Lisa Carnley is managing editor of the Lampasas Dispatch Record. I went to the grand opening of the new Lampasas Animal Shelter a couple of weeks ago. I knew it was a mistake. I barely escaped without taking an animal home.

A black dachshund at the shelter seemed to know I am a weenie dog person. It just kept staring at me as I walked by. I knew I wanted him, but I also knew I couldn't have him.

He was still there when I left.

So were the three Great Pyrenees in their fluffy, white coats just hoping for a giant piece of land to run on. And the beautiful chocolate Lab that kept sticking its nose through the cage to be rubbed. And there was a maltipoo (half Maltese, half poodle) that looked like it belonged anywhere but at the shelter -- and it probably did. Its cage is likely the last place that pet expected to find itself.

So much of the animals' suffering could be alleviated if people would take care of their pets. If you don't want them, don't get them. If you plan to keep them tied on a stake in the backyard all day, don't get them. If you don't have the time to feed and water them, don't get them.

And if you can't afford to take care of them, don't get them.

That label "can't afford them" was affixed to about half the animal cages as a reason the pets were turned over to the shelter.

It makes sense that animals need food, shelter and medical care. If you can't afford to give it to them, don't get them. It's as simple as that.

If you plan to keep your pets, it is wise to get them spayed or neutered. That helps control the animal population. Unwanted animals end up on the streets -- or worse.

And can you imagine how many animals could be returned to their rightful owners if they had collars with tags? That's not a novel idea. Tags with contact numbers and/or addresses would be most helpful in returning pets to their home.

Getting a microchip implanted in a pet also is a must. This enables veterinarians and shelters to establish the owner, who then can retrieve the pet after a simple phone call -- with the exception of the selfish pet owner whose dog cage tag read: "Dog was microchipped. I called the owners. They hung up on me."

Why do people like that even get animals? Pets are not toys. They rely on their owner to take care of them. They do grow up, and while they may not be cuddly little fur balls anymore, they are still living, loving beings.

Anyone who really wants (and I mean really wants and plans to continue to care for) an animal should stop by the shelter and see the pets begging for a good home. It will break your heart.

Some people find it hard to resist, including Lampasas Chief of Police Tim Angermann and his wife, Sabrina, who adopted a dog, and Sheriff David Whitis and his wife, Judi, who took home a kitten.

It's because of certain people that animals end up at the shelter, but it's people like us who can get them out, take them home and vow to love them as long as we have them -- and that is just never long enough.