pig and five hamsters.

During the same nine-day period, nine dogs and two cats were adopted and six dogs were returned to their owners. Arrangements were made to transfer nine dogs to another shelter with a high adoption rate. We helped pay for the spay/neuter of 47 dogs and cats. After-hours calls about strays, injured animals and animal attacks were received and answered every night, even when those calls interrupted sleep or family time.

Animals being held at the shelter included dachshunds that were involved in a house fire and are waiting for their owner to recover; a pit bull that attacked a Chihuahua; some pets that are being held for a woman who feared for her life and the life of her pets; a blind, elderly dog who was brought to us by the owner because she was afraid he would eventually get hit by a car since he spent so much time in the road; and many other animals who each have a unique story and sadness.

During this time of intense local and national news interest, other stories were quietly played out, known only to the people who called us for help and the shelter employees and volunteers. Not many people know that a duck was caught in an undertow in the river, and employees frantically thought of duct-taping catchpoles together to reach the duck from the river banks. As people stood horrified, the duck was sucked under the water by debris, only to be thrown beyond the undertow by a log so he could swim away.

Only a few Wal-Mart employees know that a tiny kitten was rescued from drowning in a drainage pipe through the valiant efforts of humane society employees and volunteers.

A handful of police officers know that shelter employees entered a house to rescue two dogs that had been in the house with their owner who passed away. Even fewer people know that employees picked up stray dogs and cats in precarious situations, only to come back to the shelter to face long hours of cleaning cages and runs, feeding, and watering the hundreds of animals who had come through the shelter doors.

The problems animals face are numerous and never-ending. Maybe the sad story about a dachshund named Killer being killed really can have a ray of hope for the other animals. It is time for the energy about his death to be turned to helping other animals.

While we decry the manner of his death, we also decry the plight of the hundreds of area dogs languishing on chains; the thousands of unwanted animals roaming the streets and roads trying to survive; the cats who are tortured; and the never-ending stream of animals in need.

The consuming anger can be turned to something good as people join us in our efforts to help each and every animal to the best of our ability. This will take time, willing hands, gentle hearts and yes, it will take people willing to suffer pain because of what they see. We are willing to work even harder and stretch ourselves even more to help the animals, but we need help.

Dean is the executive director of the Danville Area Humane Society.