DEAR EDITOR:

I’m a nursing student at Youngstown State University and a Warren native. I’m writing due to the increase in animal abuse, abandonment,and lack of care in the area. I’ve spoken with local animal organizations that are also concerned and want the public to know more.

The Trumbull County Dog Warden in Howland focuses on dogs running loose or involved in an attack. When they get a new dog, they announce it on their Facebook page to try to find its owner. If no owner comes forward, the dog is kept at the pound and put up for adoption. They want the community to know that it is essential to keep your dog safe by keeping it on a leash when walking, making sure it is secured in your yard if left alone, and by putting a tag on the dog. Dogs left here can receive food, shelter, care and medical treatment. They house 30 dogs and rely on donations to keep them healthy and happy. If you have concerns about a missing dog, or one on the loose, or would like to donate supplies and your time, call the shelter for more information.

Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County in Vienna is the largest organization for humane concerns in the area, focusing on animal cruelty and neglect. A neglected animal has no food or water, and a lack of shelter and medical care. The AWL rescues animals from these conditions and prosecutes or fines those responsible. Owners are charged by the Ohio Revised Code and offenses vary. These include having an animal near death due to weather and lack of shelter or an animal suffering from health conditions due to a lack of medical care.

They want the community to always report what they see before it is too late. If there is no report, then no investigation can take place. This shelter houses 30 dogs, 65 cats, and 20 smaller pets. They care and provide medical attention to any injured or near-death animals. All animals available for adoption are posted on Facebook. If you would like to donate, volunteer or adopt, reach out to the shelter for more information.

The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project in downtown Warren is the newest shelter in the area, focusing on issues of abuse, neglect, abandonment, hoarding situations, and lack of medical care.

They post every animal they receive on their Facebook page and try to get them adopted or fostered. They want the community to know that they’re a strictly volunteer-based shelter and any help they receive is vital. They are always in need of donations as well, whether that is your time or through physical items. They ask all community members with a love for cats and dogs to set aside time to make a difference. HHPP houses over 80 animals at a time. If you would like to donate, volunteer, foster or adopt, reach out to the shelter for more information.

LAUREN KROMER

Canfield