Stop dumping: Clinton County Animal Control pleads for public's help as shelter faces growing strain

Clinton County Animal Control rescued this nursing mother dog and her litter of six puppies that were found dumped and abandoned last month at Grasher Creek Access on the east side of Carlyle Lake.    Clinton County Animal Control is asking pet owners to help reverse a growing animal overpopulation problem after an especially difficult week that has pushed the shelter closer to capacity.
    In a social media post, Tony Petrea, Animal Control warden, said he has recently responded to numerous cases involving abandoned dogs, unwanted kitten litters and dogs left behind in vacant homes, all of which are placing increasing pressure on the county's resources.
    "In the last week, we have had to deal with a lot. Dumped dogs, kitten litters, dogs left in a house — you name it," Petrea wrote in a recent social media post, on behalf of Clinton County Animal Control.
    Among the most troubling cases occurred in early June, when someone abandoned a nursing mother dog and her litter of six puppies at the Grasher Creek Access on the east side of Carlyle Lake.
    According to Petrea, whoever left the dogs also discarded a bag of dog food despite knowing rain was in the forecast and placed a puppy pad on the ground before abandoning the animals.
    Earlier last week, Animal Control responded after receiving a report that four dogs had been dumped along Jolliff Bridge Road near Linn Street in Centralia.
    Petrea said those incidents, along with an increase in unwanted kitten litters and pets left behind in homes, have overwhelmed the shelter and staff.
    He believes many of the recent surrenders and abandonment cases are economically driven, with some owners unable to afford the cost of caring for their pets.
    Petrea said situations like these quickly overwhelm the shelter, contribute to compassion fatigue among staff, force difficult euthanasia decisions and can ultimately require the shelter to close intake because of limited space.
    "There isn't a single animal in our shelter that chose to be there," the post continued. "They are there because people made a choice involving the animals that put them there."
    Petrea is encouraging residents to spay and neuter their pets, avoid irresponsible breeding and provide proper veterinary care.
    He noted that Clinton County Animal Control offers low-cost spay and neuter clinics. More information is available through the Clinton County Animal Control website, https://clintonco.illinois.gov/county -offices/animal-control/.
    Petrea also said local veterinarian Dr. Kenny Brown is working to establish a new 501(c)(3) organization that will provide additional low-cost spay and neuter services.
    For pet owners experiencing financial hardship, a community pet food pantry in Carlyle offers free dog and cat food during designated distribution times. More information is available through the "Pet Food Pantry" and "Rescue Me ... Friends of Clinton County Animal Control" Facebook pages.
    "Please spay and neuter your pets, please don't allow irresponsible breeding, and please vet the animals you have and treat them the way they deserve," Petrea said. "Our numbers are going in the wrong direction. Please help us reverse that."