DVM speaks to Rotarians on high cost of animal shelters

Rotarian Jerry Camp with Dr. Jane Mahlow, DVM, at Kilgore Rotary Club Wednesday. Jane Mahlow, DVM, was the guest speaker for the Kilgore Rotary Club on Wednesday. She spoke about the cost of keeping animals in shelters and how the problem can be addressed.

"We spend $200 million in Texas alone to keep animals in shelters during the year," she said. "That means we spend $2 billion in the United States. The problem of keeping cats and dogs in shelters is an expensive thing."

She said a stay for an animal in Kilgore costs $176 for four days, whether or not they are euthenized or returned to the owner or adopted out.

"Three out of four cats are euthenized in our shelters," she said. "And, 55 percent of the dogs are euthenized."

She also said that, according to statistics, for every human born there are six dogs and cats born.

How are cities handling this?

Some are adopting breeding permits or litter permits. Others are going to variations of licensing for pets and having an automatic neutering fee thrown in when a pet is picked up.

"There are a wide variety of things happening to correct this problem," she said. "Some cities are educating pet owners, old and young, so that they will help control the numbers of pets being born."

She said Gregg County has just over 1,000 animals that were picked up last year and 300 of them were euthenized.

"This is a problem we need to deal with now," she said. "Because it is not going to get any better."

The fish fry is this coming Saturday at the Kilgore Community House. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children under 12 and are available from any Rotary member or at the door. The menu is fish, French fries, hush puppies, tomato relish, tea or water.

Kilgore is the first to have its money in for RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership) camp and will send eight children to the first camp.

Kilgore Rotary members handed out dictionaries to children at Chandler Elementary School on Wednesday. This is the third year they have done this program. Those attending were K Castles, David Castles, Roy Walker, Pam DeCeault and David Goodwin.

Wednesday, Jimmy Rieves, Kilgore College football coach, will be the guest speaker for the club.

Kilgore Rotary Club meets each Wednesday at noon in the Masonic Lodge. Guests are always welcome.