Noe uses the word to describe dogs like Number 1. Please do not view these photos unless you want to see the animal euthanasia process. The lab is young, less than a year, and wags his tail, wiggles his body, pants and yips when the tall woman, Jo Ann, opens his kennel door, talks to him and pets him, then slips the collar over his head and leads him outdoors. Always a treat to be taken outdoors. The euthanization of 4 to 6 million dogs and cats each year nationwide is seen, in the eyes of many animal supporters, as a tragedy that only gets worse.
Halifax officials say the numbers are growing, period, as the human population grows.
But Halifax now also takes in surplus cats and dogs from West Volusia Humane Society, which adopted a no-kill policy last year, and in the last four years has signed animal control contracts with Lake Helen, Deltona, Orange City and DeLand, to go along with contracts it already held with five East Volusia cities and Volusia County. The shelter has 120 kennel spaces for dogs, who can be doubled up if needed, and cages that will hold approximately 150 cats. The math is simple. Chances are less than 1 in 4. The majority don't leave a note.