By Mayda Gamez
Pulse Staff Reporter

As in past years, hairy four-legged friends have been seen roaming around campus. As the campus expands, so do the number of stray dogs.

I had a puppy follow me down the pathway, said Peter Myers, History Instructor. He laid down, rolled over and I petted him. He had those puppy eyes. Myers felt like the dog was asking him for a home.

In many cases, these dogs have wandered away from their homes, and their owners havent been lucky enough to find them. Or maybe the owners havent attempted to look for them? It is a crime to dump animals.

Many dogs are left to scavenge for food, shelter and a new place to call home. The lack of responsible pet owners is a giant problem in San Antonio.

We were killing more than 50,000 animals a year at the peak, said Lisa Norwood, Public Information Officer for the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services Department. Gradually, each year weve been able to lessen that number. Last year, 30,000 stray pets were euthanized.

A pet takes a lot of responsibility and effort. Feeding your pet is only part of the picture; vaccinations, grooming and training are also critical in taking care of your pet. Owning a pet is like having a child of your own; the only difference is that you dont have a diaper on the dog or cat. Instead, you would need to pick up the poop they leave behind in the neighbors yard or anywhere else they go.

These dogs are not vaccinated, said Jonathan Hernandez, a sophomore Communications major. Vaccinations cost me $65 for my dog!

According to the Cost Helper web site, the average cost for a dogs first year vaccinations range from $20 to $150. Thereafter, it costs $10 to $100 per year. Include your pets food, water, bed and bathing supplies into the overall cost.

With my minimum wage, it takes me $60 a month for food, shampoo and extra things for my dog, said Hernandez. So it takes me about 10 hours of work just to provide for Sadie, my dog.

Animals dont know or understand abstinence; its up to owners to make sure their pets are neutered (males) or spayed (females).

The reason why we have an over pet population is because people are allowing their animals out, allowing them to breed uncontrollably, said Norwood.

By 2012, the City of San Antonio wants to become a No-Kill City. No birth is the first step to no kill. Adoption is another. Check out the Own Up SA web site. You may also volunteer your time by becoming a foster parent for a dog, cat, bird or even a horse until they find permanent homes.

For more information on how to help the city to become No-Kill, call the Animal Care Services at (210) 207-4738. Visit their shelter, located at 4710 State Hwy. 151, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Elizabeth Brown, at (210) 207-8173 to sign up as a volunteer.