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Owners giving up pets, adoption rate constant

By Julie N. Chang | The News Herald

Published: November 27, 2008

MORGANTON - Still shopping around for the perfect Christmas gift? Burke County Friends for Animals is offering a special deal on cats and dogs for the holiday season.

BCFFA Director Toni Davis said despite the economic hardships, people are still adopting pets at a normal rate.

There are 120 to 150 adoptions per month, Davis said. She attributes some of those adoptions to the internet, where 15 to 25 pets each month are adopted in Connecticut.

On the other hand, Davis said BCFFA has seen an increase in owners giving up their pets because of the economy.

"We're inundated with people who are downsizing and have nowhere for the pets to go," Davis said.

The "Home for the Holidays" is a special offer for pets that have been at BCFFA for a number of months, Davis said.

Cats there for six months or more are $40 and dogs there for four months or more are $65.

Davis said the organization hopes to find these pets homes for the holiday season.

BCFFA also has puppies from an October raid on a produce stand on N.C 18. Investigators from the Burke County sheriff's office found several dogs and puppies living in filthy conditions.

Produce stand owner, Steve Thomas Hudson, is scheduled to appear in district court on Monday for three counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty.

On the other end of the spectrum, unadopted pets at BCFFA won't be left out of the holiday spirit, Davis said.

Due to food donations from the area, the cats and dogs at BCFFA will receive some special treats for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Davis said.

One particular dog is spending the holidays relaxing and resting up from a second surgery.
Phantom, a pit bull terrier that gained fame as the face of animal cruelty for BCFFA in July, is on the mend from surgery to repair his nose, Davis said.

The first surgery reconstructed Phantom's nonexistent lips. Dr. Mark McMahon of Burke Animal Clinic on E. Union Street and Dr. Alan Moss of Unifour Veterinarian Surgical Associates in Hickory performed the surgeries pro bono.

Phantom is recovering at a foster home, but Davis said it looks likely he will stay there permanently.
"His best friend is a cat, and he has two other doggy friends," Davis said.