Austin Studio & Garden, 1209 E. Sixth St.
Situation and Cover Nearly Made Reader Cry
RECEIVED Tue., Nov. 22, 2005
Dear Editor,
Each week my friend picks up a copy of the Chronicle for me so I can read it Friday morning.
This Friday, something was different. He ripped the cover off and told me, "You don't want to see this, I can't even tell you what's on it – you'll cry.” He basically summed it up with saying it was an article on animal "shelters" in Austin [“What Happened to the No-Kill Millennium?,” News, Nov. 18]. Later that day, as I headed down to Waterloo Records for some work, I finally saw what was on the cover. I nearly cried.
I understand that sometimes it takes something shocking to move people into action. I understand that simply telling people the numbers and statistics (thousands upon thousands) of euthanized animals doesn't affect people the same way as a photograph. But that said, I felt extremely disturbed. Disturbed because there is nothing more I can do. Disturbed because I've already adopted six stray cats and one turtle. Disturbed because I've already worked with my honor society to help EmanciPet, and with the Hurricane Katrina Evacuee Pets. Disturbed because I don't have the money for the ultimate solution – shelter space and free spays and neuters (as well as education).
Chronicle – I applaud you for making such a daring move to jolt society out of inaction, but I also wonder why some of these events you sponsor throughout the year can't be fundraisers for these so-called "shelters" (and actually, it's Town Lake Animal Center – that place is no shelter!). I encourage you to consider your budget for the 2006 fiscal year and to make room for donations to save the lives of innocent animals, and save the eyes of people who have already done as much as they possibly can.
Each week my friend picks up a copy of the Chronicle for me so I can read it Friday morning.
This Friday, something was different. He ripped the cover off and told me, "You don't want to see this, I can't even tell you what's on it – you'll cry.” He basically summed it up with saying it was an article on animal "shelters" in Austin [“What Happened to the No-Kill Millennium?,” News, Nov. 18]. Later that day, as I headed down to Waterloo Records for some work, I finally saw what was on the cover. I nearly cried.
I understand that sometimes it takes something shocking to move people into action. I understand that simply telling people the numbers and statistics (thousands upon thousands) of euthanized animals doesn't affect people the same way as a photograph. But that said, I felt extremely disturbed. Disturbed because there is nothing more I can do. Disturbed because I've already adopted six stray cats and one turtle. Disturbed because I've already worked with my honor society to help EmanciPet, and with the Hurricane Katrina Evacuee Pets. Disturbed because I don't have the money for the ultimate solution – shelter space and free spays and neuters (as well as education).
Chronicle – I applaud you for making such a daring move to jolt society out of inaction, but I also wonder why some of these events you sponsor throughout the year can't be fundraisers for these so-called "shelters" (and actually, it's Town Lake Animal Center – that place is no shelter!). I encourage you to consider your budget for the 2006 fiscal year and to make room for donations to save the lives of innocent animals, and save the eyes of people who have already done as much as they possibly can.
Deanna Root
