It was last Thursday morning. Hubby and I had just checked a guest into one of our cabins when I heard yelping coming from the back of our property. I drove around when I heard some barking in and around the shed. Suddenly this little black face with white markings and huge eyes stuck his head out. A tiny puppy, just a few weeks old, came running out as fast as his little legs would carry him. He tripped over his own feet more than he ran … but he was definitely a cutie!
Where did he come from? We looked everywhere for signs of the rest of a litter or mother, to no avail. As we turned to social media and calls to neighbors to try and find its owner, it was looking as though this was yet another case of a dog unwanted dumped out in the country. We made plans on how best to rescue him and get him a home. Next day we took him to our vet, got necessary injections and medicines to start. Then we made contact with a friend who has resources to help us find Mr. Wiggles (our temporary name for this adorable, energetic, loud, eats everything mixed breed) a new home.
Since living in rural Texas, we have had over 12 dogs dumped in and around our property. It happens outside of city limits everywhere. Unfortunately, most shelters are full with no space to house and feed the over-abundance of pets in our state. How any human being can simply discard any living thing leaves me sick to my stomach.
Texas is facing a severe, record-high pet overpopulation crisis, with an estimated 568,325 dogs and cats entering shelters in 2023, resulting in over 82,000 euthanized pets—among the highest in the U.S.. Driven by high stray populations, increased surrenders, and limited vet access, the state is launching a $13M pilot program for spay/neuter services to manage the crisis.
In 2023, Texas led the nation in shelter killings, with over 96,000 animals euthanized, according to some data sources. Many shelters are operating at or near full capacity, straining resources. The crisis is driven by low spay/neuter rates—with, in some areas, up to 79% of dogs and 89% of cats entering shelters being unfixed—along with a shortage of veterinarians, increased surrenders, and high costs for veterinary care. The over-population leads to high euthanasia rates, disease spread (rabies, ringworm), and public safety concerns, such as roaming packs of dogs. While the state of Texas is implementing a program for free or low-cost spay and neuter services, much more needs to be done. If you can, contact your state legislator to urge passage of strong, meaningful legislation to prevent the overpopulation of pets.
As I was holding Mr. Wiggles this morning (who is an angel when he’s sleeping), I thought how much our society has become a throw away society. We discard living things as if they are used toys. We dump pets on the side of the road … we kill babies in the womb … we forget our elderly, or worse, euthanize. All life is precious from the womb to the tomb.
What do you think?
Tagged: Christians in culture, dogs
