Spaying, neutering are best options

To the editor:

Vanessa Murray has a kind heart for wanting to help homeless dogs in memory of her son, but no-kill animal shelters are not the answer to the overpopulation crisis and can actually put animals in dangerous situations ("Volunteer opens no-kill shelter for dogs in Bollinger County," June 16).

When no-kill shelters fill up with animals, they often refuse to accept more, which can result in tragedy. In June 2005, for example, a Pennsylvania man deliberately ran over his dog with his truck after trying to surrender the dog at a no-kill shelter and being told the shelter was full. Animals that are accepted into no-kill shelters may languish for months, years or the rest of their lives in a cage, becoming withdrawn, depressed or aggressive, further decreasing their chances for adoption.

I encourage readers who would like to honor the memory of Murray's son to prevent unwanted animals from being born only to end up homeless by having their animals spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering are the keys to reaching the day when every animal has a loving home.

TERESA CHAGRIN, Animal Care and Control Specialist, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Norfolk, Va.