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Animal control is a complex issue
To the editor:
I just read Shirley Connealy's column on "euthanasia," and I'd like to comment.
I support our local Humane Society, but in no way do I speak for them. My opinions are my own. I suspect that, were they completely honest with themselves, most of those critical of that column would recognize that Shirley did a fine job of expressing some very hard facts of life.
Since our shelter has become a "no kill" shelter, they have always had a "no pets accepted" sign posted. Oh, they've made heroic efforts to help folks out, but there's no denying a simple -- if unpleasant -- reality: There are far more pets than there are good homes.
Another simple fact: It costs money to support pets. Right now, it looks like the shelter will have about $1,000 to operate with for this month. Only if others pitch in will basic expenses be met. This burden is being carried by the same handful of folks, month after month.
An animal shelter has two choices:
1. They can accept pets, give them a chance to be adopted -- and kill the least adoptable ones; or,
2. A shelter can be "no kill," and simply stop accepting pets.
In many places, there is an "animal control" that accepts any pet. In those places, the "no kill' shelters skim the cream of the pets ... leaving animal control to be the "bad guy." In my opinion, that's being unfair to animal control, and the holier-than-thou "no kill" folks ought to be ashamed of themselves.
Naturally, the greatest amount of shame belong to those who claim to be "no kill' for fundraising -- then quickly kill the pets anyways. The most famous such scoundrel is PETA, who was caught red-handed. Sadly, they're not alone.
Another way to think about it: I often drive to St. Louis. On EVERY trip, I see dogs running about the freeway -- or dead upon the shoulder. That's what often happens when folks no longer want a pet -- they drive far away, and dump it in the countryside.
We'll never stop unfit folks from having pets. Nor can we prevent good families from encountering hardships. So, what can we do?
First, we can be responsible with our own pets. That means having them fixed, and exercising restraint in how many we have. When we want one, we can adopt an older shelter pet, rather than insist on buying a purebred puppy (or kitten). Finally, we can accept that a pet is a lifetime commitment -- and not a whim to tire of after a year or two.
Second, we can support our shelters. That means letting each one follow its own policies. We need to let them know we respect the difficult jobs they must do.
There's always room for donations. Want some fame? Adopt a kennel, the way some places "adopt" highways. Foster a pet --- that is, temporarily care for a dog or a cat in your home. Especially in the spring, we need people to foster litters of babies, until they're old enough to be adopted out.
If you're really brave, you'll even go so far as to work an afternoon of kennel cleaning into your weekly schedule.
Most important, REMEMBER. The shelters are there all the time, and not just during fundraising drives.
We all love our fur-babies; let's not fight amongst ourselves.