Dumping is a local issue that no amount of cleanups or citations can fix overnight.

And while dumping trash is a real problem, there is another dumping problem that should also be addressed, puppies and kittens being left on the side of the road to fend for themselves.

It may seem harmless to those attempting to dispose of unwanted animals, but they are putting lives in harm’s way.

They may think that these small creatures will have a chance at life, maybe some kind soul will take them in and give them food and shelter.

But what these individuals are not considering is the possibility that the helpless animals may fall victim to a predator, be run over by a vehicle or die of starvation.

While there are plenty of kind-hearted people that will take in stray animals, not everyone has the time or money to do so, so they too may turn to transporting the animals further down the road to another remote location only to be dumped again.

There are a couple of ways to help reduce instances of pet abandonment.

First and foremost, have your pets spayed and neutered. By preventing unwanted litters, you will be saving yourself a lot of trouble in having to find homes for kittens or puppies.

If for some reason an unexpected litter comes along, have your pet spayed as soon as it’s safe to do so.

And, if you are having a hard time finding homes for unwanted animals, it’s better to bring them to the Pearl River County SPCA than abandon them on the side of the road.

Before bringing the pet to the shelter, give the staff a call to ensure there is space.

While the shelter will accept pets for free from Pearl River County residents, the staff would certainly appreciate a donation of money or supplies to help with their expenses.