I’m a senior attending Park City High School. My family has three rescue dogs — Oscar, Louie, and Mae — who have had a positive impact on our lives. Like most fellow Park Citians, we believe strongly in the power of saving an animal’s life, the power of rescue.
On Feb. 27 Gov. Spencer Cox declared 2024 as the No-Kill Shelter Year in Utah. This proclamation marks the beginning of a year full of diligent, effective work for Utah to not only claim the title of the first no-kill state in the West but in all of the United States. In order to do this though, all Utah counties must stop the euthanization of animals and be considered “no-kill.”
After some research, I was extremely surprised to find that our home county, Summit County Animal Shelter, is a kill shelter and has yet to achieve no-kill status. Speaking as an animal ally and advocate, and on behalf of the numerous animal advocates out there, I want our county to support Gov. Cox’s initiation to be no-kill.
The process may not be quick and may not be easy, but change can and will happen if we all help and give back to our animals! We as a community must work together on this initiative.
Here is what you can do to help save lives today:
Volunteer! Volunteer! Volunteer! The Summit County Animal Shelter will only benefit from your help. Whether you’re a walker enthusiast or a clean freak, the volunteer opportunities are endless. From dog walking, to social hours with the cats, to even cleaning the cages, will make all the difference.
If you are interested in taking your commitment to the next level, foster care is extremely beneficial to keeping pets out of the shelter. While you are saving room in the shelter for other animals to come in while fostering, you are also training them to be familiar with humans and show them what it is like to be with a forever family.
Community Cats! This is also known as a TNR system, or trap-neuter-return where roaming cats are humanely gathered, sprayed or neutered, vaccinated and returned to the community. This results in a major decrease in overflowing cats in shelters. The Community Cats program has been established, and running effectively in other counties such as Salt Lake County, Weber County, and West Jordan County, to name a few. Summit County will be next!
If you are looking for a new, furry addition to your family, rescuing rather than buying from a breeder makes an extreme difference in our shelters. While you are saving a life, you are freeing up the Summit County Shelter space, and saving hundreds of other animals’ lives who need it.
Donate! Donate! Donate! The Summit County Animal Shelter is always accepting donations. Donations can include boxes of puppy pads, cat litter, cleaning supplies like bleach, dish soap, and paper towels, or even cash donations are greatly appreciated. You can also donate food to the Pet Food Pantry at the Christian Center. Just remember, anything helps!
Let’s say you go through this list and realize maybe you do not have the time to adopt or foster an animal, or even make donations at the moment. Your help is still needed and extremely vital for this initiative. Whether you are scrolling on Facebook or Instagram, you can take a couple of seconds out of your day to click, post, or share information about animal welfare and inspire the next person to do the same!
Macy Hoeksema
Park City