29th Street Ballroom
Humans Have to Stop Treating Animals as Disposable
RECEIVED Wed., Nov. 23, 2005
Dear Editor,
Thanks Rachel Proctor May for a well-written and powerful article on Austin's NKM and where it really is in 2005 [“What Happened to the No-Kill Millennium?,” News, Nov. 18]. NKM ain't happening and it won't happen as long as we humans continue to treat companion animals as disposable.
There are many reasons why NKM is unattainable – spay/neuter and the overpopulation that ensues is significant and should be addressed.
But especially stomach-turning and unforgivable are the numbers of folks who dump their family pets when they become “inconvenient.” The reasons are as endless as they are ridiculous; moving, new baby in home, no time, needs a yard, new boyfriend is allergic, etc.
These are but a few of the lame excuses we hear every day from folks leaving their pets at TLAC. The heartlessness of this is mind-boggling. How can anyone walk away from their pets? Yet they do – every single day. Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Chanukah are no exceptions. As a matter of fact, many holidays see an increased number of owner turn-ins at TLAC.
TLAC is the dumping ground for an ignorant community – perhaps we make it too easy for these folks. Maybe like Rachel, they should spend real time in the shelter and see the reality of each animal's chances at leaving alive. Perhaps that should be a requirement of dumping your family companion animal? It is doubtful that such folks have the courage of Rachel and the TLAC employees to do this.
It really is simple – if you can't commit to an animal for its entire life, a minimum of 10 years, do the animal world a favor and don't bring it home to begin with, OK?
Thanks again Rachel for your compassion and respect to the animals, and to the TLAC employees and our sad duty.
Thanks Austin Chronicle for having the courage to put this tragic but all-too-real issue on your cover.
Thanks Rachel Proctor May for a well-written and powerful article on Austin's NKM and where it really is in 2005 [“What Happened to the No-Kill Millennium?,” News, Nov. 18]. NKM ain't happening and it won't happen as long as we humans continue to treat companion animals as disposable.
There are many reasons why NKM is unattainable – spay/neuter and the overpopulation that ensues is significant and should be addressed.
But especially stomach-turning and unforgivable are the numbers of folks who dump their family pets when they become “inconvenient.” The reasons are as endless as they are ridiculous; moving, new baby in home, no time, needs a yard, new boyfriend is allergic, etc.
These are but a few of the lame excuses we hear every day from folks leaving their pets at TLAC. The heartlessness of this is mind-boggling. How can anyone walk away from their pets? Yet they do – every single day. Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Chanukah are no exceptions. As a matter of fact, many holidays see an increased number of owner turn-ins at TLAC.
TLAC is the dumping ground for an ignorant community – perhaps we make it too easy for these folks. Maybe like Rachel, they should spend real time in the shelter and see the reality of each animal's chances at leaving alive. Perhaps that should be a requirement of dumping your family companion animal? It is doubtful that such folks have the courage of Rachel and the TLAC employees to do this.
It really is simple – if you can't commit to an animal for its entire life, a minimum of 10 years, do the animal world a favor and don't bring it home to begin with, OK?
Thanks again Rachel for your compassion and respect to the animals, and to the TLAC employees and our sad duty.
Thanks Austin Chronicle for having the courage to put this tragic but all-too-real issue on your cover.
Kathryn Sharp
Rescue coordinator
Town Lake Animal Center
Rescue coordinator
Town Lake Animal Center