Franklin Humane Society marks 10 years of service

LAURIE EDWARDS | Laker Weekly

Jo Jo Binks is one of more than 30 kittens available for adoption at Franklin County Humane Society's no-kill shelter.

It started with a question: How do you deal with the dog and cat overpopulation in Franklin County?

Donna Essig, president of the Franklin County Humane Society, said the nonprofit's members began discussing the issue in 1999, concerned about the high kill rate at the Franklin County Animal Shelter.

The following year, the Humane Society took a first step toward helping to control the county's pet population. Ten years ago last month, it opened Planned Pethood, a low-cost spay and neuter clinic in Rocky Mount.

"When you do spay and neuter, it's going to prevent the birth of several animals," said Essig.

Over the last decade, the clinic has sterilized 34,363 dogs and cats, she said. The majority were from Franklin County, but Planned Pethood also services the surrounding area.

Although Essig said it's hard to draw firm cause-and-effect lines, she has noted a slight decrease in the number of animals being dropped off at the county shelter since Planned Pethood opened. In 2000, the county shelter took in about 2,000 animals, as opposed to just under 1,800 last year.

Essig said she hoped that number would be lower, but there are a number of factors that may be keeping that number high. The shelter's hours have increased, and according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county's population has grown by an estimated 5,000 people in the past 10 years.

"Then we have another double whammy of the economic situation," said Essig.

Some pet owners who drop off their animals have said they're no longer able to afford food for the animals, said Essig. Others may have had to find cheaper housing at places that don't allow animals.

"It's difficult to read the numbers this year," said Essig. "I'm hoping that when the economy settles down, we may see some of these numbers drop."

To help further decrease the county's euthanasia rate, the Humane Society opened a no-kill adoption center in April 2009. It can hold up to 100 animals, some rescued from the county's animal shelter. Essig said the Humane Society works closely with the county employees. Other adoptable pets were released into the Humane Society's custody by previous owners.

"We're always overfull," said Essig. "The reality is, we can't take in every stray kitten because the numbers are too great. The county pound has to, but they also have to kill because of that."

For more information about the Franklin County Humane Society, visit plannedpethoodrockymount.com.