by A.J. McClanahan
Bad eggs come from many sources-and
many times it's animals who end up paying for
it, according to Bernard L. Patton, director of
the Lincoln Humane Society.
The bad eggs, Patton said, are irresponsible
owners who abandon their pets. College
students are not any worse than anyone else, he
said. But like most low-income persons they
abandon more pets than those with high
incomes, he said.
Last year 16,000 animals were either picked
up by the Humane Society, or given to the
Lincoln Animal Shelter that is operated by the
society. Of these, about 9,500 had to be killed
and according to Patton, only 2,000 of those
animals were paid disposals or sick and injured.
"Some people bring in a healthy animal and
pay for its disposal. There are a few tears shed,
but I'd rather go ahead with their wishes," he
said. He added that although it would be bad
public relations to go against someone's desires,
3- '
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"you never get toughened to it."
A disposal costs $3. It includes putting the
animal to sleep and cremation. If an owner
doesn't want his pet cremated, he can pay S5 to
have it buried in a mass grave or $37.50 to have
it buried with a marked headstone in the pet
cemetery, Patton said.
Other money for the shelter comes from city
animal license and pound fees. Besides these,
Patton said the society has a stipend contract
with Lincoln for rabies control and picking up
dead animals from the street.
The rest of the money comes from
ambulance fees and private donations. But
Patton said he would need at least $20,000 to
built a new kennel which he said the shelter
needs. Part of the money would be used to
complete the veterinary quarters. He also said
the shelter should have $40,000 to complete all
necessary building.
Any animal brought to the shelter, or picked
up as a stray remains in the shelter for three
days, Patton said. The animals are evaluated
and either destroyed or held in hopes that
someone will buy them. The price varies from
$5 to $35, Patton said. The average price for a
puppy is about $8.
Patton said all cages are washed every day
and some are washed twice a day. Even so,
airborne diseases are a problem at the shelter,'
he said. These diseases are more difficult to
control when all the animals are kept inside, he
added.
"I sometimes wonder why I camo here (the
animal shelter) but I was determined to make it
more humane. I'm still fightin' and talkin' for
those who cannot speak for themselves,"
Patton said.
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photos by
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page 6
monday, february 12, 1973
