"Last year, we received $2,000 through the Department of Agriculture. We expended that and were able to alter 34 animals," Mosley said. "The maximum we can apply for is $5,000, and we are hopeful to get that this year. We should know how much we are getting by March."
Mosley stressed that pet owners throughout the county should try to have their pet spayed or neutered to help control the pet population.
"It seems like we have an abundance of stray animals throughout Harlan County. We get several calls each day about stray cats and dogs," Mosley said.
In 2007 alone, 2,183 dogs and 688 cats were taken to the Harlan County Animal Shelter, where 929 of those animals were eventually euthanized.
"It is really alarming that we are having to euthanize that many animals," Mosley said.
Due to the high population of animals in the county, the Harlan County Fiscal Court passed a motion, in March of 2006, that all animals leaving the animal shelter had to be spayed or neutered.
"We were continuing to populate the world with animals by not making sure they were fixed when they came out of the shelter," Mosley said.
Mosley said the people wanting to adopt an animal from the shelter must pay a one time adoption fee of $90. The adoption fee will allow the pet to receive proper shots and an examination, along with being spayed or neutered.
He also emphasized that anyone searching for a new pet should consider stopping by the animal shelter.
"I have a dog from the shelter, and it's the best dog I have ever had. When it dies, I will go to the animal shelter and find another one," Mosley said. "There are always good animals to adopt from the shelter. We want people to know that they can find a friend for life at the animal shelter."
Animal control officer Duncan Caldwell also stressed the need more people from the county to begin their search for a new pet at the animal shelter.
"We have all kinds of wonderful animals here that are needing good homes. If people are interested in adopting they just come down here and pay the fee of $90," Caldwell said. "We make all of the appointments for the animal. All the owner has to do is come and pick it up."
Anyone who wishes to donate to the Harlan County Animal Shelter may write a check to Friends of the Shelter and take it to the shelter, located in Baxter. Anyone interested in obtaining more information or adopting a pet from the shelter may contact Mosley at 573-2600 or the Harlan County Animal Shelter at 573-8867. Animals may also be adopted by using petfinder.com, where pictures of the animals are available.
The animal shelter is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
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