Pet population in Marion, Grant County leads to overcrowding at shelters

Shrout did say, though, the overcrowding rate has been about the same and doesn’t seem to be getting significantly worse.

Brenda Volmer, president of the Grant County Humane Society, was more frank about the current situation.

“The animal population in this town is out of control,” she said. “There is an ordinance that no one is following.”

Referring to the ordinance that requires Marion resident to spay/neuter their pets after six months, Volmer said based on what she sees at the Humane Society, the ordinance is not being enforced heavily enough.

“We’ve seen absolutely no difference in the number of animals in the county,” she said.

Shrout said Animal and Care Control issues citations each month for those not abiding by the ordinance.

“We give out an average of five a month, but most people have them fixed or get the proper tags,” she said.

According to files from the Grant County Commissioners office, Animal Care and Control have handled 6-12 calls pertaining to stray animals each month this year.

Fireworks and the impending holiday has the shelter expecting more calls in the coming weeks. Shrout said outdoor activities, fireworks and other loud noises can scare dogs and make them run off.

“We haven’t had a lot calls yet surprisingly, but probably in the next couple weeks,” she said. “July is one of our busiest months.”

Currently, the city shelter has 35 cats and between 60 and 70 dogs, according to Shrout. At the Humane Society the numbers are even higher at 60 dogs and 120 cats.

The good news, at least at Animal Care and Control, is they have a steady 80 percent adoption rate, Shrout said.

“The summer months are a little better,” Shrout said of adoption rates. “More people adopt in the summer but it’s also puppy season.”

Volmer said she believes the main issue in the growing pet population is the lack enforcement of the city ordinance. Though she believes the idea is unlikely to pass, she believes a county-wide spay and neuter ordinance would help matters.

“I know there will never be one in the county but there needs to be,” Volmer said. “I think it’s probably worse (across the county) but we’re not aware of the extent because there’s no ordinance.”

Volmer added that a closer, low cost spay and neuter clinic would be beneficial as well. Currently, the closest ones are in Kokomo and Fort Wayne.

Volmer and the Humane Society are doing everything they can to keep pets in the hands of their owners, however. This includes offering free food to pet owners who may not be able to afford it on their own.

The current situation rests heaviest on the animals themselves, Volmer said.

 “We’re trying to help whatever animal we can,” she said. “It’s sad but the animals are the one’s paying for it.”