Beyond no-kill animal shelters.

Byline: GUEST VIEWPOINT By Johnni Prince For The Register-Guard

The Jack Russell terrier pictured in The Register-Guard's April 30 article about no-kill policies in Lane County animal shelters seems doomed. The caption states that he `awaits his fate at Lane County Animal Regulation Authority." This seems to underscore the tragic state of affairs in this county regarding animals in shelters.

In fact, the dog, whose name is Jax, is currently residing in the kennel at Greenhill, where he is waiting patiently for his forever family to discover him and make him a part of their family.

Jax is one of the many dogs who are transferred every week from LCARA to Greenhill as a part of the Second Chance program. Greenhill also accepts transfers from smaller shelters where space is limited. We place animals with appropriate rescue groups if this affords them a better chance at finding a home.

This program is one of many positive and progressive programs that help homeless animals in this county. Are they enough? Not by a long shot. Is there a need to do more? Always.

Over the past several years, Greenhill has moved steadily in the direction of reducing the animal overpopulation problem in our community, not by killing adoptable animals, but through prevention and education.

Last December, Greenhill opened an on-site spay and neuter surgical suite so that every dog and cat adopted from the shelter would be altered. This dream was years in the planning.

In March, Greenhill ran its annual Spay Day. As part of a nationwide effort, the shelter operated a hot line for low-income pet owners. Two surgery days a week for six weeks were dedicated to performing surgeries for animals belonging to people who lack the financial means.

Since 2001, our foster care program has grown to the point that we provide a temporary home for nearly 800 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens per year. These animals are underage, are being treated medically, are recuperating from surgery or have social challenges.

At any one time, more than 150 volunteers are involved in operations such as dog-walking, kennel and cattery cleaning, dog and cat socializing, laundry, transporting animals to appointments with groomers and veterinarians, answering telephones or serving on the board of directors.

Animals remain at Greenhill as long as they are healthy and happy. That means that Kelly, a cat who has been in the Greenhill cattery for more than a year, will have a home here until someone falls in love with her and makes her a part of their family. It means that we will arrange surgery for the dog surrendered to us that was hit by a car a week ago, and that we will find a foster home for him for the six weeks he needs to be in rehabilitation. These are not exceptions; they are business as usual.

We are frequently asked whether we are a no-kill shelter. We are not. If we were, we would not be able to humanely end the suffering of the aforementioned dog if he turned out not to be a viable surgical candidate. We would become what some no-kill facilities become - a warehouse for animals living out their days with pain, illness, anxiety or depression. I do not aspire to be restricted by the no-kill label.

What I do aspire to is for the community to accept the welfare of animals as our personal responsibility. There are many ways to help.

Open your heart and home to an animal in need by becoming a foster parent or a volunteer. Greenhill holds new volunteer orientations at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month. Come see what a difference a few hours a week could make in the life of an animal.

Spay or neuter your own animals. Offer to underwrite the cost of the surgery for someone in financial need. Make a donation to the humane organization of your choice.

As a taxpayer, demand that animal control and regulatory services be fully funded and available in all communities, and then back that up by approving the funding for those programs.

Who doesn't want to see the day that no animal wants for a loving home? There's a lot of work to be done. How will you help?

Johnni Prince is executive director of the Greenhill Humane Society.