Dumped dogs -any new ideas for an old problem?

[Guest Anonymous]

I live 30 miles out of the nearest small town -and over a hundred miles from the nearest animal control facility. My little community is just houses, a few commercial farms, a gas station and a couple of other small businesses on an interstate highway.

Every day, someone dumps a dog here. Usually, they leave them in a large dirt lot at the gas station, assuming (I guess) that someone somewhere out here will take them home.

Up 'till now, animal control has been called, and someone has made the hundred-plus mile trip to pick the dogs up, take them to the vet, and then to the country shelters.

But, animal control has changed their policies - a few months ago they announced they will only come out here once per week. The idea being they will come out once and round up all the dogs; saving gas and labor. They say they're short-handed, and tell us they don't want to put dogs into the metal cages in the summer heat anyway.

So, now we have the animals -dumped dogs with all their attendant problems, neurosis, questionable origins and possible diseases. They hang around the spot where they last saw their owners, refusing to leave. If someone takes one home, it often comes right back. Some refuse to eat the food offered by those of us who always have plenty, and can't stand to see them hungry. They will drink the water, but the food stays until the ants carry it off.

Sometimes, they finally wander away to try to fend for themselves. They wander into the yards and small farms to chase the livestock, kill chickens and ducks, and bite people who attempt to catch them. Some of the farmers shoot them, but more often they're run over or eventually starve to death.

I walked into the gas station a week ago to find the attendant crying. She had tried to take home a furry black mongrel; it escaped, returned and was hit by a car. She was told she'd be fired if she ever took another dog into the station for any reason. She was heartbroken, and there was nothing I could say to cheer her up. Meanwhile, the lot was running over with dogs - mutts of every size and description.

I don't know what to do. I have my full limit of dogs right now -three huge shepherds. The shepherds usually won't let any other dogs in the yard - I couldn't keep any of them here, even temporarily. I live in the country, but I don't have unlimited resources for taking pets of any kind, and I have all that I want (and far more than I need).

My neighbors all feel the same way. They agree that many of these dogs are beautiful, and that they would take 'em if they could. But even if they could, where does that leave the ugly, mangy, tangled furrballs of no particular lineage and less-than-charming habits? No one is able to take on all these nameless mutts.

A few people have taken to 'collecting' pets -that is, taking them in and feeding them, but without the resources to have them vetted and properly cared for. They slink around the yards fighting, digging holes and doing damage and the people put up with it because they know there's no one else to take them. I believe many of them have been "rescued" before; but ended up being dumped again because of bad habits and anti-social behaviors. I know these people mean well, and I admire their hard work and willingness to do something about the problems, but even they agree it's not an ideal situation.

We need a temporary shelter here...but the county probably won't even consider it, and I wouldn't even know who to ask.

I would probably be willing to round them up and drive them to the county pound -except that I drive a Camaro. And I don't even know what kinds of permits or training a person would need to be able to do this -there's always the chance the county would simply say "Sorry, but they're YOUR dogs, now!". And what about bites and injuries? Or the dogs that simply cannot be approached? The animal control officers often have to tranquilize them.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I know I personally can't do much of anything -I don't have the time, the money, the vehicle or the space to take on any of this myself. But if anyone has any suggestions, I'm willing to pass them on to those that I think would be willing to get involved with something if they thought it would work.

[Guest Anonymous]

[quote name='Reality']I live 30 miles out of the nearest small town -and over a hundred miles from the nearest animal control facility. My little community is just houses, a few commercial farms, a gas station and a couple of other small businesses on an interstate highway.

Every day, someone dumps a dog here. Usually, they leave them in a large dirt lot at the gas station, assuming (I guess) that someone somewhere out here will take them home.

snip just for space.

Sounds like you need some help locally to organize things - maybe you can do that if you can't transport or house the animals?
Find out if animal abandonment is against the law where you are (it usually is) work with the worried animal lovers on getting license plate numbers on dumped dogs (video cameras anyone?) See if there is a group at least in your state who can help you with organization to handle the problem (try www.petfinder.org for possible groups near you)
I suspect the situation per your nearest animal control refusing to come to your area is considered inhumane - get the media in on it and see if you can get policy back to where it should be and if their facility is inhumane get that noted too!
One on one you cannot save them all but I think you can do something to help a lot of these animals over time. I wish you all the best of luck!