Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 30, 1994 TAG: 9410310003
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-16 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PETER S. WILLIS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Twenty years ago, when she was a third-grader in Richmond, a stray dog wandering onto the school's playground caught her attention through the classroom window. The dog was so emaciated from starvation that her pregnant condition was obvious through the parchment-like quality of her skin, Ligon recalled.
"It was the worst thing I ever saw," she said. "And I think about it all the time."
It was this sad picture that steeled Ligon's resolve to work for stray and neglected animals. It is a commitment she has never abandoned.
The desire to help animals stayed with Ligon throughout her high school and college years, fueled by her parents' similar feelings and dedication. Her mother, Carol Hoge, was president of the Montgomery County Humane Society for almost five years.
Joe Flynn, her father, "was always bringing home stray animals," Ligon recalled.
Ligon's dedication to animal rights runs deep. She often incorporates animal awareness teaching units into her special education classrooms at Prices Fork Elementary School.
"I give children credit," she said. "I think they're old enough to learn how to be responsible for their pets."
Responsibility is the key to many of the problems faced by the Humane Societies throughout the area. Many residents do not take the proper steps to care for their pets effectively, to ensure vaccinations and to have them spayed or neutered.
"I think it's wrong to punish animals for people's irresponsibility," she said.
Ligon is vice president of the Montgomery County Humane Society and director of the society's spay-neuter program.
There are those throughout the area who share her love for animals but are physically or financially unable to provide their pet with the necessary care. Ligon makes a special effort on their behalf to provide the transportation, discounted veterinary treatment or donated food for these owners.
"I think what I do in this county is like social services for animals," she said.
Much of the aid that allows Ligon to continue her efforts comes from volunteers and donations. She credited the Virginia Tech Pre-Veterinary club with providing much of the support for the society's spay-neuter program.
Ligon's efforts have made an impression on Dr. Mark Dallman of the North Main Small Animal Clinic in Blacksburg. He described her work as an attempt to find responsible answers to the society's problems. Dallman is one of many veterinarians who contribute their services to the society.
"We couldn't do 50 percent of what we do without their support," Ligon said.
Even with support from the community, Ligon and the Humane Society are hard pressed to handle a fraction of the animals needing attention. Stray cats are the "exponentially growing" problem and the subject of a licensing proposal in Blacksburg. Ligon is not in total agreement with the licensing and euthanasia efforts. She thinks the spay-neuter program would be a more effective means of addressing the feline population explosion.
Ligon is not one to let the odds overcome her, however. She continues her career as an educator and animal protection activist with determination. The path she chose years ago in a third-grade classroom in Richmond is the one she still follows today.
You can contact the Humane Society at P.O. Box 287, Blacksburg, Va. 24063 or by calling 382-1166. The shelter is at Flanagan Drive, Interstate 81 and Virginia 8.
by CNB