Hiwassee Dam – Annette Ledford owns a farm, with plenty of room for dogs to run and play safely. She also has a large covered porch on her house.
She has an insulated doghouse, which was left vacant with the unfortunate passing of her 14-year-old four-legged friend, Hobo. When the time was right, Ledford decided to contact the Valley River Humane Society to see about adopting another dog, as she wanted a mate for her 8-month-old Australian shepherd, Gypsy.
Her idea was to come home with a dog that would enjoy the outdoors and could adapt to colder temperatures. Her potential new canine would remain outdoors, except when the weather wasn’t suitable. During those days, her dog would then come inside and stay in a crate.
Ledford did not see this as a problem, as she lives in the country and has always had outside dogs. However, the humane society did have a problem with her wanting to keep the dog outside most of the time, and she was not able to adopt as a result.
Ledford then went to the Union County Humane Society in Blairsville, Ga., where she was told there would not be a problem adopting from them. However, there were no dogs available at the time that would be a match to pair with her current dog.
So Ledford called the Valley River Humane Society again, and again she was told they did not have a dog for her to adopt.
“I felt that I was being treated as though I would be abusing the dog,” Ledford said. “The wrong people are in charge for this area.
“This is a farming community, and dogs are outdoors. They are overpopulated, but won’t allow anyone to adopt if the dog will be outdoors.”
Carol Reagan, office manager for the humane society at 7450 U.S. 19 in Marble, explained their dog adopting policies.
“It was not the policy of the employees, but rather the board’s policy,” she said. “We’re the ones who see what happens to these dogs that live outside, and the shape they’re in because of it. We’re the ones who deal with what happens to them.
“We see the heartworm that’s caused by a mosquito. It’s a slow and painful death if it’s not treated. We see it because we treat them.”
Reagan said the policies are in place for the protection of the animals.
“We just want people to take care of their animals, walk them on leashes so they don’t get hit by cars and then we have to raise the money to take care of them,” she said.
Another condition of dogs usually kept outside include flea dermatitis, which can looks like mange. Reagan said they want the dogs to be a part of a family.
For $75, a local resident can adopt a dog, which includes all vaccines for the year, including rabies; a heartworm test; heartworm, flea and tick preventatives; spaying or neutering; and a microchip will be placed. They will even register the chip for the new owner.
The Valley River Humane Society operates a “no kill” animal shelter, which is why it is full, with plenty of animals looking for a forever home. For details, visit valleyriverhumanesociety.org or call 837-2304.