Tails will wag if a dog park proposed last week gets the nod.
The city is considering the request of residents who would like to see a small amount of public space dedicated to a fenced, leash-free environment for dogs. Twenty-some residents told the parks advisory board a dog park would allow for greater exercise and socialization opportunities — and the cost? Not much more than the price of fencing. Additionally, those in favor seemed willing to put their money where their mouths were.
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If Montrose’s animal lovers are willing to foot the bill for such luxuries as dog parks, then surely they will be willing to support actual necessities for our four-footed friends.
The Montrose animal shelter can always use donations and volunteers. More than anything, the cats and dogs there could use a good home. According to a 2006 report, there were 574 adoptions compared to 2005’s 715. Depressingly, though, 1,024 cats and dogs had to be put to sleep when cage space ran out.
The Montrose Animal Protection Association works tirelessly to raise funds to assist with low-cost spays and neuters. Sterilizing pets is the best way to cut down on the number of cats and dogs that end up on “death row.” MAPA could use some money, some members amd some acknowledgement.
Above all, it seems animal lovers’ energies could best be directed toward the creation of a no-kill animal shelter. This will take some of the pressure off the city’s shelter and also reduce the number of pets euthanized.
In this regard, Montrose is considerably behind the curve. Grand Junction has the Roice Hurst Humane Society. Delta County’s Humane Society operates a foster program. Ridgway’s Second Chance Humane Society is also a no-kill shelter. Cortez has both a Humane Society foster care program and a no-kill shelter, the latter of which is supported by the sheer dedication of its operator, who works multiple jobs.
All of the above have great demand for their services, and some times, the demand comes from Montrose residents who can’t bear to send a cat or dog to the shelter.
Our city shelter does its best and also participates in several animal league networks to make sure as many pets as possible are adopted.
But we as residents can do our part — and that starts with getting our priorities straight. A dog park, though a great idea, should come after we’ve created and fully funded a no-kill shelter.
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