Pet abandonment on the rise in Imperial County
Over the last few months, there has been an increase in pet abandonment at the Humane Society of Imperial County.
Staff members at the humane society found a litter of kittens that they said was abandoned by the shelter’s gates in a shoe box.
Devon Apodaca, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Imperial County, said pets who are abandoned are frightened in an unknown environment. This leads them to run into danger.
Apodaca remembers how he and his staff tried to catch an abandoned cat who was left at the shelter.
“We set out traps every night to try and catch her [but] we were unsuccessful and I believe it was on Tuesday or Wednesday of last week. We found her dead on Imperial Avenue she had been hit by a car,” said Apodaca.
The shelter plans to improve their security cameras to discourage those who plan to abandon their pets and catch those who do.
Apodaca said, “They need to be held responsible. Animal abandonment is illegal in the state of California and if you’re going to do it, you’re going to get caught. You will be held accountable.”
According to Apodaca, abandoned animals can be a public health and safety concern.
“Animals also have been known to cause car accidents when they go into the street and also there are certain diseases that are contagious that animals may carry such as rabies,” said Apodaca.
He hopes locals consider all alternatives instead of deserting their pets.
Apodaca added, “We want more pet owners to be more responsible and do their part. And not just discard their pets like an old pair of shoes.”
Apodaca said if anyone finds a stray pet to contact animal control who temporarily house stray animals. This gives owners time to claim their animals.
