LETTERS: PET OWNERS MUST BEAR RESPONSIBILITY

To the editor:

A recent caller to Speak Out complained about people dropping off unwanted animals in the country. The caller's solution was to take these animals to the humane society instead of hoping someone would take in a stray. While the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri would prefer to function primarily as an adoption center, the reality is unless the community becomes more responsible it cannot. Too many people discard too many animals for us to find them homes.

The unfortunate truth is the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri takes in more than 5,000 animals per year. How sad it is when someone drops off a whole litter of puppies or kittens. Does the person realize most of these will not find a home? And if he does not have his dog or cat altered, it can happen again and again.

We need to realize animals are not throwaway commodities. They have feelings, and their lives have intrinsic value. To have a pet is to commit to a lifetime of care and devotion. Care includes having the pet spayed or neutered not just to prevent reproduction, but for other benefits also.

If circumstances leave a caregiver unable to fulfill obligations to his pet, the animal would be better off if the person who knows it best finds it a new home. Chance are slim that the Humane Society can. Too many animals come in too quickly to give them a significant opportunity to be adopted. Most must be killed within a few days to make room for new arrivals.

What are the solutions? 1. Do not get a pet unless you accept responsibility for a lifetime. 2. Adopt from the Humane Society. This will literally save a life and can discourage breeders and puppy mills from perpetuating the problem of pet overpopulation. 3. Have your pet spayed or neutered. 4. Donate to the Humane Society to encourage public education and expansion of services so fewer animals must die. The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri is a not-for-profit organization that depends upon charitable contributions to continue operation. Until community support increases significantly, the animals do not have a chance.

JENNY ISON STIGERS, Board Member

Humane Society of Southeast Missouri

Cape Girardeau