POCAHONTAS, Ark. - Euthanasia is a last resort for animal control in Pocahontas, according to George Pratt, the city’s animal control officer. When the shelter is at capacity and foster homes are unavailable, the decision to euthanize some animals becomes necessary to make space for others in need.

“It bothers me, you know, when I have to, you know, put these animals down,” Pratt said. “But I do realize that it’s because of people that this situation exists.”

Pratt explained that he tries to avoid euthanasia whenever possible, first attempting to relocate animals to other shelters or find foster homes. However, he said some animals are too sick, injured, or aggressive to be safely re-homed. For others, the lack of space remains the deciding factor when difficult choices must be made.

The shelter regularly receives abandoned animals from beyond city limits, according to Pratt. He said pets are often left on bridges, roadsides, near dumpsters, or even at the shelter's gate. Loose pets without identification also present challenges. Pratt encouraged owners to attach ID tags or contact information to ensure their pets can be quickly reunited if they are found.

On Tuesday afternoon, Pratt responded to a call about kittens allegedly thrown off a bridge in a bag. Upon inspection, the bag was found to contain balloons, but calls like this one highlighting potential abandonment are not uncommon.

Bailey Slusser, a volunteer with the non-profit organization Five Rivers Animal Aid, spoke about the reasons behind pet abandonment. She cited the financial and time commitments involved in caring for animals, especially puppies and kittens, as key factors.

“It’s expensive,” Slusser said. “It’s a lot of work. And it’s hard to get rid of them. And you don’t want to just give them to anybody because, you know, it can be dangerous.”

Slusser said the shortage of foster families creates further strain on animal control and rescue operations. She shared her own experience with the organization, noting that her initial call for help eventually led her to get involved as a volunteer.

For Pratt, euthanasia is a deeply emotional decision, but he feels it is often the most humane option when no alternatives exist. “It’s something that people don’t understand,” he said. “Euthanasia actually has a definition that people don’t know. It means ‘good death.’”

Local residents who wish to help alleviate the burden on the shelter can consider fostering a pet or volunteering with organizations like Five Rivers Animal Aid.