Animal Control, law enforcement and our organization all receive reports of dog fighting in homes and buildings in and around the uptown area of Shelby as well as in barns and other arenas in more rural areas of the county. Evidence left behind supports these reports, but without catching the fight in the act, nothing can be done to prosecute those involved.

We are fighting an uphill battle especially in more rural southern areas, and North Carolina lags behind most other states. Anti-tethering bills are being passed in California and Texas that do not allow dogs to be chained out for more than three hours in a 24 hour period. States as close as Virginia are considering anti-chaining legislation in order to protect animals as well as the general public. How does this protect the public? About three-quarters of serious dog attacks come from tethered or chained dogs.

Spaying and neutering is a hot topic on a local and national level as millions of unwanted animals are being destroyed by shelters nationwide. One California city has enacted mandatory spay/neuter and micro chipping of all dogs and cats to reduce euthanasia by its shelter. In 2006, our Animal Control euthanized over 6,100 animals in its carbon monoxide gas chamber.

Our county is in a rabies epidemic. The Health Department feels that the large number of unvaccinated dogs and cats coupled with the increased number of rabid wildlife prevents them from lifting the rabies quarantine at Animal Control. Unable to affect the rabies quarantine, CCHS has asked the Health Department and Animal Control to consider injectable euthanasia, the more humane alternative. We received a positive response at our first meeting and will continue to work toward this goal.

Our shelter has been working tirelessly taking in many more animals this year than in years past. From January through November, we took in 115 puppies and dogs and 136 kittens and cats. This is an 85% increase in the number of dogs and a 42% increase in the number of cats from 2006. We have placed 86 dogs and puppies and 89 cats and kittens in new adoptive homes.

Each of these adopted animals was vaccinated, spayed or neutered, tested and microchipped. As our cost in each animal far outweighs our adoption fee, we have relied greatly on your financial support.

Our job is not always a happy one as noted in the 87 Abuse and Neglect Reports called in to us and the 43 animals that we had to euthanize this year due to severe temperament problems, illnesses and injuries. We receive many calls from people who have no money to have their personal pets euthanized when they are suffering and others who find stray animals that are suffering from illness, gun shot wounds and hit by car type injuries.

We also see horrible abuse cases, such as the one I witnessed on July 4th of this year. I was called to a home near uptown Shelby where two dogs were suffering from severe starvation and dehydration. Forcing the owner to release the dogs to CCHS, I took them immediately to a veterinarian for emergency care. Although the veterinarian was not sure that one of the dogs could be saved, Diamond's desire to live was strong. Within three months Diamond's weight more than doubled, from 20 to 42 pounds, and on October 5, she was adopted into a very loving home. Some unhappy beginnings do have fairy tale endings. The other dog from this case remains at our shelter and is available for adoption.

The Cleveland County Humane Society is currently blessed with very devoted employees and volunteers who are working very hard to assist as many animals as our funds, facility and resources allow. Please visit our website at www.clevelandcountyhumanesociety.petfinder.com and see some of our pets available for adoption. Thank you for your support that allows us to continue to help the people and the sick, abused, injured, and homeless animals of our area.

You can help more animals have happy endings. In addition to membership, there are many ways to donate to our Humane Society and shelter. Consider giving a gift in honor or in memory of someone as a Christmas or birthday gift. Remember your beloved pets by honoring or memorializing them at our Holiday Pet tree located at the Cleveland Mall. You can shop for a variety of items throughout the year online at www.igive.com or for your pet supplies at www.RescuePetStore.com where a percentage of your purchases can be assigned to our organization. Also, donate your used household goods and clothes to UA Thrift and check Cleveland County Humane Society on the receipt.

Wishing you, your family, and your beloved pets a blessed holiday.

Warmest regards,

Marguerite Ferchaud Mebane, President/Volunteer
Cleveland County Humane Society