Why is UFAJ needed?

UFAJ is needed because the problems of pet over-population, neglect, and abuse require cooperative solutions between animal lovers and local governments.

Many local rescue groups perform a truly tremendous service to local animals by rescuing, pulling, vetting, fostering, and finding "fur-ever" homes for stray, injured, and abused animals. However, the shear number of animals in need continues to overwhelm the resources of these groups. Each and every year these rescue groups are forced to turn down animals due to the very large volume of animals that need help. For instance, more than 2500 dogs and an untold number of cats become homeless, each year in Lorain County.

Unfortunately, the rescue groups in Lorain County will never be able to purely "adopt their way" out of this terrible problem of pet over-population. The numbers of dogs and cats that become homeless each year in our county are simply more than overwhelming. Each year there are many more kittens and puppies born than there are homes that become available. The ONLY way to make the number of homes become nearly in line with the number of new dogs and cats is to put a MAJOR emphasis on spay and neuter programs. Many people in rescue groups get "burnt out" after several years and stop volunteering because the "caseload" is just too large and there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. The difference between the supply and demand for pet homes has been a terrible problem that has been continually bad year after year. However there is now some very good news regarding this issue! Thanks to County Commissioner Ted Kalo, and Commissioners Lori Kokoski and Betty Blair, the county kennel has implemented a spay and neuter program with $50 vouchers. Please see the county website, "http://www.loraincounty.us/dogs", for details

In addition to the homeless animals, there are very sadly many that are abused and neglected each year by their owners. UFAJ was formed to deal with the problems of pet over-population, pet neglect, pet abuse, and to also work with the county government to make improvements at the county kennel.

UFAJ is needed because the problems of pet over-population, neglect, and abuse require cooperative solutions between animal lovers and local governments. When the rescue groups speak to the governments as one unified voice, it is much easier for the governments to communicate with us and our voices carry more weight when it is the will of literally hundreds and hundreds of local citizens.