Re: “Is Every Life Precious? A Call To Reform Lakewood’s Animal Shelter”

Dear Editor:

Like writer Craig Bobby, every caring person wants to end the need for euthanasia of homeless dogs and cats, but until animal births are brought under control through spaying and neutering, euthanasia will remain necessary to prevent animals from suffering.

“No-kill” shelters may seem appealing at first glance, but shelters that arbitrarily end euthanasia often resort to warehousing animals in cages indefinitely, sometimes for years. Dogs and cats are social beings who need exercise, mental stimulation, and regular companionship to thrive. Being stored like old shoes makes many animals depressed, withdrawn, or aggressive, and even less adoptable. Many no-kill shelters also lower their adoption standards and hand animals over to anyone who will take them—including animal hoarders posing as “rescuers.”

No-kill shelters also turn animals away when their cages are full. Many of these rejected animals still die—the lucky ones, painlessly, in the arms of caring workers at open-door shelters; the less fortunate ones by starving, being hit by cars on the streets, or being cruelly killed by people who don't want them.

The only real and humane way for Lakewood to become a no-kill community is to first become a no-birth one—by passing mandatory spay/neuter legislation and by outlawing the unregulated breeding and sale of animals by breeders, pet shops, flea markets, and puppy mills. To learn more, visit www.PETA.org.

Sincerely,

Teresa Chagrin

Animal Care & Control Specialist

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)