A recent call from Magnolia Chapter of the Humane Society of Louisiana volunteer Dancie Magee hit home on a personal level.

Magee was frantically searching for possible foster parents and individuals who could adopt dogs being kept at the Bogalusa Animal Control pen behind the courthouse before they are euthanized because of a lack of space.

There were some beautiful animals that had been taken in, especially a gregarious bull mastiff. His brindle coloring really made him stand out. It is hard to imagine how anything so beautiful could be simply put down. But that is what happens sometimes when uncaring people can’t afford pets and don’t know what to do with them.

Magee said the shelter was also housing two female pit bulls. Both had collars on them, so you know somebody somewhere had either abandoned or lost them. It’s just a shame how anyone can lose track of something so beautiful. If they were indeed abandoned, the owner should be tracked down.

The Magnolia Chapter charges $65 to adopt dogs, which includes spaying and neutering and all shots. The fee for cats is $35, which also includes spaying and neutering and shots.

For anyone who chooses to adopt a dog through the city, the fee is only $10, which includes spaying and neutering, required by state law.

It is unthinkable owners can abandon pets without a second thought.

Our elderly neighbor had to move but apparently didn’t make arrangements for someone to take care of her big tom cat. In the two months or so since the neighbor moved, her cat has beaten a path to our door waiting on food and crying like a baby to let us know he is hungry.

At first, the neighbor’s cat kept his distance, apparently not sure whether we were friend or foe. We fed him some dry food from time to time, but that wasn’t enough. So we let him have some of the canned food we feed our four cats.

That was a mistake. Now he waits for me to come in from work and brushes up against my legs at every opportunity. I guess the cat has adopted me. My cats are none too fond of this invader because this cat will snatch food from the three smaller ones and then snarl and hiss at them.

But it’s a different story with our big male cat, Smoke. Smoke will allow the cat to hang around for a little while until the invader gets too bold and tries to gobble up all the food. Then it’s off to the bushes in a wild fight. I tried to walk the yellow cat away from the others to feed him the other day. Little did I realize Smoke followed us. They got into it and Smoke scratched my leg by mistake.

We resorted to feeding our cats inside and throwing dry food out to appease the neighbor’s cat. He’ll sit on the steps waiting. I’m sure he’ll try and make his way into the house if we’re not careful.

In the back of her mind, I believe the neighbor figured we would take care of her cat as well. It would have been nice if she had asked us, but to just abandon her cat was not right. I don’t want to call Animal Rescue on the poor animal, but if it gets much bolder, we will have to consider that option.

In the meantime, we’ll try and be a referee and keep them separated.

Randy Hammons is a staff writer for the Daily News. He can be reached at 985-732-2565 or by email at randy.hammons@thebogalusadailynews.com.