Houston Humane Society Shelter Director Shares Concerns About New World Screwworm with Associated Press
Although the New World screwworm has only been found in southern Texas and southeastern New Mexico, the outbreak is affecting pet adoptions throughout the state.
The screwworm is an insect that has crossed the border from Mexico into the United States for the first time in 60 years. It primarily infects cattle and other livestock, but pets and wildlife are susceptible.
Aaron Grady, shelter director at Houston Humane Society, said, “Houston has one of the largest stray pet populations not only in Texas, but in the country, and that presents with its own unique challenges surrounding shelter capacity, not having enough kennels for the number of animals that need support and assistance in finding a forever home.
“One of the ways that we try to tackle the pet population problem, not only through adoptions locally, but we try to transport those animals to shelters that have a lower demand out of state, whether that’s in the northeast or the northwest, for example. But recently though, some of those transports have either slowed down or halted in response to the screwworm.”
Forty-four states have introduced restrictions on transporting pets from Texas.
Grady said an inability to send animals out of state has left them more stressed, affecting their chances at adoption.
“If an adopter comes through and they’re going from kennel to kennel and they see one dog who may be sitting calmly and contentedly in one kennel and then in the next kennel, there’s one dog who’s bouncing off of the walls and barking because of how stressed they are, the first one may be looking more desirable,” Grady said.
The Houston shelter has worked to keep its animal population — mostly cats and dogs — at about 200 by tapping a network of foster homes for up to 300 more and by helping pet owners keep their animals even a little longer. (Associated Press)
Delcianna Winders, director of the Animal Law and Policy Institute at the Vermont Law and Graduate School, said that while shelters need more money and space, spaying and neutering pets would also help lessen the burden on shelters and rescues.
“If we could provide them [pet guardians] just with some basic support, they might be able to keep those animals in their homes, and that’s one less animal in a shelter...,” she said. (Associated Press)
If you live in Houston’s District J, our Pets for Life program may be able to help. Call 713-316-7000 or email PetsForLife@houstonhumane.org for more information.
Not in District J? Click here to get more information on spay and neuter services from the Houston Humane Society Veterinary Clinic. Call or text 713-433-6421 to make an appointment.
Ready to adopt? Click here to meet all of our adoptable pets. Or, apply to become a foster.
