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Times tough on the animals, too
Animal hospital treats, houses numerous strays, struggles to find adoptive homes
Scratchy the cat has become something of a fixture at Siena Animal Hospital since being dropped off as a stray eight months ago. The hospital, on the western edge of the valley, has been inundated with strays as the recession deepens, leading some to abandon their pets.
Friday, Feb. 20, 2009 | 2 a.m.
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The cat they would call Scratchy arrived in June.
She was left outside the animal hospital in a crate, an older cat inside with her. There was a note.
I lost my house. I know you’ll take care of them. I don’t want to take them to the shelter. I don’t want them put to sleep.
When Susan Keeney examined the cats, she noticed they were bothered by mites in their ears. She named them Itchy and Scratchy. Guess which one had the better disposition.
Itchy found a home in six months. Scratchy is still at the vet.
When Keeney opened her hospital it was the fulfillment of a dream — built to her top-of-the-line specifications and, out on the far western edge of Las Vegas’ boom, a cheerful business prospect. Now Siena Animal Hospital is surrounded by foreclosed houses, empty storefronts, condos stalled without windows and subdivisions that never rose above their slabs.
And then there are the animals: 30 dogs, 23 stray cats, five rabbits and one jilted rat.
Good Samaritans brought in some of them. Some were dropped off for treatment and their owners never came back. Some were pushed through the door and some were tied to the back fence. Once Keeney’s husband and business partner went out for a soda and came back to find two beer boxes filled with kittens.
The animals are cleaned, quarantined, vaccinated and spayed or neutered. Some badly sick or injured animals have to be put down. Then comes the hard part: finding homes.
Animals are pressed onto clients, friends, drug salesmen, strangers, mailmen. As a last resort, they’re adopted by employees, though the hospital’s employees have gotten pretty good at pressing pets on people.
(True story: While a Sun photographer was at the hospital, someone brought in a small stray dog that looked like something a sheep might cough up. Keeney and her staff shaved its matted hair and named it after our photographer and offered the dog to him. Alas, there was no room at the inn.)
Keeney says she would adopt some of the animals except that she has, in 13 years as a vet, adopted four dogs and one cat and they are too old now for newcomers. Keeney is allergic to animals and has to have a weekly a injection, but still she works most weekends and some nights, too.
The hospital is doing the best it can, Keeney says, but all these strays are costing money. She’s had to ask for donations. Money, blankets — anything that can help.
Eight months at the hospital have mellowed Scratchy. If Scratchy stays much longer, Keeney says, she’s going to get a collar that says “Office Manager.” She spends much of her time in the office of Keeney’s husband, Tony McKee, playing with his papers or sleeping against his arm.
“I don’t know why she has such bad luck,” Keeney says.
Maybe it’s the name?
“Snuggles? Sweetheart?” Keeney says. “I know! Cuddles.”
Nah. She’s Scratchy.
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Far too often people turn their back on their pets instead of being responsible. I know times are tough, but that's precisely why you don't rush into getting a pet, and why you take the time and care to have your pets fixed. Every day at shelters and hospitals all throughout Vegas brings further proof that the value of a living thing continues to diminish. A sad commentary on todays society.
I personally say "thank you" to the Keeney's and all the other fine animal-loving people around the valley. I shudder to think of how much worse things would be without the caring individuals who can't say no.
Please keep up the fantastic community service! My small donation is on the way.
While I certainly agree with your assertion that people rush into getting pets, I would like to point out that some of these people have found themselves homeless or having to move in with someone who may not be able to accommodate an animal. This is a situation anyone could find themselves in. Does that mean no one should own pets? At least those that brought their animals to this hospital had the decency to ensure the animal was in a safe place. They easily could have let the animals loose or abandoned them at a vacant home.
I must applaud the hospital for stepping up and accepting these animals, as they all deserve a loving, caring place to call home, even if only until a permanent one can be found.