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Reprinted from The Homer Horizon March 22, 2006
Assistant Editor
Messenger Woods in Homer Glen may oftentimes look like a petting zoo with dogs, cats, rabbits and even flocks of chickens randomly roaming around, but unfortunately the wooded area has become a dumping ground for unwanted pets.Shirley Eskew, who lived across from Messenger Woods for 20 years, said they had numerous cats, dogs and even a flock of chickens dumped across the road and one particular German Shepherd decided to take up residency with the Eskew's.
"We acquired our German Shepherd dog, Dusty because someone dumped her. She had a broken ear; she was not good for show according to the vet. Dusty adopted us; she dug a hole by our door and would not leave," Eskew said of her pet.
Homer resident Sheila Christiansen also lives near Messenger Woods and said in the last 33 years she has lived there, she has found about two stray pets per year.
But lately the problem has been worsening and just in the last three months, Christiansen had to call Animal Control for a dog and a Persian cat.
The dog, she said, sat at the entrance of Messenger Woods for two weeks, most likely waiting for its owner to come back. The Persian cat, which was wrapped in a red towel, was lying on top of the same log where the dog made a bed. Christiansen took the cat to a New Lenox veterinarian and walked out $80 less.
"While waiting for animal control to come pick her up, she managed to find a tiny opening in our utility room to get behind the wall," Christiansen said, adding that her husband had to put a hole in the wall to get the Persian out so she would not perish.
"For 33 years, I am upset with people who will not take responsibility for their own animals, dumping them in the forest preserve, thinking it's our responsibility to take care of the animals," Christiansen said.
Christiansen said she would not be surprised if she is put on the guest list for the wedding of her Will County Animal Control officer.
"Easter is just around the corner and I will never forget the time some of our church members obtained a pet rabbit because people came after Easter and threw out a regular-sized garbage can with snap latches for the lid. They threw it out of their car into the ditch. The garbage can kept rolling and there was a domestic rabbit inside the trash can. The church family kept the rabbit, fed it, loved it and gave it medical treatment," Christiansen said.
Christiansen wishes people would think long and hard about the responsibilities of owning a pet before purchasing one. In the case of Messenger Woods, Christiansen believes pet owners realize they cannot care for the pet and do not want to take it to the TLC Animal Shelter because they may have to pay a donation.
TLC coordinator Janine Carter said they receive about 150 animals per year from the Homer Township/Homer Glen area, which is about 5 percent of the 3,000 animals they take in yearly.
Carter named divorce, allergies and busy schedules as just a few of the reasons people bring in their unwanted pet. TLC also receives a lot of transport animals from Southern Illinois and rural farm areas in Indiana.
"They plead with us to take these animals," Carter said, adding that TLC has up to 25 animal adoptions on a Saturday.
To anyone who finds a stray pet, Carter suggests keeping it in the area it was found and calling Will County Animal Control. If a homeowner keeps the animal in its home for five days, TLC would take the animal through appointment.
"An owner give-up is entirely different. If someone realizes they could not give the animal a good home, they should call the shelter," Carter said. When domestic animals are abandoned and left to fend for themselves, they are put in danger of traffic, coyotes and sickness, Carter said, and their chance of survival is slim.
Recently TLC was notified of a cat sitting on top of a telephone poll for a day and a half, too scared to move. Carter said someone had to shimmy up the pole to get it.
Will County Control Administrator and Veterinarian Dr. LeRoy Schild believes that there is a small minority of animals being dumped today as compared to years past.
In December through November 2005, Will County Animal Control received 138 complaints from Homer Township. Schild said complaints could include a dog being a nuisance to a dog running loose.
"Today there are a high percent of responsible pet owners," Schild said. When Will County Animal Control does obtain an animal, the animal is evaluated and if determined young and adoptable, it is placed in a shelter. Animal Control holds the animal for five days to give potential pet-owners time to reclaim their pet before putting it up for adoption.
"It doesn't help anyone when an animal is dumped on the side of the road; it becomes somebody else's problem," Schild said, adding that most animals are not car-wise and risk getting hit or causing an accident among drivers. Stray animals have become someone else's problem for the residents who live near Messenger Woods.
The Eskew's took in their cat Marmalade after it was dumped at Messenger Woods with a group of tiny kittens in the middle of winter. Eskew said she tried to catch all of the kittens but because they were so scared, she was only able to save one.
Christiansen said the residents near Messenger Woods cannot keep all of the stray pets.
"We cannot keep repairing holes in our walls and paying vet bills," she said.
Helpful Hints from the Will County Animal Control
Lost and found pets:
-Check with the Will County Animal Control office. A rabies tag, which is required to be worn by all vaccinated animals, has an identification number on it. These numbers are on file at Will County Animal Control with the owner's name and address. Place a lost or found report with Will County, leaving name, phone number and description of the animal. Do not take the chance of losing your pet. When you go for a walk, put your pet on a leash. Before letting your pet out in a fenced yard, make sure all of the gates are closed.
-Call area animal hospitals
-Contact local shelters and Humane Societies
Will County Humane Society (815) 741-0695
South Suburban Humane Society (708) 754-2425
TLC Animal Shelter (708) 301-1594
Stray Pick-up Service
The Illinois Animal Control Act and the Will County Animal Control Ordinance prohibits any dog from running-at-large. It is the responsibility of the pet owner to make sure that their dog remains on their property or else be under restraint. When an animal control officer picks up a stray animal it is impounded at an animal control shelter. In order for the pet to be released, the owner must pay the fine, the board charge, as well as show proof of current vaccinations. Animals that are not claimed after seven days may be adopted or humanely euthanized.
Contact Will County Animal Control: (815) 462-5633
acontrol@willcoutnyillinois.com
1200 South Cedar Road
New Lenox, IL 60451