Lafayette County Animal Shelter should be open soon, according to county officials. 

Last month, board president Brent Larson said they were in talks with a local group to manage the new shelter. 

It is no secret that Lafayette County has a stray animal problem. There are several reasons for that problem, which include a lack of affordable spay and neuter programs, a resistance among some pet owners, regardless of cost, to have their pets spayed and neutered and a lack of a shelter in the county, which will soon be rectified.

The Oxford Animal Resource Center only takes in animals that come from people who live within the city limits. The reason for that goes back a couple of years when the city and the county could not come to terms in running a joint shelter, so the county decided to build its own. 

Local police, the Oxford Police Department and the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, have attempted to help the situation by continually posting photos of lost and stray dogs that are submitted by residents or that they come across during their patrols.

This has been a big help, but it is not enough. The new shelter will help to house these stray animals from the county for a short time because it will only be a matter of days before that shelter is full.

There is no leash law in the county, which could be contributing to the lost and stray dog issue, as animals are prone to wander off, especially when chasing a furry critter.

It’s been said that it takes a village to raise a child. You could put that same cliche towards controlling the stray population. It will take city and county officials, it will take personal responsibility of pet owners and it will take donations so rescue groups who work tirelessly to assist in this issue struggle.

Several years ago, the Oxford animal shelter, under a different name at that time, did a free event for spay and neutering that was scheduled for one day and turned into a week.

The response was enormous. However, hundreds of animals were spayed and neutered, and that program was made possible through donations and volunteer help. Perhaps it’s time for another event.

Tubbs Spay and Neuter Project offers reduced-cost spaying and neutering. If more people donate, perhaps this program could provide more “scholarships” for people with very limited income. Visit their website at https://tubbproject.com/donate.

There are ways to try to battle this fight, but ultimately, it comes down to the responsibility of pet owners to make the decision to have their pets spayed and neutered. It is a responsibility that comes along when you decide to take a pet into your home.

We look forward to the new shelter opening, and we hope it receives a positive welcome from the community.