Shelter continues to be source of problems
I am always disturbed when I read an article in the Standard about the local animal shelter. Do we ever hear good news about the shelter? No. It is always concerning under-staffing, overcrowding, and underfunding. Now we are told it has closed simply because it does not have enough money to operate.
I spoke to Humane Society president Andy Anderson on the phone the day the shelter closed. She told me, among other things, they “put down” over 7,000 animals in the past year and a half.
I spoke, in person, to our county executive, Kenneth Rogers, that same afternoon. He said the shelter is a non-profit organization and that the county is not obligated to financially support it, although last year they “donated” $23,000. Mr. Rogers also told me the county is considering running the shelter in the future.
Unless some laws are put into place to make irresponsible pet owners accountable for their neglect, Warren County will continue to have problems with the shelter, regardless of who is running it.
The name “animal shelter” implies to me a safe haven for lost or found pets, a temporary place for animals to be taken care of until they are reunited with their owners.
Even though the people of the shelter do this, it seems to me they are being forced into running a slaughterhouse. They are the ones who must do the dirty work of taking in unwanted litters of puppies and kittens and adult animals that have been given up for one reason or another. They must feed, love, care for and play with these animals – up to the moment they must inject them with a lethal dose of barbiturate, hold them while they die then place them in an incinerator.
These are God’s creatures. It is our responsibility to take care of them and most of us do. Those who do not have any respect for their animals should be punished by the law and not allowed to keep them.
In 2004, the Tennessee legislative session ended with the passing of several bills related to animal protection. SB-374 and HB-1474 require training and certification of law enforcement officers and also upgrades from a misdemeanor to a felony a first offense of animal cruelty. While this is definitely a step in the right direction it does not address the problem of reckless procreation of animals
Why can’t we invoke and enforce a law in this state (or even our county) that requires all pets to be vaccinated, to wear identification tags, and to be spayed/ neutered (with the exception of registered breeding animals and working dogs).
Why can’t we require breeders to be registered and licensed, thus preventing the operation of “puppy mills” that have recently become so infamous?
I came across a Web site for the Animal Protection Institute (www.api4animals.org/1039.html), which had a heart-wrenching article, titled, “Euthanasia and the Animal Shelter.” I wish everyone would read it. If you are brave enough to do so, make sure you have a tissue handy.
If anyone feels the same way I do, please contact me. There is strength in numbers and maybe together we can solve this problem. Wouldn’t it be nice to be the first county in the country that does not need an animal shelter?
Respectfully,
Sandy Stubblefield
Viola Road
Viola