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What is Mutt Matters?
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Pet Pals Inc. of Goshen County, WY
Pet Pals Inc. Of Goshen County, WY
In 1998 Wyoming native Linda York left Michigan to
help her elderly parents manage their farm in Goshen
County Wyoming, a state with lots more land (97.000
sq. miles) than people (484,000). A mere handful live
in Hawk Springs, a scrap of a town dotting the vast
stretch of prairie. The local post office transacts
business around $10.00 a day.
On a shopping trip to buy groceries in nearby Torrington (20 miles away), a scrappy town tucked in
the vast flatlands of northeastern Wyoming, York,
devoted owner of six dogs, watched in disbelief as
litters of cuddly puppies and kittens were given away
to customers buying cattle feed. The store owner
gladly took customers money but he didn't ask buyers
if they were committed to raising a puppy. As a
lifelong animal lover and former humane society
volunteer, where all potential adopters were carefully
screened, a very concerned Linda York knew something
had to be done. She feared those tiny puppies and
kittens, barely weaned from their mother, might end up
in the hands of thoughtless and uncaring owners. Even
worse, she worried they might become bait in the
increasingly popular but deadly sport of pit bull
fighting.
The odds to save animals were stacked against York.
The nearest animal shelters were in Scotttsbluff,
Nebraska about 50 miles to the east and at least a one
hour's drive to Cheyenne in the south. Over dinner
that night with her husband Larry, York decided to
start an animal rescue program.
"A local resident told me I was crazy," York said,
"said I was wasting my time." But York persisted. "I
couldn't forget about those tiny puppies and kittens
given away like candy. What ever happened to them?"
That was in 2000 when York formed Pet Pals, a
non-profit charitable organization officially
sanctioned by the IRS.
York had to scramble. She organized a small group of
supporters, including veterinarian Dr. Mary Kate
Lawler and Tammy Benson who signed on as board
members. Then York and her devoted husband dug into
their own pockets to fence in their front yard, build
a horse pen, and add a building for dogs and cats.
Initially, the community reaction was so tepid York
asked all her friends and neighbors for help. They
overwhelmed her with portable kennels, used towels,
pet food, leashes, dog shampoo, and other assorted
items needed for animal care.
When asked if she envisioned ever starting an animal
shelter, York said, "Absolutely not. I volunteered in
a Michigan shelter and knew how much hard work was
involved. But now that I've done it, I can't imagine
giving it up. The homeless animals around here need
me."
Caring for so many animals requires money for
veterinary care, vaccinations, and food, as well as
other essentials. York appreciates the contributions
she receives from a growing list of donors, which
averages about $125.00 every month. She has also
received modest support from the Friskies Company.
Not everyone can afford to contribute money so York
often finds bundles of newspapers, cans of dog food,
and bags of cat litter on her doorstep. She is
grateful for everyone's help. "No donation," York
said, "is too small. I'm happy when people leave me
their used towels and sheets. They make nice bedding
for the animals." Considering winter temperatures dip
below freezing for days at a time, donated linens
provide a shred of comfort many dogs and cats never
had until arriving at Pet Pals.
Over the years, York has placed over 400 dogs, cats,
and even a few horses into loving homes. Because
Wyoming is a ranching state, horse ownership is
common. Irresponsible owners and over breeding
contributes to horse overpopulation. Due to their
large size, horses are much harder to place than dogs
and cats. But that doesn't stop York. She screens
potential horse owners with the same scrutiny as she
does for the dogs and cats.
One dog adoption was particularly memorable. York
took in a very frightened female Belgian Malinois
named Peggy, who had obviously been abused. This
female dog shivered almost all the time. She only ate
when York wasn't around. Every time York tried to pet
the dog, Peggy shied away. York feared she might not
be able to find Peggy a home. Along came Tammy Dyson,
a friend from Omaha, Nebraska. As York described
Peggy's traumatic background, Peggy slowly emerged
form her shell. "When she wagged her tail, it was
love at first sight," Tammy said. "Peggy is now very
much a part of my family. I love her very much and
thank Linda for rescuing this dog."
Pet Pals maintains high standards and doesn't adopt
to everyone. York carefully evaluates each
application. All animals must be neutered and
vaccinated. Applicants must be 21 years of age, have
a verifiable income, and demonstrate a commitment to
lifelong care. Fences are a must. Applicants who say
the dog or cat will be an outdoor pet are turned down.
York says, "I get very attached to the animals I care
for. I want to make sure I place them into forever
homes. That's what this rescue work is all about."
Husband Larry, who is York's biggest supporter and
dedicated helper, agrees.
Rescuing animals in Wyoming is hard work due to the
state's massive size and its sparse population.
Directly south, Colorado is comparable in size but
according to the recent 2002 Census it has a
population of 4,300,000. Petfinder.com, a large
internet site with animal rescue information from
across the US and Canada, indicated Wyoming has
eighteen shelters and rescue groups while Colorado has
eighty.
