People must help animals

Taking responsibility for homeless animals is not a very popular topic, albeit a hot one. Without attempting to criticize community practices of animal control, which consists primarily of euthanasia and, at its best, can only be described as the lesser of two evils, I am wondering if public opinion realizes that no matter how intensive efforts of animal control are to reduce those staggering numbers, they will never succeed in eliminating the problem, or even in reducing the cost until each one of us becomes directly (or indirectly) involved.

All homeless animals can be traced to human involvement. People who dump, abandon or abuse animals. These are the ones who should be blamed, certainly not responsible pet owners; definitely not the animals. But until those who are callous and cruel, who don't think twice about dumping helpless animals, often in remote and rural area so they won't be caught, who don't think one second about the cost and extra burden imposed on everyone who pays taxes, are identified and called to account for this, we will pick up the tab.

Yet, the staggering numbers of impounded animals that must be euthanized speaks very loudly that society, as a whole, is not responsible enough to license and sterilize their own animals, much less care about those that are abandoned.

I have, in the past, opposed rounding up and impounding people's pets. But, sad to say, it looks like that's the only way many people will practice responsible ownership. Many will never be coerced into providing anything for animals, unless it is through the courts or in taxes. So, if this is what it takes to prevent the perpetual problem that only results in more and more euthanasia, so be it. I would opt for forcing people to sterilize their pets, if it would work. Regardless, how innocent people's intentions, dumped and homeless animals, for the most part are not greeted with open arms. In the past (they would now if they could avoid prosecution) they would be treated brutally. They were (and still are) drowned, poisoned, shot and even tortured.

Worse, nothing (very little anyway) was done to prevent cruelty to animals. That's all changing, but change comes slow. If you can't help financially (those who are fostering them) or adopt one either, perhaps you can speak up in their defense when the need arises. You are the voice of the voiceless. They have no say in the matter on how they will live or die. Entirely dependent (as children) on human compassion, they come to us for help. Don't turn even one away. Call if you can't help. You can call the police, you don't even have to leave your name.

I hope each one of us will work harder, starting right now, to prevent the perpetuation of homeless animals.