I go with a group of volunteers called the Rome Planning Group to Rome, GA every quarter to help dogs and cats there. I interviewed Rachel Meier Sala of Floyd County Animal Alliance who organizes this. Thank you to Bridgemill Pets, Frida’s Foundation and Pet Buddies Food Pantry who donate food to this outreach.
What does the Rome Planning Group do and when did you start?
We are Unchain Floyd County and we are working towards the ultimate goal of enacting a full tether ban for the dogs of Floyd County. We want to work towards stronger laws and enforcement. The conditions that dogs are allowed to live in in Rome GA (Floyd County) are so awful because of lack of enforcement. We have tried education, and it is just not working. In the meantime, while we work towards changing the laws and conditions, we bring some small comforts to the animals that have to live in these deplorable conditions daily. We bring food, flea meds, dewormer, dog houses, toys, treats, and straw to chained or outside dogs and cats. We also get as many spayed and neutered as possible with owners permission and funds.
What are the main problems that you face in Rome?
Since you go with us, you see some of the main problems we face. There is lack of enforcement on conditions for dogs and some are just in absolutely deplorable conditions. They have no tether ban yet, so dogs can be chained outside 24/7. This type of chaining breeds negligence and mistreatment, and the laws are just not clear enough for animal control to do their jobs. There is also no spay/neuter laws so you see that the overpopulation is a major issue. The dogs that we assist have owners that can barely take care of themselves, they have no business having multiple dogs or cats (or any animals for that matter). Many do not get basic needs met unless we supply them.
How and why did you start this group?
I started this group about 7 years ago. I worked in Rome and my father lives there, and when I would be in the area, I was noticing just the sheer amount of chained dogs with absolutely nothing, living in filth and starving. I literally would just drive around and see dogs to help, and once we helped them would learn from the owners, or word of mouth, about others. I started posting for help and that’s when I connected with Monika Wesolowski (who lives in Rome and had been helping dogs on her own). From there we grew the group to a solid foundation of amazing volunteers that are regulars, including the W-Underdogs. We have multiple individuals that consistently come and do the dirty work and we couldn’t do this without them.
What are some success stories that you have?
We do have many success stories thankfully! Too many to count over the years. I have been lucky that so many rescue groups are willing and able to help us with dogs and cats that are surrendered. We have been able to save dozens (if not hundreds) of dogs off of chains and starving street cats. Many times the owners will realize that they cannot offer proper care and want better for the animals and we can usually find rescue or adopters to help. The change in a dog off of a chain or a cat that gets regular meals is incredible and heartwarming. So many incredible rescues help. We also count every spay/neuter as a win and have worked with No More Puppies GA recently to get multiple fixed.
What do you hope to accomplish and how long do you think it will take?
We hope to accomplish better living conditions including a tether ban and spay/neuter ordinances. It is just sad and frustrating that we have been doing this for 7 years and there has basically been no change at all. You would think that we had never come out every time we come back. Floyd County Animal Control (now called PAWS – Public Awareness Welfare Services) has a new director Jeff Mitchell that is making improvements, but a lot still needs to be done and they need a lot of help.
How can I, and the community, help you?
We always need community support, especially local. We need letters to commissioners asking for change (floydcountyanimalalliance@gmail.com). We need people to show up for commissioners meetings (when it is allowed). We always need “boots on the ground” to help but we hope to one day not have to go and do so much. We need the local community to stand up for animals and say that the conditions that they are living in are not ok. We need the local community to say animal abuse is not ok, and to want to do something to change it. We need them to want better.