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ENLARGE
Lifting the gate, cattery supervisor Summer Miller transfers a feral cat from its crate, into the cage used for euthanizing cats at Saving Grace Animal Shelter in Winchester. At left are cats in an isolation room, used for sick and recovering cats.
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Once a week for two hours, volunteers Tyler Mercer, 14, and her mother Janis Wilson, right, take cats out of their cages to pet them in an effort to get them used to being touched and therefore, more adoptable. Volunteers walk dogs, pet cats and help out where they can in order to keep the animals healthy and happy.
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Saving Grace Animal Shelter Executive Director Heather Johnson is flanked by a board detailing dog and cat numbers for the month of July.
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Cutie grabs ahold of rubber bands in Summer Miller's hair as Madie King, 1 1/2, wants to hold the new cat her family has chosen to adopt from the Saving Grace Animal Shelter.
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Each week during October, an average of eight dogs and 43 cats were taken from their pens at the Saving Grace Animal Shelter in Winchester, led down a hallway to a small room and put to sleep.
Over the past year, a total of 2,519 animals -- 539 dogs and 1,980 cats -- were put down at the shelter on Del Rio Road.
In New York City, 21,171 animals were euthanized last year. With 8 million residents, however, New York has a population 80 times larger than Douglas County. If it sported the same euthanasia rate, New York City would put down 201,520 dogs and cats each year.
"We've got to do something," said Heather Johnson, the shelter's executive director. "If we don't, we're going to continue to see these numbers escalate out of control."
<b>PET OVERPOPULATION</b>
Several factors contribute to the problem.
Only a small percentage of Douglas County pet owners have their animals spayed or neutered. Culturally, most people just don't view it as a priority or a necessity, Johnson said.
Many who adopt pets at Saving Grace don't get their pets altered even though the entire cost is covered through a voucher program. Area veterinarians offer to perform the procedures at a reduced charge, and the costs are paid through a portion of adoption fees.
Johnson believes the area's poor economy and high unemployment figure into the equation. People struggling to make ends meet don't have extra money to have their pets spayed or neutered, she said.
Some people just aren't prepared for the responsibility and the cost of caring for an animal. They see someone standing outside Wal-Mart with a puppy or a kitten to give away and they're sucked in by the animal's cuteness, she said.
"They like it until the newness wears off and then they don't want to invest in the training and other responsibilities a pet owner has," she said.
At shelters across the country, the number of dogs and cats put to sleep averages 14.8 animals per every 1,000 people. Douglas County's rate is 23.99.
"That's a poor rate," said Merritt Clifton, an animal rights advocate from Clinton, Wash., who for the last 13 years has compiled euthanasia rates across the country.
Oregon's statewide rate is 9.3 animals euthanized per 1,000 people. Grants Pass has a rate of 17.8, with Eugene at 10.1 and Multnomah County at 6.8. New York City's rate is 2.6.
Generally, areas that have large numbers of people with higher educations and higher incomes have fewer problems with unwanted animals, said Clinton, who publishes his findings in the People News newsletter.
Over the past year, a total of 2,519 animals -- 539 dogs and 1,980 cats -- were put down at the shelter on Del Rio Road.
In New York City, 21,171 animals were euthanized last year. With 8 million residents, however, New York has a population 80 times larger than Douglas County. If it sported the same euthanasia rate, New York City would put down 201,520 dogs and cats each year.
"We've got to do something," said Heather Johnson, the shelter's executive director. "If we don't, we're going to continue to see these numbers escalate out of control."
<b>PET OVERPOPULATION</b>
Several factors contribute to the problem.
Only a small percentage of Douglas County pet owners have their animals spayed or neutered. Culturally, most people just don't view it as a priority or a necessity, Johnson said.
Many who adopt pets at Saving Grace don't get their pets altered even though the entire cost is covered through a voucher program. Area veterinarians offer to perform the procedures at a reduced charge, and the costs are paid through a portion of adoption fees.
Johnson believes the area's poor economy and high unemployment figure into the equation. People struggling to make ends meet don't have extra money to have their pets spayed or neutered, she said.
