Dumping pets a burden on national forests

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July 31, 2007

Ernie Murray The Huntsville Item Tue Jul 31, 2007, 10:58 PM CDT

Each year, unwanted cats and dogs dumped on national forest lands kill and harass native birds, small mammals, amphibians and reptiles.

In turn, these animals live a stressed existence, becoming undernourished, disease-ridden and mauled by predators such as coyotes, bobcats and hawks.

“The suffering of both pets and wildlife is all the more tragic because it is so unnecessary,” according to Sam Houston National Forest Wildlife Biologist Nancy Jordan. “People who can no longer take care of their pets think the animal is better off in the ‘freedom’ of the wild rather than taking it to a shelter where it may be euthanized.

“While it is true that many dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters each year, many are adopted.”

Jordan also points out that it is a violation of state law to dump animals.

Pet overpopulation is a huge problem; a female cat can produce two to three litters per year.

If only two of those litters results in 2.8 kittens per litter, that female cat can be responsible for 2,107 descendents in six years.

“It is far better to give the dog or cat a chance at adoption instead of abandoning it to a life of stress and disease in the wild,” Jordan said.

Feral cats are particularly susceptible to feline leukemia virus, feline panleukopenia virus, feline infectious peritonitis, feline immunodeficiency virus, and upper respiratory infections.

Feral cats and dogs can contract and then transmit to humans such diseases as rabies, plague, cat-scratch disease, toxoplasmosis, roundworms, and hookworms.

Jordan suggests curbing pet overpopulation by:

• Spaying and neutering pets;

• Bringing pet food inside after feedings;

• Securing trash cans with lids; and

• Taking unwanted or abandoned pets to local shelters.

To report someone abandoning animals on the Sam Houston National Forest, call 936-344-6205 extensions 6238 or 6241.

To contact the animal shelter in Walker County, call 936-295-4666; in Montgomery County, call 936-441-4762 or 936-271-7600.

Ernie Murray is Public Affairs Specialist for the National Forests & Grasslands based in Lufkin.

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