November 13, 2020
5
Don’t Feed the Strays! And Other Advice for Animal Lovers
By MC2 Josh Coté, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
W
hen it comes to adopting and owning pets or Branch Chief. “My best recommendation when dealing dealing with stray animals in the Sigonella with stray animals is to leave them alone initially. We area, there are some things you should know. Luckily, don’t want people getting bit because an animal isn’t we have rounded up some experts to give us advice handled very frequently. That can be a significant on how to best take care of the cats and dogs in our public health concern to the local community.” neighborhoods and our lives. If you do decide to adopt a stray animal during your We all know there is a big problem with strays in time here in Sigonella, remember that you will have our community and even here to put in the time to train and care on Naval Air Station Sigonella for the animal. Also, remember that (NAS Sigonella) as well. There owning a pet might not be cheap are a lot of people who want to when you consider the cost of help these animals with a little ownership to include food, toys, vet bit of food or maybe even take visits, and shipment of the animal off them off the streets to find a the island. forever home, but it’s not always “If you do decide to adopt an animal that simple. Make sure you know here in Sicily, that’s awesome!” said the local laws first, and consider Melissa Wenger, president of the reaching out to the local animal Sigonella Animal Welfare Society. groups to get more information However, it is your responsibility to before you do so. get them off the island when it comes Most people may think that time to transfer. “This can be pretty there is no harm in feeding the expensive, especially if you cannot stray animals here on base. It can get on a rotator flight,” Wenger said, pull at your heartstrings to see “so make sure when you adopt a pet all of the strays around, but that start saving some money to make small action may have dangerous, sure you have the funds available for unintended consequences. the possible shipping and transport “I would like to urge the Grizzly, a very good boy, seen here modeling his of your animal.” shirt, was a Sicilian stray who was adopted by community to avoid feeding the favorite If you would like to adopt an animal the author of this piece. strays at all costs,” said Army Sgt. while you are here, you can reach out Chelsea Krepps, NAS Sigonella to one of the multiple organizations Veterinary Clinic Non-Commissioned Officer in here in Sigonella to assist you with that. If you aren’t Charge. “It is kind of a slippery slope, so if you are familiar with any of the many organizations, you can feeding the strays here on base, you are creating an ask around your command and they should be able to easy buffet for them. That attracts more strays and that get you in touch with the right people. puts them at risk to be harmed by us. It can put them There are many ways you can help stray animals at high traffic areas where there are cars and injury to besides adopting them or accidentally doing something them is possible, and injury to the community through to make the problem worse. You can always get the being in more contact with strays.” animal checked to see if it is microchipped so the owner You may think that you could help by adopting an can be located. You can also donate your time, money, animal to get it off the streets. Keep in mind that if you or food and supplies to one of the local animal groups to do decide to take in a stray, you should first use caution make sure the stray animals keep getting the assistance while approaching the animal. that they need. Just remember, though owning a pet “With stray animals, unfortunately we don’t know can be extremely rewarding, please be responsible and their medical history or their behavior at all,” said consider all aspects of pet ownership when you decide Capt. John Brandsma NAS Sigonella Veterinary Clinic to adopt.
