Arlington Mayor Dr. Robert Cluck

May 24, 2007
Mayor’s initiative to encouraging responsible pet ownership and reduce pet euthanasia through adoption

As a longtime pet owner and animal lover, I am concerned that some pet owners are irresponsible in caring for their pets. Every year, the Humane Society of the United States estimates that 6-8 million cats and dogs wind up in our nation’s animal shelters. The sad part is that 3-4 million of those innocent pets are euthanized.

In our society today, animal care is our responsibility. It is a human responsibility. Every cat or dog that is euthanized would have made a wonderful companion. Many of these animals end up in an animal shelter because of pet overpopulation, or by injury, disease, or neglect. These cats and dogs desire and should have a humane and loving home.

But we can’t sit back and wait for others. We must take control and actively seek animal care solutions. Pet overpopulation is a tremendous problem. But it can be solved. Our community-based actions should encourage education, mandatory sterilization of animals adopted from our municipal or county shelters, and encouragement for pet owners to do their part by getting their companion animals spayed or neutered and licensed.

I encourage everyone who is interested in owning a pet to follow along with the City of Arlington. We are reaching out to our residents with programs that encourage pet ownership, responsibility, and sterilization. Soon, we will be opening a state-of the art animal center to serve our community and we currently reach out in a number of ways to serve our animal companions. Here are some of the ways that Arlington is educating and promoting pet responsibility.

• The annual Animal Essay Contest for students in grades three through six teach pet responsibility. Each year over 1,000 students learn about the connection of family violence and animal cruelty by writing essays focusing on pet ownership responsibility.
   

• Arlington residents can view adoptable animals on-line by accessing the Animal Services website at www.arlingtontx.gov/animals/petsoftheweek.html.
   

• If you have received a citation for an animal ordinance violation you may be eligible to participate in the Animal Awareness and Safety Program. Upon payment of a nominal fee and completion of the two hour program your citation will be dismissed.
   

• The exciting and anticipated opening of a state-of-the-art new Animal Services Center in February 2008. The new shelter will be located in a high traffic location with good visibility. It will have synergy with the adjacent dog park, Southeast branch library, and Fish Creek Linear Park. The shelter will provide the following features: a community / animal training room, a spay neuter / wellness clinic, an adoption mall / animals viewed through glass for increased adoptions, 143 - Canine kennel / puppy condos (increase of 29 kennels), 139 - Feline cages / cat condos (increase of 21 cages), four meet / greet animal and get acquainted rooms, separate air-handling systems (reduces airborne diseases), and an exotic animal room.
   

• I look forward to the day when every pet has a good home and every owner is a responsible owner. Please help our community and do your part as a responsible pet owner.

To learn more about responsible pet ownership or animal adoptions, please visit the Animal Services website at www.arlingtontx.gov/animals or call 817-451-3436

Robert N. Cluck, M.D.
Mayor of Arlington