ANIMAL LOVERS START SERVICE TO SAVE STRAYS

BENTON -- Julie Draper and Julie Adams couldn't stand to see any more pets abandoned along gravel roads in rural Scott County, so they started a placement service to find the animals new homes.

Within the last year, the pair placed 114 dogs into homes.

By no means is the venture one for profit; people adopting the pets don't pay any fee for placement. The two women cover costs of vaccinations, veterinary bills and offer a pre-paid certificate for spaying or neutering the adopted pet.

Those bills can skyrocket. With fees for spaying reaching a maximum $75 a dog, the women could easily have spent $4,000 on vet bills within the year, but sharing the costs of medical bills has helped and pre-paying for spaying or neutering costs "seems to help" convince people looking for a pet. "They really jump at that," Draper said.

The Scott City Animal Clinic does all the veterinary work but doesn't offer the women any sort of discount. At one time, Adams had been employed by the clinic. Occasionally, the clinic will board an animal for a few days when neither woman has the room for another pet.

The clinic also tacks up fliers on a bulletin board whenever there is a dog or cat to be placed. Usually, there are more dogs needing homes than cats.

"We enjoy doing this because it makes us feel good," said Draper. "We're big animal lovers."

Any guest to their homes would surely note that fact. Draper has 12 dogs and Adams 13.

Some of the dogs were once abandoned or strays that the two women took in.

"We live out in the country on a few acres so we have some inside and outside dogs," Draper said.

The number of dogs needing placement varies. Sometimes it depends on the time of year or whether there are puppies involved.

"The whole idea is to try and find them a home and give them a chance," Draper said. "We don't just give them to anybody. We're trying to make people responsible for their pets."

The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri also works to find homes for abandoned pets.

During 1999, the shelter averaged 13 pets a day that were brought in needing a home. During June the shelter took in 543 pets, which was the highest number of the year. November was the best month for adoptions, with 130.

"We have seen a decrease of animals entering through our facility's door in need of food and shelter," said Kimberly Peters, director of education.

While the Humane Society gives temporary housing for the homeless or abandoned pets, "we have seen more families find a new member to share their lives and grow with," Peters said.

Peters attributed a lower number of pets needing homes to Spay Day USA, an event when special funds were set aside to help people less fortunate pay for spaying or neutering a pet. Another event is planned for this year.

Though the statistics show some improvement over previous years, there are still many pets that aren't being cared for by owners.

"They are the blameless victims of the pet overpopulation crisis," Peters said.