Fort Belvoir Animal Control helps lost, abandoned pets find homes

By Brittany Carlson, Belvoir EagleSeptember 12, 2013

Kitten
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

When pets are spotted wandering around Fort Belvoir -- lost, escaped, or worse, abandoned -- the Fort Belvoir Animal Control Program makes sure they get returned to their owners or adopted.

"It's a 24/7 job. I get phone calls at 10 o'clock at night, 3 o'clock in the morning," said Steve Watters, installation pest management coordinator with the Directorate of Public Works Environmental Division.

Watters and Alexandria Pest Services, a contracted agency, pick up and care for abandoned animals until they find a home. The installation pays close to $120,000 a year to collect and care for these animals, Watters said.

Community members report stray animals to the Military Police, who notify Watters and APS.

"We go pick them up, take them to the vet clinic and get them examined and checked for a microchip, and then we post it on Fort Belvoir's lost and found animals Facebook page (Animal Control) to try to locate their home," said William Talley, APS employee. "If we cannot find their owners, then they are up for adoption within three business days."

In the meantime, Talley and Watters care for the animals at Building 1496, the pest management building.

Since 2010, there have been more than 700 stray or abandoned animals on Fort Belvoir. Thanks to the program, all but five found a home, Watters said. Animals that can't find a home are sent to a no-kill animal shelter as a last resort.

"Without the help and advice from the Vet Techs and the Vets, we couldn't be as successful as we are," he added.

Most stray animals on post are dogs and cats. Once, APS collected an iguana, which is now living in a high school science lab.

Lost pets are easy enough to reunite with their owners, as long as owners abide by Fort Belvoir Regulation 40-905 and register their pet with the Veterinary Treatment Facility, Watters said.

Abandoned animals are more challenging.

During PCS season, there are always more abandoned animals on post, Watters said.

"Ever since the military stopped paying to ship pets from your old base to your new base and started giving the cash money to do it, that's when we noticed there was a big spike," Watters said. "People are saying 'Well, do I want to take this $700 and enjoy my vacation or do I want to take that same $700 and bring Fido with us?' Guess what? Off comes the collar and to the curb he goes."

Some breeds are not allowed in government housing here, including Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, German Shepherd and Pit Bull, including American Bulldog, he added. Some Families abandon these dogs when they hear of the rules.

"They have the reputation of being aggressive," he. "Once people find out that it is not an authorized breed, out the door they go."

Abandoned animals can contract diseases and be a threat to people, or prey on wildlife in the area.

When Families no longer want to keep a pet, Watters recommends either finding another home for it or taking it to a no-kill animal shelter. The closest shelters to Fort Belvoir include the Washington Animal Rescue League, Fairfax County Animal Shelter and Prince William County Animal Shelter.

The Provost Marshal Office has the authority to prosecute residents that neglect or abandon pets, Watters added.

"They can be held accountable," he said. "It's not right. It's inhumane."

To find out about animals up for adoption, or see whether a lost animal has been picked up, visit the Fort Belvoir Animal Control Facebook page.