ANIMAL LOVER CALLS FOR CHANGE
On Saturday, Aug. 21, 1993, hundreds of animal shelters observed ”Homeless Animals Day.”
Each year an estimated 12 to 17 million dogs and cats are killed in shelters across the United States. These animals were killed because they are homeless, abandoned, cast away by their owners or lost. Most of them are young and healthy and would make wonderful pets.
Negligent individuals, commercial and hobby breeders and puppy mills continue to produce more puppies and kittens. An average 25 percent of animals killed in shelters are pure bred. In some regions, 45 percent are pure bred.
Sadly, dogs and cats and most other animals are perceived as disposable.
National statistics have shown 40 to 45 percent of dogs and cats who wind up in shelters were brought by their guardians. The reasons: moving, new carpet, going on vacation, too big, fleas, new baby and can’t afford.
Write to your elected officials explaining your community’s urgent need for low-cost spay/neuter facilities, for mandatory spay/neuter legislation and for breeding moratoriums.
Martha Nicholson
The Cat Corner, Hampton
ON ABANDONMENT
A dog sits waiting in the hot midday sun;
too faithful to leave, too frightened to run.
He’s been there for days now with nothing to do
but sit by the road just waiting for you.
He can’t understand why you left him that day
He thought you were stopping to take him to play.
His legs have grown weak, his throat parched and dry
He’s sick now with hunger, he falls with a sigh
He lays down his head and closes his eyes
I wish you could see how a waiting dog dies.
Kathy Flood
