Spaying and neutering works

People aren't the only ones on the move to Kootenai County in search of a brighter future.

Dogs from out of state have been arriving at the Kootenai Humane Society this year - one step closer to finding a new home.

Debbie Jeffrey, KHS director of operations, said about 75 dogs from other areas have been transported to the facility this year. Many were on their way to being euthanized due to being at facilities that keep sheltered dogs around a limited amount of time.

Some of the dogs have been Chihuahuas from the Los Angeles area where the breed's popularity and population has exploded due to Taco Bell commercials and the trend of ladies carrying the small dogs in their purses, Jeffrey said.

"They've gone overboard on Chihuahuas in California," Jeffrey said.

But KHS has had no problems adopting the pooches up here.

"Small dogs go quickly here," Jeffrey said, adding that dogs have also come from states such as Oklahoma, Texas and Montana this year.

Jeffrey said at an adoption event last spring, two Chihuahuas she transported there didn't even make it to the booth before they were adopted.

"All six within the first two hours were gone," she said. "Sometimes, if you just put the dogs in a new environment, they get adopted."

Jeffrey said the available space at KHS to house the dogs from other areas is the direct result from the success of the spay and neuter programs of the nonprofit and other groups in the area.

Ten years ago the KHS adopted a policy that every animal be spayed or neutered before being adopted.

"We're not seeing the influx of puppies that we once were," Jeffrey said. "This year we've only had one litter of puppies come in. When you don't have the influx of puppies like we once had, it helps with getting other dogs."

Jeffrey said KHS continues to also take in dogs that haven't been adopted within a specified time from regional shelters, such as those in Post Falls and Spokane.

Andy Smith, KHS board president, said bringing in dogs from out of state is a win all the way around because KHS receives revenue from the adoption fees, doesn't pay to transport the dogs here and lives up to its mission of saving dogs and finding new homes for them.

"We've been consistent with our effort over the past 10 years of altering animals in our care to help curb the pet overpopulation and we're seeing the results of that," Smith said.

Jeffrey said the transportation of the dogs from outside the area to KHS is funded by private donations from across the country.

"People who are animal lovers are willing to spend money because it comes down to saving animals' lives," she said. "When (transport services) pull into our shelter, all they do is hand us the paperwork on the animals and move on to the next shelter."

Meanwhile, there continues to be a waiting list to bring cats in to KHS to be adopted. A waiting list of 85 had been pared down to 24 as of Monday, Jeffrey said.

The kitten influx heats up in mid-May and continues through November.

Jeffrey said it's more difficult to see the positive results of spay and neuter programs with cats - at least with available space at the facility - because cats are free roaming and there are fewer laws concerning cats.

Last month KHS adopted out 183 total cats and dogs - considerably more than a typical month, Jeffrey said.

"We're getting them on the floor and out the door," she said.