SCRAPS putting more pets to death

The Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service shelter has received so many unwanted pets this week that it has already had to euthanize dogs and cats on two days, double the number of euthanasia days in a typical week.

The shelter started the week with space for animals, but quickly filled up as people brought in dogs and entire litters of kittens.

On Monday alone the shelter took in 30 cats, said spokeswoman Patricia Simonet.

Rescue groups that usually help with the overflow are also full, said Simonet.

“To accept animals now, it means somebody (already at the shelter) has to die,” she said.

First to go are those brought in by their own owners, said Simonet. That’s because people may be looking for strays, so the shelter holds on to them longer.

Also euthanized earlier during overcrowded situations are kittens too young to adopt out. Many are brought in at four weeks of age, but SCRAPS won’t adopt them out until they are eight weeks old.

“They’re just too fragile if they are younger than that,” said Simonet.

Almost 40 pets have been euthanized this week.

SCRAPS officials are urging pet owners to spay or neuter their animals to avoid adding to the unwanted pet population

The shelter offers discount vouchers for the procedures to pet owners living within its jurisdiction if they license their pets.

The vouchers are good for anywhere from $27.50-$50 off the procedures depending on whether the pet is male or female and a cat or a dog.

It costs $13 to license a dog and $8 to license a cat.

Of course, SCRAPS is also encouraging people to adopt animals at the shelter.

“It’s a struggle to get more animals out the door than in the door in a day,” said Simonet. “We celebrate those days.”