HUMANE SOCIETY OF
CLARKSVILLE-MONTGOMERY
COUNTY
POLICY STATEMENTS
The purpose of these
statements is to describe the beliefs of the Humane Society of
Clarksville-Montgomery County. These
policy statements also provide guidelines for volunteers and others representing
the Humane Society in public forums. Agreed-upon
policy statements demonstrate a resolve to accomplish the mission of the
organization as well as to ensure consistency in the delivery of the Humane
Society’s message.
EUTHANASIA
The Humane Society of
Clarksville-Montgomery County recognizes that there are more dogs, cats, puppies
and kittens in
Montgomery
County
than there are responsible and loving homes.
The Humane Society also recognizes that reducing euthanasia of healthy
adoptable pets in animal shelters will only come about through the two-prong
strategy of aggressive spay and neuter programs and effective adoption
practices, referred to as “reducing intake and improving outcomes.”
Furthermore, the Humane Society believes that terms such as “kill
shelters” and “doggy death row” are non-productive and divisive terms that
perpetuate negative attitudes about shelters that are required to euthanize
healthy adoptable pets because of irresponsible pet owners.
Shelters, governmental or private, should be judged on their adherence to
accepted sheltering standards put forth by National Animal Control Association,
the Humane Society of the
United States
and the American Humane Association. The
Humane Society of Clarksville-Montgomery is committed to “reducing
intake and improving outcomes” for the community of
Montgomery
County
.
TETHERING
The Humane Society of Clarksville-Montgomery County recognizes that
leaving a dog or puppy tethered, or tied out, indefinitely on a chain, rope or
cable is neither humane to the animal nor safe for the community.
Because dogs are social animals, being chained in one place for hours,
days, months and years, is inhumane. Tethers
commonly become tangled and endanger the dog’s life.
Dogs subjected to continuous tethering can suffer severe boredom and
frustration resulting in incessant barking and antisocial behavior.
Tethering is a factor in increasing the risk of a dog biting, thereby
creating a hazard to the community. The
Humane Society recommends that dogs be kept indoors at night, taken on regular
walks and be provided with adequate attention, food, water and veterinary care;
and that any tethering be limited to eight (8) hours within a 24-hour period.
ANIMAL CONTROL
The Humane Society of Clarksville-Montgomery County recognizes that for
the sake of public health and safety, and the quality of life in a community, it
is imperative that the City and County governments provide animal control
services. The program
for the City of
Clarksville
and
Montgomery
County
should include:
·
Local government support, political and financial
·
Comprehensive animal control ordinance and enforcement capability
·
Access to affordable sterilization services
·
Adequate facilities and equipment
·
Staff of professionally trained animal caretakers to quickly and
humanely handle animals at minimum risk to themselves
·
Working relationship with one or more veterinarians
·
Effective public education program
Source: 1993
MIS Report, Local Animal Control Management
SPAYING & NEUTERING
The Humane Society of Clarksville-Montgomery County recognizes that
spaying or neutering of all companion cats and dogs is one of the most effective
means of reducing pet overpopulation in this community.
Sterilizing cats and dogs not only reduces the number of homeless
animals, but also provides community benefits by reducing the incidence of dog
bites, and the costs of animal control. Sterilization
also provides health benefits to animals by reducing or eliminating the risks of
certain cancers. All animals adopted
from the Humane Society will be spayed or neutered.
PETS AS GIFTS
The Humane Society of Clarksville-Montgomery County believes that a
commitment to responsible pet ownership is a decision no one can make for
another person; therefore, no animals will be adopted as gifts.
However, an animal may be adopted for another member of the family
provided that member of the family is included in the selection and screening
process. Also, giving pets as gifts
during holidays such as Christmas is not advised given the busy nature of the
season. Bringing a dog, cat, kitten
or puppy into the home in competition with holiday gatherings and goings on can
be very stressful for the new animal. Holidays
also harbor hazards to pets such as poisonous plants, breakable ornaments,
tinsel, too much food as treats, and so forth.
The Humane Society advises waiting for a quieter time of year so that the
new family member can get used to his/her new surroundings and learn the rules
of the new home without so many distractions and potential hazards.
PETS AS PRIZES OR FOR
COMMERCIAL PROMOTION
The Humane Society of Clarksville-Montgomery County opposes the giving
away of animals by raffle, lottery, and other means of chance, or promoting
sales by attracting customers in this manner.
The Humane Society believes that such “giveaways” cheapen regard for
animal life and creates a situation in which there is no knowledge or control of
the persons who will receive the animals, the conditions in which the animals
will live, or the use to which the animals will be put.
ENDORSEMENT OF COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS OR SERVICES
The Humane Society of Clarksville-Montgomery County does not endorse any
commercial product, facility or service or permit its being advertised or
promoted as having the approval of this Humane Society.
The Society will attempt to avoid favoritism or partiality in its
relationship with pet food, shelter supply and animal product manufacturers
and/or distributors. This does
not exclude Humane Society staff, members or volunteers from expressing a
preference for a particular product or service, which has proven, through
experience, to be superior to others of a similar kind.
PETS IN HOUSING
EASTER CHICKS,
RABBITS AND OTHER BABY ANIMALS
The Humane Society of Clarksville-Montgomery County opposes the sale of
baby rabbits, chicks, ducklings, and goslings sold or offered for sale as pets
and toys during the Easter season. Large
numbers of these animals suffer neglect and death because of ignorance of their
specialized feeding and care requirements. Others
are abandoned or surrendered to animal shelters after the novelty of ownership
has worn off. Every purchase of an
animal for a pet must be carefully considered and planned for.
RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP