There are just a few persistent issues in Southern California which are attracting each intensive protection in The Occasions and outrage from our readers in response. One among them is the heartbreaking abuse and demise of younger kids, regardless of native authorities having beforehand been alerted by involved tipsters. Over time, the letters that specific probably the most anguish I can recall have talked about the names Anthony Avalos and Gabriel Fernandez.
These days — and particularly for the reason that begin of the COVID-19 pandemic — the disaster of overcrowded animal shelters run by the town and county of LA has drawn equally apoplectic letters, particularly from readers who’ve volunteered at these shelters.
We have now already printed some letters in response to Occasions reporters Alene Tchekmedyian and Alexandra E. Petri’s investigation into the excessive animal euthanasia charges within the Antelope Valley regardless of the opening of a brand new shelter meant to alleviate overcrowding. Since then, a number of letters have been despatched to us from volunteers and advocates pleading with pet guardians and shelter managers to make adjustments.
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To the editor: Kudos to The Occasions for investigating native animal shelters attempting to cope with the every day inflow of deserted pets. Additionally, because of LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger for recognizing that shelter directors should be held extra accountable for the deaths of so many harmless pets.
As a shelter volunteer, I witness animals being surrendered to the shelter as a result of lack of pet-friendly housing. Many pet house owners have misplaced their jobs or properties and want to search out an inexpensive place to reside. Typically these locations don’t enable pets or the administration discriminates based mostly on breeds and sizes.
Typically a landlord will enable a pet, however then a brand new firm takes over and provides a month-to-month pet payment that makes the hire unaffordable. So please, add landlords to the causes of the overcrowding disaster.
Additionally, cease utilizing the phrase “euthanasia,” outlined because the act of killing or permitting the demise of a terminally sick animal, to explain shelter deaths. When wholesome, pleasant and adoptable pets lose their lives in shelters, they’re euthanized.
Sherry Brewer, Sherman Oaks
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To the editor: I learn with curiosity your investigation of LA County’s animal shelters. Sadly, too many animals are euthanized in any respect county-run shelters.
As a 15-year volunteer on the Lancaster shelter, I owe this tragic state of affairs to 2 issues.
First, I blame the general public. Spaying and neutering of all household pets ought to be necessary. Too many individuals enable their animals to have puppies and these puppies are sometimes surrendered to shelters. Additionally, too many individuals undertake the “cute” pet and later drop it off on the shelter when they’re sick of the duty of taking care of a canine.
Second, I blame higher administration. I do not assume the managers understand how badly the shelters are understaffed. It’s an unattainable job for the few workers on the shelters to maintain up with the workload required of them. And these staff care – for years I’ve seen them work so exhausting for the welfare of those animals.
I hope this has delivered to mild what number of issues there are in any respect shelters in LA County, not simply Lancaster and Palmdale. I understand how exhausting the staff are working amid the issues of understaffing and overcrowding; they deserve higher.
Patricia Akkad, Acton
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To the editor: Horrifying, however not stunning, euthanasia charges on the Palmdale and Lancaster shelters are sky excessive, as they’re throughout the state.
Whereas shelters might enhance their operations—for instance, by growing public entry and prioritizing communication with rescue teams—such measures solely deal with signs of the underlying issues of overbreeding, devaluation of animals’ lives, and house owners utilizing shelters as dumping grounds.
I began my group, Social Compassion in Laws, to assist clear up the pet overpopulation disaster. The pandemic undid years of progress.
It’s extra mandatory than ever for folks to know that adoption (versus shopping for from breeders) is the one moral selection when searching for a pet. We want enforcement of breeding restrictions and sources to go to spay and neuter applications.
We can’t get out of the disaster. All of those pointless deaths will solely cease when Californians cease breeding and giving up pets.
Judie Mancuso, Laguna Seashore
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To the editor: My husband and I adopted two canine from the Lancaster animal shelter in 2008. As we speak, it’s probably that neither would have survived the shelter.
The primary canine, Pleasure, contracted a respiratory sickness on the shelter which will have made her a candidate for euthanasia. We introduced her residence and loved 13 years of canine companionship and vigilance.
Much more weak was Mel, an enormous, pleasant canine who was pores and skin and bones after we noticed him. He had been within the shelter for greater than two weeks after we adopted him. He and I turned a remedy canine staff visiting hospitals, faculties and senior amenities.
It’s unhappy to know that so many canine with Mel’s potential weren’t given the prospect to supply consolation and companionship to 1000’s of individuals.
Marie Corridor, Vancouver, Washington.