LETTERS

I gotta be honest, normally I don’t give a second thought to uninvited objects thrown into my driveway, but something compelled me to take a gander at your publication, and I was reminded of a very serious problem also reported by the Seattle Times a while back regarding the horrific state of affairs at certain King County Animal Shelters (in Bellevue and Kent, namely).

I was saddened that in the Reporter’s April 5 editorial there were no solutions, suggestions or contacts in which to make use of the info, and it desperately needs rectifying.

As someone who has volunteered and acted as a “home activist” for some 20 years, spending loads of time, energy and occasionally money (I so don’t have to spare!) toward several animal, humanitarian & environmental causes, this is more than just a tug on the heart strings … it’s unacceptable. In our above middle class society, there is NO excuse for such improper levels of sanitation, staff expertise, general care and maintenance, or outright neglect going on within these facilities.

These could be anyone’s pet, picked up as a stray or — like anything we’ve ever owned — an undiscovered treasure. Most of these are wonderful potential companions; beautiful, smart, loving, and with half a chance, usually perfectly healthy “gifts from Above.” I’m not religious, but anyone who’s loved a pet knows.

Not only have we patronized a few shelters in the area, but have helped periodically and always tout them as “the way to go,” knowing that with each status-building purebred purchase, one more shelter pet dies … and the numbers are staggering. All the more need for larger capacity/more efficiency. Further, the need for education and awareness is crucial — spaying/neutering, responsible ownership, and promoting life-enriching adoptions.

I strongly encourage you to further spread the word by contacting your local news, state representatives, schools … anything.

I firmly believe that a person or society’s character can be judged by how it treats its “lesser” souls, in this case ones who can’t speak for themselves.

Beth Franklin-Cessna

Redmond