I am your Animal Control Specialist
I am your Animal Control Representative. I am not the dreaded "dog catcher" or the "murderer" you call me.
I’m not the one who allows your pets to breed, then dumps the unwanted puppies and kittens on roadsides and in shelters. I’m the one who must find the tiny animals before they die of starvation, exposure or disease and, as an act of mercy, exterminate them.
It hurts me to be forced to kill hundreds of thousands of animals each year, but because of your irresponsibility, I have no choice. Don’t say to me, "I couldn’t work at the "pound" I love animals". I work here, because I love animals and I care. I work here because I have to be responsible and help those who can not speak for themselves, even if it means their death.
I’m not the one who abandons unwanted animals on the farm roads, telling myself some friendly farmer will surely take them in and give them a good home. But I am the one who picks up the frightened animal who waits in vain for its beloved master, wondering why it has been abandoned. I am the one who must help that friendly farmer trap, tranquilize or kill that animal because it has begun to roam in packs with other abandoned hungry animals, killing livestock, fowl and game.
I’m not the one who surrenders unwanted animals because their too big, too loud or because they are no longer cute. I’m the one who walks the animal to the holding area as they look back over their shoulder at their beloved master leaving the building, but not before they stop to coo over the puppies and kittens. I’m the one who must decide to keep or kill this animal, and I’m the one who will draw the shot and end the life. I’m the one who hold the old, ill and injured of the irresponsible who have never take their animal to a doctor and I’m the one who tries to comfort them as they look around at strange faces when it should be yours.
I am not the one who breeds and fights dogs in the name of "sport". But I’m the one who fights the breeders and participants, and must pick up the dead and dying animals that have been left behind. I’m the one who will feed and love this animal while I try to stop your "sport". And at the end when the case is over I will be the one who will hold this animal while the lethal injection is given because you have caused the animal to be a danger and because if I let you have this animal back you will fight him again.
So, remember the next time a stray dog bites your child, your trash is dumped and scattered, your pet is lost, stolen, poisoned or hit by a car, it is the Animal Control Specialist you call not the "dog catcher" or "murderer".
The next time your pet is picked up, or you are cited for neglecting or abusing it, remember that I am only trying to get you to fulfill your responsibility to your pet, your neighbor and yourself. Do not scorn me. Respect me, for I am the product of your irresponsibility.
**this prose always moves me to tears, it was written by a co-worker in a NC shelter.**