Some people just aren't prepared for the responsibility and the cost of caring for an animal. They see someone standing outside Wal-Mart with a puppy or a kitten to give away and they're sucked in by the animal's cuteness, she said.
"They like it until the newness wears off and then they don't want to invest in the training and other responsibilities a pet owner has," she said.
At shelters across the country, the number of dogs and cats put to sleep averages 14.8 animals per every 1,000 people. Douglas County's rate is 23.99.
"That's a poor rate," said Merritt Clifton, an animal rights advocate from Clinton, Wash., who for the last 13 years has compiled euthanasia rates across the country.
Oregon's statewide rate is 9.3 animals euthanized per 1,000 people. Grants Pass has a rate of 17.8, with Eugene at 10.1 and Multnomah County at 6.8. New York City's rate is 2.6.
Generally, areas that have large numbers of people with higher educations and higher incomes have fewer problems with unwanted animals, said Clinton, who publishes his findings in the People News newsletter.
<b>VOUCHERS ONLY PARTIALLY EFFECTIVE</b>
Saving Grace, Clinton said, isn't alone in having problems trying to get its voucher program to work. Nationally, only 50 percent of the people given vouchers for free spay or neuter services carry though, he said.
"They work up to a point," he said.
Shelters that offer pet owners rides to a veterinarian's office for a sterilization procedure have much higher compliance rates, he said.
A number of people have transportation problems. The lowest compliance rates are from senior citizens, low-income families and young couples, groups that may not have full access to reliable transportation, he said.
The plain, cinder-block Saving Grace shelter -- which has the air of the pet equivalent of a jail -- can house up to 30 dogs and 50 cats. There's additional pens for strays or impounded animals brought in by officers from the Animal Control Division of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. However, there's not nearly enough space to meet demand.
Through September, the shelter had taken in 1,589 dogs and 2,507 cats for the year. After accounting for 315 animals, mostly dogs, that were returned to their owners and 1,192 cats and dogs that were adopted, the shelter still had 2,589 animals to deal with.
Shelter officials were able to send 233 dogs and 11 cats to other shelters in Medford, Salem, Corvallis, Albany and Portland. Those shelters, all operated by affiliates of the Humane Society, had space to keep the animals and try to adopt them out.
Saving Grace, Clinton said, isn't alone in having problems trying to get its voucher program to work. Nationally, only 50 percent of the people given vouchers for free spay or neuter services carry though, he said.
"They work up to a point," he said.
Shelters that offer pet owners rides to a veterinarian's office for a sterilization procedure have much higher compliance rates, he said.
A number of people have transportation problems. The lowest compliance rates are from senior citizens, low-income families and young couples, groups that may not have full access to reliable transportation, he said.
The plain, cinder-block Saving Grace shelter -- which has the air of the pet equivalent of a jail -- can house up to 30 dogs and 50 cats. There's additional pens for strays or impounded animals brought in by officers from the Animal Control Division of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. However, there's not nearly enough space to meet demand.
Through September, the shelter had taken in 1,589 dogs and 2,507 cats for the year. After accounting for 315 animals, mostly dogs, that were returned to their owners and 1,192 cats and dogs that were adopted, the shelter still had 2,589 animals to deal with.
Shelter officials were able to send 233 dogs and 11 cats to other shelters in Medford, Salem, Corvallis, Albany and Portland. Those shelters, all operated by affiliates of the Humane Society, had space to keep the animals and try to adopt them out.
Recently, though, the shelter's van broke down. That's made it harder to make those transports. Last week, one of Saving Grace's board members made one of those trips using his own vehicle.
Stray animals picked up throughout Douglas County that are brought to the Saving Grace shelter are kept at least three days, in case an owner can be found to reclaim their pet. Shelter employees would like to keep the animals, especially those that would make good pets, indefinitely. But that's impossible when each new day brings more cats and dog arrivals to the shelter.
The majority of the animals brought to Saving Grace are picked up by animal control deputies working for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Through the first nine months of this year, those deputies brought in 919 dogs and 1,535 cats -- nearly nine animals per day. The majority were taken into custody after the sheriff's office received reports of stray animals.
Another 670 dogs and 972 cats were given to the shelter by owners no longer able to care for their pets.
