Why We All Need Animal Cops

How many of us sit glued to our television sets when "Animal Cops" is on Animal Planet? I'm not ashamed to raise my hand. I watch every episode that I can.

With each new episode, I learn something. I also become more frustrated at the lack of available services for our pets.

Picture if you will a scenario: A renter is required to pay a certain amount per each pet; 2 pet maximum. Yet, this renter cannot help but take in animals in need, even going so far as to hide them from her landlord. After all, every dollar helps when one is trying to help animals, plus, being over the permitted amount of pets, she faces legal eviction.

Still, this renter continues to accept animals in need. One night, she receives a young puppy so desperately ill he cannot nurse any longer. A puppy so ill that he requires emergency veterinarian care. He is so weak that he is unable to even hold his head up or drink a bit of water.

There's no vet to be found. Knowing this puppy will likely die that night, the renter does what little she can to keep the puppy warm and comfortable, and waits for him to die.

As I sit and write this, that puppy is sleeping mere inches from me. Yes, I'm anticipating his death tonight. I don't like it, but that's the way it is.

After searching for emergency vet care, or even an open shelter, I came up empty. The one veterinarian within five miles of me has an answering machine with a message to call back during business hours.

Now, if I were living in New York City, or the surrounding areas, which is where I hail from, I could easily call the ASPCA and feel secure that on officer would come and rescue this animal.

But because I live in a tiny town in Alabama, that's not an option.

Thus, this puppy will likely die tonight. As I watch him struggling to breathe, an awful mix of emotions overwhelms me. I'm angry, frustrated, sad, and feeling incredibly helpless. I know I cannot save this puppy.

If even one agency like the ASPCA existed in each county in our country, many more pets could and would be saved.