Pets are responsibility too Published Oct. 28, 2009 By Angelina Wilson 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Household pets are beings that can enhance the morale of a family by being playful, joyful and comforting. But pets are also dependent beings who add responsibility to a family. Not only are Shaw military housing residents allowed to have pets in their homes, but the base boasts a veterinary clinic and a fenced-in dog exercise park available to Shaw personnel. Also, the base has partnered with the Sumter City Police Department-Animal Control Unit to ensure the safety of Shaw residents. The Shaw housing office provides a packet of information to each new resident which includes the rules that are in place to ensure a safe environment for military housing residents. Among them: 1. Residents are allowed to have up to three pets in their home. 2. All pets must remain under the occupants' control at all times. 3. All household pets must be licensed and have all required vaccinations. 4. All pets must be registered with the Shaw veterinary clinic. The Shaw veterinary clinic is available for pet check-ups, vaccinations, lab work, pet micro chipping, and sick call for skin, eye, and ear problems. Contact the clinic at 803-895-9552 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Services are available by appointment only. Though a veterinarian is available, the Shaw vet clinic encourages pet owners to maintain a relationship with a vet off-base for emergency situations. Norma Crosby, Shaw's housing manager said, "Animals are like members of your family. As a member of your family, your pet should be treated with love by taking care of its needs and ensuring the animal remains under control at all times. I've learned when housing residents take care of their pets we have very few problems or complaints." Unfortunately, some pet owners grow careless or neglectful, she said. In such cases, residents may contact the Shaw housing office at 803-895-3117 to report neglected or mistreated animals. Anonymous calls are allowed. Recently, several pets have been abandoned on base by families who moved away from Shaw. Some abandoned animals are not spayed or neutered which has caused the problem to grow exponentially as the animals reproduce in the wild. Since Shaw does not have shelter facilities, all animals, domesticated and wild, are collected, sheltered and disposed of by the SCPD-ACU. Residents should contact the SCPD-ACU at 803-436-2066 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Outside those hours, residents are asked to contact the 20th Security Forces desk to report vicious animals only. Shaw officials urge pet owners to take their responsibility seriously.