The conditions for the animals at the Montgomery County shelter have always been deplorable. I've been in this county for 25 years, and at various times the humane society here has tried to make a difference, only to be ignored by the county commissioners. Although this is a poor county, the lack of funding to improve things is not because the money isn't available. From what I've seen, it seems that the general attitude of many people, especially those who could make a major difference, is that animals are expendable and their suffering doesn't matter. If the shelter has failed to meet regulations, why hasn't the state done something about it? Do the regulations have no teeth, just words and a shaking of a finger at the people who should be fixing things?

Another problem, which isn't addressed here, is the fee for spay/neuter...a lot more than what some other vets charge in other counties. How can people afford it even if they want to be responsible owners?

Thank God for the SPCA. Thankful that they not only talk the talk, but they walk the walk - unlike the HSUS.

Praying they can save many many more from Montgomery County, and that all find homes QUICKLY.

driverkid3 - I'm the opposite. I will never "rescue" an animal ever again, even though, now I know their tricks and know what they want to hear so that I can get whatever pet I'd want. It doesn't pay to be honest with them. And the shelter and SPCA prefers to give the "good" animals to "rescue" groups who farm them out to "foster" parents.

I have often thought this very thing happens, and if you are "in" with the rescue groups, you get first choice. I have adopted shelter dogs/cats in the past and have had both good and bad results. Hit or miss. I do think spay/neuter is the only answer. Animals don't know about "abstinence", so what if there where a cheaper option given as puppies, like an animal IUD?

oops -- and to your second point. It's completely different. Wake County spends over $2 million each year to round up and shelter animals and at the time that article was done, they had significantly declined in their successes, despite having the means to do so. They weren't going from bad to bad they were taking a step back from where they had been. Their policies and procedures have changed for the better since that time. But knowing exactly where to help Montgomery Co. is difficult. They have no computer, no internet access. This is just something we haven't seen before in terms of other help we've able to provide to other counties. The problem needs multiple players in the solution. I hope we can be one of them. As a non-profit in these times it's difficult enough to run the programs we have now.

Yes the state has legislated enough -- and it's good legislation. They passed an unfunded mandate, which worked well in bringing counties up to code that could and just hadn't or simply wouldn't. But now it's been 6 years and some shelters haven't. It is my suggestion that perhaps they don't have the tax base to go to for that money AND the state money that is already available for poor counties isn't accessible to the absolute poorest ones. I'm not advocating for more legislation -- just to fix a glitch in the system that is only just becoming clear. Could the S/N funding be expanded to perhaps allow for making it possible for counties to bring themselves to a point where they can have the infrastructure to apply for the preventative money? I don't know, but that's the kind of connection I was trying to make to start the conversation.

We are putting a bandaid on a major problem. Support mandatory spay/neuter for all companion animals. Report suspected backyard breeders and puppy mills. Report dog fighting. Call your representatives and demand they address this problem with animal welfare. Then we are being proactive, not reactive.

http://www.wral.com/news/local/wral_investigates/story/10272838/ Updated: October 19, 2011 SPCA, county shelter disagree on euthanization policy

In January, the county animal center euthanized 131 dogs, or about 18 percent of those brought in. By August, that number climbed to 327 dogs put down, or nearly 42 percent of the intake. Just-released September numbers show 281 dogs euthanized, 40 percent of intake.

"I would use the word 'tragic' for what's happening," said Lisa Kroll, the SPCA's associate executive director.

Hope Hancock, executive director of the SPCA, says she attributes the increased euthanizations to "a void of leadership" at the animal center. __________________________________

Wake SPCA - where is your "void in leadership" comment for Montgomery County officials?

MLamb - I'm glad you made an appearance here in the comments. The state has legislated enough; they've legislated that shelters be brought to some legislated code, and you're saying the county doesn't have enough to do it. You're also saying that there's spay/neuter funds from the government, but the county can't get the money because there is no structure. So when are you going to stop saying that the government is the answer in this situation? Your 3rd comment states, "We need the state to intervene ..." Apparently the state isn't worth much in this situation.

I'll ask again: Why can't your successful SPCA start raising money for these horrid shelters? *YOU* have the resources, public voice, and knowledge to do so. The solution to the problem IS NOT complex. It's a matter of *just doing it*. In the past, you've criticized WCACC for a much lower euthanasia rate, yet you aren't willing to look at the people who run Montogomery's pound and criticize them.

anotherbabyboomer - yep, i totally agree. these do-gooder types loves to stand in judgment over people. Pets are animals not children no matter how you dress them up and talk to them. Used to, everyone's dogs stayed outside. But they apparently have no issue with people who crate their dogs in tiny enclosures all day. I just don't get it but it really seems to make them feel better about themselves for some reason.

Terribe that these puppy mills think of $$$ instead of the dog's life. I pray that these puppies/dogs can find the love that they deserve in families taht adopt them. They need to have a Merry Christmas too! As for the ones out there that run these puppy mills, have a heart and stop treating these animals like this.

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