Operation Pets Alive

Another concern of Operation Pets Alive is the retention of pets in the community. Founding board member Cathy Bruhn said the devotion required to be a pet owner during the recent economic downturn and the lack of pet-friendly apartments has led to pet owners giving up their pets.

"People love to have animals, and especially puppies and kittens," Bruhn said. "Sometimes, I think people don't think about that with care today, the average life span of a family pet is a 10-20-year commitment depending on the animal."

She said the reclaim rate of lost animals in the area is also exceptionally low at about 5 percent, compared to some communities across the country, which reaches as high as 60 percent.

Through its many programs, OPA has helped spay and neuter 1,465 dogs, transported 635 dogs to animal shelters in need across the country, and trapped, neutered and returned 184 cats among 29 different feral cat colonies.

The organization also hosts adoptions every weekend at the Petco in The Woodlands as well as occasional adoptions at other businesses throughout the community. The Best Friends Pet Resort has also hosted many of OPA's Pups for Trucks events.

"It's really important for business leaders in the community to allow adoptions and animal events," Bruhn said.

However, Bruhn and Piotter said more has to be done to address problems across the county, and the programs need to be implemented completely. The organization requires volunteers for its programs and is particularly in need of marketers who can help spread the word about the organization and problems throughout the community.

"The average citizen doesn't want to see animals die needlessly, but they don't know [otherwise]," Bruhn said.

With continued growth and improvement since its foundation, Piotter said she believes it is possible to create a shelter in which only sick and dying pets are euthanized instead of being euthanized for a lack of space.

"We know we can do better," Piotter said.

Operation Pets Alive, P.O. Box 132104, The Woodlands www.operationpetsalive.org