Saving Grace operates on an annual budget of $242,000. About half of that comes from Douglas County, which provides money for dogs brought to the shelter. The county does not provide any money for cats.
Saving Grace, which also operates a thrift store at 738 S. Pine St. in Roseburg, relies on a staff of 11 employees and 40 volunteers. Compared with facilities in other cities, Douglas County's shelter makes do with a lot less.
The Redmond Humane Society in Central Oregon, for example, serves a population of about 110,000, roughly the same size as Douglas County. It's yearly budget is $350,000.
The Naperville Humane Society in Naperville, Ill., serves a population of 129,000. It operates on a $450,000 budget. In Grand Junction, Colo., Mesa County Animal Services serves a population of 150,000 on a $822,000 budget.
Stray animals picked up throughout Douglas County that are brought to the Saving Grace shelter are kept at least three days, in case an owner can be found to reclaim their pet. Shelter employees would like to keep the animals, especially those that would make good pets, indefinitely. But that's impossible when each new day brings more cats and dog arrivals to the shelter.
The majority of the animals brought to Saving Grace are picked up by animal control deputies working for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Through the first nine months of this year, those deputies brought in 919 dogs and 1,535 cats -- nearly nine animals per day. The majority were taken into custody after the sheriff's office received reports of stray animals.
Another 670 dogs and 972 cats were given to the shelter by owners no longer able to care for their pets.
Saving Grace operates on an annual budget of $242,000. About half of that comes from Douglas County, which provides money for dogs brought to the shelter. The county does not provide any money for cats.
Saving Grace, which also operates a thrift store at 738 S. Pine St. in Roseburg, relies on a staff of 11 employees and 40 volunteers. Compared with facilities in other cities, Douglas County's shelter makes do with a lot less.
The Redmond Humane Society in Central Oregon, for example, serves a population of about 110,000, roughly the same size as Douglas County. It's yearly budget is $350,000.
The Naperville Humane Society in Naperville, Ill., serves a population of 129,000. It operates on a $450,000 budget. In Grand Junction, Colo., Mesa County Animal Services serves a population of 150,000 on a $822,000 budget.
<b>EMOTIONALLY DRAINING RESPONSIBILITY</b>
When room is needed for new arrivals, the job falls to Michelle Hengel or two other shelter employees licensed by the state of Oregon to perform euthanasia procedures. Hardly a day goes by that at least one animal isn't killed.
"It's a very heavy burden. Even those that don't have a name have a face," said Hengel, 26. "We kind of celebrate on days when we don't have to euthanize. That's a good day."
Hengel grew up on a farm in San Juan Bautista, Calif. She was surrounded by cats, dogs, horses, cows, even guinea pigs.
Hengel was used to animals being put down. However, it breaks her heart to see how many shelter animals are euthanized on a regular basis.
The animals are given a lethal dose of pentobarbital, a short-acting barbiturate. The drug is administered intravenously or through a direct injection. It acts to halt activity in the brain and then stops the animal's heart.
"They never feel the pain," said Hengel, who believes strongly that dogs and cats should be allowed to die with dignity. "It requires a gentle and loving approach."
The sorrow Hengel and others feel over having to euthanize so many animals is tempered by the joy they receive by being able to place others in a loving home.
"That's what keeps us going, to be able to place the ones we can and trying to place more," she said.
Saving Grace's long-range plan to increase the number of dogs and cats adopted from the shelter involves construction of a new shelter. Ever since the nonprofit organization took over operation of the former county shelter in 2002, officials have spoken for the need for a new facility.
Officials say the current facility isn't adequate. Dogs are housed in narrow cells, with concrete floors and the cinder block walls magnifying their barking. Cats are kept in cages in several small rooms. A laundry room substitutes as an overflow room for kittens too young to adopt or for cats that have to be held in isolation.
The current shelter lacks space for a proper office. Johnson's desk is in a nearby portable trailer loaned by building contractor Jerry Griese.
When room is needed for new arrivals, the job falls to Michelle Hengel or two other shelter employees licensed by the state of Oregon to perform euthanasia procedures. Hardly a day goes by that at least one animal isn't killed.
"It's a very heavy burden. Even those that don't have a name have a face," said Hengel, 26. "We kind of celebrate on days when we don't have to euthanize. That's a good day."
