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Local shelters wait 5 d SPC A fi By Bernard Sinklcr < Oamvcock Staff Writer Every day, 10,000 animals are born in the U.S., and even if it were I the civil duty of everyone to become the owner of one, many of 1 these animals would still die. "If they aren't adopted within five days they are destroyed," said Carol McCurdy of the Columbia branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals* SPCA\ THE LOCAL SPCA does not have its own animal shelter but works in _ conjunction with the two shelters in Columbia and Lexington County. The SPCA does not actually handle animals unless they are injured, according to McCurdy. Someone is sent to pick up injured animals and the society sees that they get proper medical attention. McCurdy said people call about their lost pets or to say they have found what appears to be a lost pet. They are usually told to check with the local pounds and veterinarians to see if the animal has turned up or, in the case of a found pet, to call either the Columbia animal shelter 1 ATLANTir X. | Star Babe Bang,Bang! You Got ft. ATLANTIC II V ? The Hot One Sarah's Eyes WANTED I College Students to Coordinate BUDWEISER SKI SPECTACULAR, 79 Killington Mount Snow Sugarbush Smugglers' Notch Featuring The Bud Cup Racinq Series For more information concerning our Campus Marketing Program and opportunities to earn Free trips and/or Commission, Contact: United Inter-Collegiate Ski Atinciatifln 4040 S. 28th Streat Arlington, VA. 22206 (703) 578-3322 lays, kill unadopted c "BOk n yv V ATW% /\ktM IIU& UYVilCI or the Lexington County shelter. Someone will come to pick up the animal from there, she said. The SPCA then checks with the local animal shelters to see if the animal litting the description of the lost pet has already been picked up. THE SPCA also tries to find homes for animals whose owners put them up for adoption. People wanting to adopt dogs are asked about their living conditions so an animal may be placed in its most suitable environment. "A lot of people will live in an apartment and want a German Shepard," McCurdy said. Usually they are rZinT/r IIAW Jrs.'velour tops they feel asgi as the) i New and now for fall'! Tailored good-l rib-knit trim. Ch ' cordovan, navy blue or pink. Si Fly front slacks styled for Jrs. who kno\ Delicately styled fron for the fityou desire! In brown, black, gre< I Denim styles availab ! First Floor Downto ! First Level Columt mimals s, homes fo persuaded to adopt a smaller dog because the society feels an apartment would not be in the best overall interest for a dog that size, she said. When a case of cruelty to an animal is reported, someone from the SPCA or the Humane Society investigates, and the alleged abuser of the pet is given a warning and told of further disciplinary actions that could be taken against him if the alleged abuses continue, McCury said. Another problem of the SPCA ii irresponsible ownership. "A lot oi * m el LE ' ^r^ri ^ W VJ /look! 13.88 78 ooks with a oose from off white, zes 5 to 13. r I . wtashion! -i ^ o O I (J.OO i woven Fortrel polyester Has'smile' pockets, en, claret or British tan. le. Sizes 5 to 13. wn, )ia Mall. r unwanted people will just dump a dog out on the road. The wild dog population has just doubled," McCurdy said. Becoming wild, dogs tend to group in packs and destroy livestock and property in order to survive. "Their only fate is death," she said. "APPROXIMATELY SEVEN to eight hundred (of such animals) are put to death" by the Lexington County animal shelter, R.M. Arant, chief animal controller, said. McCurdy said some 6,000 i dogs are put to death annually by f the city shelter. ^^SBtK&BS^A:;. IIP '' " ' i jWW ^jBfflBBHBMBWiJr^ / \ ' ^/ Jij j animals ! Unlike tax-supported Columbia and Lexington County animal shelters, the SPCA relies on private and membership donations. "It's not nearly enough," McCurdy said, and is the primary reason the local SPCA does not have its own animal shelter and is not able to provide (novinfl noutorinO nr Afhar cor. I1VUWI illg V* VMIVJt w* vices. Membership in the SPCA costs $5 and runs for a 12-month period as does a family membership of $10. Life-time membership in the SPCA costs $500. A membership drive is held annually in May. I I )