In observance of national "Homeless Animals Day," the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri will hold its third annual Candlelight Vigil for homeless animals this month.

A record number of 697 homeless animals were left at the society's shelter in June.

Cindy Lange, program coordinator for the society, said the staggering number of homeless animals is the reason for the vigil.

"We want to shine a light on the fact that there is an overpopulation pet crisis," she said.

The vigil will be held at 8 p.m. Aug. 16, at the Lutheran Men's Shelter No. 1 in Arena Park.

The number of pets left at the shelter at 2536 Boutin Dr. in July was 564. Of that number, 29 pets were returned to their owners and 82 animals were adopted. The remaining animals were euthanized at the shelter's crematorium.

Lange said there may be many reasons why the number of abandoned animals left at the shelter has increased.

"Although we have been here 15 years, people may just be realizing we are here," she said. "But leaving animals at the Humane Society should be the last resort."

Lange said those who need to find a new home for a pet or find an abandoned pet should try to find the animal a private home before leaving it at the shelter.

"The shelter should be a place for animals that have been thrown into the street: the homeless animals," Lange said.

Many animals other than cats and dogs are taken to the shelter. Lange said many are not typical pets.

"We have small animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens, ferrets, but we also get pot belly pigs and hedge hogs," she said.

Recently a python snake and a tarantula spider were left at the shelter. The snake and the spider were adopted.

Animals that don't get adopted or animals that are very sick are cremated.

"It is better to put them to sleep than have them get hit by a car, get diseases, or enter into another pregnancy cycle," Lange said.

The shelter requires all animals that are adopted to be spade or neutered. Unfortunately, Lange said, many people do not spade or neuter animals before they come to the shelter, and that most likely accounts for an increase in homeless animals.

She said many pet owners are afraid to spade or neuter their animals because of myths about the procedures.

"Many people do not take advantage of the procedures because they believe it will change the pet's personality or the animal will be less active."

Lange said if people spade or neuter before the pet has set behavior patterns there will be no or little effects.

Those who drop animals off at the center are asked to give as much information about the homeless pet as possible.

"If you know anything about the animal, we need to know," said Lange. "If we don't know the information we will try to fill in the gaps. We examine the teeth to tell its age and check the animal over."

Next Saturday's vigil will feature Mike Shain and Amy Jacquin of KFVS-12 as speakers.