The Pet Food Institute in Washington, DC. estimates
half of American homes have pets. That's about
250,000 dogs and cats in Wyoming. Not all live with
responsible pet owners. "Ranchers sometimes don't see
anything wrong with stuffing newborn puppies and
kittens into a bag and tossing them into a river.
There's a lot of dogs and cats running around and
often they get hit by cars. People turn around and
get another puppy or kitten, which are often
advertised in local newspapers. The mentality here is
hard to change," York said.
About two years ago, York shifted gears to tackle
local pet overpopulation. There were no subsidized
spay/neuter programs in Goshen County. Area
veterinarians charge from $75 to $125 for a cat and
$70 to $185 for a dog. Although not exorbitant, those
prices are beyond the reach of many Wyoming residents
With the help of Dr. Mary Kate Lawler, a local
veterinarian, York kicked off a spay/neuter campaign.
She applied for and received funding from a national
animal charity to subsidize the keep the cost
affordable. Dr. Lawler owns mobile home converted to
a veterinary hospital and drives to Pet Pals to
perform about 30 surgeries at a time. "The response
has been good. People recognize the important of
spaying and neutering. Thankfully, Pet Pals is in a
position to help," York said. "I hope we can keep
doing this because like everywhere else we have a big
problem with pet overpopulation, especially with
cats." The Waggin-Tails in neighboring Torrington
does not accept cats.
Pet overpopulation, however, isn't confined to Goshen
County. According to Michael Moore, director of the
Metro Animal Control and Welfare in Casper, a shelter
with 11 full-time employees, they adopted 988 dogs and
cats in 2002, but euthanized 1,345. Moore said,
"There are way too many puppies and kittens
available." Suzanne Zutter of the Dog and Cat Shelter
in Sheridan concurs. "Of the 726 animals we took in
during 2002, 453 were adopted, 49 were reclaimed by
their owners, but 219 were put to sleep. "Cat
overpopulation is a tremendous problem in our area,
and a lot of them are feral. Most feral cats aren't
neutered so the cycle of misery continues, litter
after litter." Because they are wild, feral cats are
rarely adoptable. "Many cats that come to us are sick
and in bad shape. Most are euthanized."
Some Wyoming animal shelters and veterinarians may be
unwittingly contributing to pet overpopulation.
Several veterinarians ignore the spay/neuter standards
set by the American Veterinary Medical Association,
which says is it safe to spay/neuter puppies and
kittens at two months of age. The Goshen Veterinary
Clinic, for example, will not operate on an animal
less than six months of age. According to Dr. Karen
Claus of McClintock Animal Care in Tempe, Arizona, it
is possible for a male dog younger than six months to
impregnate a female. Many shelters do not sterilize
dogs and cats prior to adoption due to funding issues.
Suzanne Zutter of Cat and Dog Shelter in Sheridan
said, "We give every adopter a certificate to use at a
local vet's office. There is no charge to them for
the surgery. But we still do not have full
compliance. This is an area we have to improve on."
Most Wyoming shelters cannot afford to hire a
veterinarian.
As the only animal rescue in Goshen County, York is
inundated with requests to help. Husband Larry has
been very supportive, but York could not manage
without volunteers and outside support. "People have
been so good to me. That also helps the animals,"
York said.
Ingrid Simpson of Polaris Rescue in Colorado has
worked with York. "Linda is more caring than anyone I
know in rescue. I really don't know how she manages
with the few resources she has." Simpson makes
generous donations to Pet Pals.
York and other Wyoming shelter managers believe pet
overpopulation can only be solved through public
education but formal humane instruction programs are
not as popular in Wyoming as they are in places like
New York and Colorado. Sandy Tift of the St. Francis
Animal Shelter in Buffalo, WY, said, "A few of our
volunteers work in the schools so perhaps through them
there is a limited amount of humane education."
Suzanne Zutter of the Dog and Cat Shelter in Sheridan
said, "There currently are no humane education
programs in our schools, but I hope that'll change."
Promising signs, though, point to changing attitudes.
Michael Moore of the Casper shelter says the five
animal control officers in his area teach humane
education to local schools. Judy Eddy of PAWS of
Jackson Hole said her shelter is in the process of
starting a humane education program.
York yearns for constructive change as well. She has
spoken to high school students about pet
overpopulation but found many uninterested. "I was so
frustrated. Maybe because they were raised to believe
dogs and cats were not valued family members. It's
sad but some of them think nothing of dumping puppies
and kittens into a river or lake."
Animals come and go to Pet Pals all the time. As
soon as York places some into responsible homes, more
homeless dogs and cats arrive to take their place.
"It never stops. I sometimes have to turn down
requests. As hard as we try, Pet Pals has limited
funding and space. I regret that I can't help them
all. Maybe some day I can."
Some days York doesn't know where she gets the
physical and mental strength to continue. She works
seven days a week, earns no salary, and hasn't
vacationed in years. The only time she spends with
husband Larry is caring for animals. "We have animals
coming and going almost daily. If I'm not there to
help, who will?"
By Debra White
Contributing Writer
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Pet Pals Inc. of Goshen County, WY
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