Hengel grew up on a farm in San Juan Bautista, Calif. She was surrounded by cats, dogs, horses, cows, even guinea pigs.
Hengel was used to animals being put down. However, it breaks her heart to see how many shelter animals are euthanized on a regular basis.
The animals are given a lethal dose of pentobarbital, a short-acting barbiturate. The drug is administered intravenously or through a direct injection. It acts to halt activity in the brain and then stops the animal's heart.
"They never feel the pain," said Hengel, who believes strongly that dogs and cats should be allowed to die with dignity. "It requires a gentle and loving approach."
The sorrow Hengel and others feel over having to euthanize so many animals is tempered by the joy they receive by being able to place others in a loving home.
"That's what keeps us going, to be able to place the ones we can and trying to place more," she said.
Saving Grace's long-range plan to increase the number of dogs and cats adopted from the shelter involves construction of a new shelter. Ever since the nonprofit organization took over operation of the former county shelter in 2002, officials have spoken for the need for a new facility.
Officials say the current facility isn't adequate. Dogs are housed in narrow cells, with concrete floors and the cinder block walls magnifying their barking. Cats are kept in cages in several small rooms. A laundry room substitutes as an overflow room for kittens too young to adopt or for cats that have to be held in isolation.
The current shelter lacks space for a proper office. Johnson's desk is in a nearby portable trailer loaned by building contractor Jerry Griese.
<b>MODERN SHELTER ON TAP</b>
Next spring, Saving Grace plans to kick off a fundraising campaign to raise $1.8 million for a new shelter that will include larger kennel pens that would open out into exercise runs with a walking area.
There would also be an outdoor park, where residents looking to adopt a pet could go outside with animals to socialize and evaluate the appropriateness of a particular dog or cat for their family. It's expected it will take three years for the new facility to get built.
The use of larger kennels would contribute greatly to making dogs feel less stress. That, in turn, would foster fewer behavioral problems where the dogs feel a need to bark.
It's apparent that the animals held at the shelter are stressed out, Winston resident Marion Duber said.
Last week, Duber adopted a 9-week-old Manx kitten she found at the shelter. When she viewed the black cat in its cage, Duber thought it might be sick. The animal was curled up and listless.
That changed almost immediately, Duber said, after she took the cat she calls Pooka home.
"She was very frightened and depressed," Duber said. "She's lost all that. Now, she wants to purr and be with you."
Pooka is the second cat Duber adopted from the shelter. She also has an orange-and-white mix tabby that has four front paws. That cat, named Dupe -- short for duplex, in light of the extra paws -- has lived with Duber for about a year and a half.
She said she would also like to see a new shelter.
"The facility is just too small for what they do," Duber said.
• You can reach reporter John Sowell at 957-4209 or by e-mail at jsowell@newsreview.info.
Next spring, Saving Grace plans to kick off a fundraising campaign to raise $1.8 million for a new shelter that will include larger kennel pens that would open out into exercise runs with a walking area.
There would also be an outdoor park, where residents looking to adopt a pet could go outside with animals to socialize and evaluate the appropriateness of a particular dog or cat for their family. It's expected it will take three years for the new facility to get built.
The use of larger kennels would contribute greatly to making dogs feel less stress. That, in turn, would foster fewer behavioral problems where the dogs feel a need to bark.
It's apparent that the animals held at the shelter are stressed out, Winston resident Marion Duber said.
Last week, Duber adopted a 9-week-old Manx kitten she found at the shelter. When she viewed the black cat in its cage, Duber thought it might be sick. The animal was curled up and listless.
That changed almost immediately, Duber said, after she took the cat she calls Pooka home.
"She was very frightened and depressed," Duber said. "She's lost all that. Now, she wants to purr and be with you."
Pooka is the second cat Duber adopted from the shelter. She also has an orange-and-white mix tabby that has four front paws. That cat, named Dupe -- short for duplex, in light of the extra paws -- has lived with Duber for about a year and a half.
She said she would also like to see a new shelter.
"The facility is just too small for what they do," Duber said.
• You can reach reporter John Sowell at 957-4209 or by e-mail at jsowell@newsreview.info.
