To the editor: Thanks on your thorough report on overcrowded Los Angeles County shelters that need to euthanize so many canine. So many people in animal rescue have tried and tried to deliver this tragedy to mild.
I’ve three options that price nearly nothing however might imply all the things:
- Earlier than a shelter labels an animal as “feral,” it ought to spend extra time on evaluation. Many cats and canine are merely scared, and so they merely want peace and love. Volunteers and shelter employees ought to ask their rescue companions the best way to take care of these frightened animals.
- Ask rescue companions to take higher photographs of the animals to be despatched for adoption. Add a phrase or two beneath the image to explain the animal, akin to “pleasant” or “shy however cute.” Whereas they’re at it, why not give the animal a cute identify as a substitute of simply itemizing an consumption quantity?
- Calm down a bit on the necessities for rescue companions. The paperwork hurdles are so daunting. If extra rescues can accomplice with county shelters, extra animals could be saved.
These concepts aren’t cure-alls, however they’d be an excellent begin.
Darlene Papa, Sierra Madre
..
To the editor: Those that are upset that canine are euthanized in shelters run by Los Angeles County ought to place the blame the place it belongs – on individuals who fail to decide to and responsibly take care of the animals they purchase, and on everybody, who breeds or buys an animal.
Shelters don’t create animal overpopulation and homelessness crises or the ensuing want for euthanasia. Individuals who mindlessly purchase animals solely to desert them when their novelty wears off do. So do individuals who discard animals like outdated furnishings once they transfer or go on trip, and so do individuals who do not spay or neuter.
Anybody who buys an animal from a breeder or pet retailer can be denying an exquisite canine or cat sitting in a shelter cage an opportunity at adoption.
Individuals who care should work to handle these root causes. Till then, regardless of what number of cages Los Angeles County has, they are going to all the time be full.
Teresa Chagrin, Norfolk, Va.
The author is head of animal care and management points at Individuals for the Moral Therapy of Animals.
..
To the editor: It looks like historical historical past to recollect the times when the town went door to door to ask should you had a driver’s license on your canine, and if not, required an proprietor to get one.
A number of canine later, I nonetheless obtain my discover within the mail yearly and renew with every new canine. I do not know if or how licensing is now enforced. Nobody has come to my door in years.
Nancy Goodman Lawrence, Mar Vista
..
To the editor: I used to be moved by your article to foster a canine or cat, having lately misplaced my rescue companion of 15 years.
However I used to be very dissatisfied to discover a convoluted job utility after I checked out it. I’ve a mattress and meals and love to offer.
Andrew Kirk, Sherman Oaks