Pet dumping becoming more common in Greater Cincinnati - Here’s an alternative option (2024)

Published: Jun. 4, 2024 at 11:48 AM EDT|Updated: Jun. 5, 2024 at 8:27 AM EDT

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - There has been an alarming increase in the number of pets being abandoned in the Greater Cincinnati Area over the last few months, including the puppy found in a drawstring bag or the four kittens inside a backpack on the Great Miami River. Unfortunately, these reported cases only reflect the animals that are actually found.

It is called pet dumping, and according to Ohio law, it is illegal.

“No owner or keeper of a dog, cat, or other domestic animal, shall abandon such animal,” Section 959.01 states. Yet the practice continues, and sometimes in the most inhumane ways.

Staff at WKYT in Lexington, one of FOX19 NOW’s sister stations, reported on May 31 that someone lit a box of 13 puppies on fire and left them to die.

On May 20, eight Great Pyrenees puppies were found wandering around in Clermont County and were almost hit by a car.

And the list does not stop there.

“The ‘why’ is such a difficult piece of these kinds of stories that is very hard to explain or rationalize. There are many motives as to why people do what they do,” SPCA Cincinnati told FOX19 NOW. “Unfortunately, those decisions aren’t always the most humane choice.”

SPCA is one of the many animal shelters in the Tri-State. Since 1907, the shelter has worked to rescue and find loving homes for animals who have either been abandoned, abused or could no longer be cared for.

“A huge part of SPCA Cincinnati’s rescue mission is to educate the public and help provide resources that prevent inhumane treatment of animals,” a spokesperson said.

The Homeless Animal Rescue Team (H.A.R.T.) is another one of Greater Cincinnati’s many organizations that helps find homes for pets.

While H.A.R.T. is not a shelter, the team works to find foster or permanent homes for abandoned animals.

“We receive many emails from people for various reasons, mostly that they are having a baby or have young kids and they don’t have time for their dog,” H.A.R.T. says. “Some say the dog has separation anxiety or other behavior issues and they don’t want to deal with them anymore and sometimes aggression.”

In response to these emails, the team tries to encourage those wanting to get rid of their dog or cat to work with them or seek out help from a family member or friend.

“Working with them can go a long way. They really suffer being surrendered and it’s becoming a huge problem all around,” the team explained.

Surrendering is legal, dumping is not

Pets can be expensive and require a lot of time and energy from their owners. It is a luxury, not a right to be an owner.

If someone is overwhelmed and needs advice, SPCA Cincinnati has staff members ready to help and walk pet owners through the next steps. For assistance, the community can dial 513-541-6100.

“The SPCA Cincinnati encourages pet owners to seek support & guidance first before giving up on your companion animal,” the spokesperson said. “They depend on us to protect them through all circ*mstances, and it is okay to ask for the necessary help.”

Additionally, the shelter says they will help owners by providing essentials just to keep the animal in the home.

But sometimes life happens and people are not capable of taking care of their pets. Thankfully, there are about a dozen shelters in the area, including SPCA.

Since surrendering an animal is legal, police are not involved and there are no consequences.

Here is a list of other shelters and organizations in the Greater Cincinnati Area that can help with lost/found pets or offer surrender services:

• Cincinnati Animal CARE - 513-541-7387
• Animal Friends Humane Society - 513-867-5727
• Save the Animals Foundation - 513-561-7823
• Protect 4 Paws Animal Shelter - 859-781-0551
• Kenton County Animal Shelter - 859-356-7400
• Ohio Pet Sanctuary - 513-388-9998 (Does not rescue dogs)
• League for Animal Welfare - 513-735-2299
• Campbell County Animal Shelter - 859-635-2819
• Boone County Animal Shelter - 859-586-5285
• Stray Animal Adoption Program (SAAP) - 859-391-1234
• Clermont County Animal Shelter - 513-732-8854
• Warren County Animal Shelter - 513-695-1176

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