Pet rules need changes
Published: August 26, 2008 3:00 PM Dear editor,

In reply to Brenda Chappel’s letter (Record, Aug. 22), a few points:

Point 1: “Regulations are in place for a reason, to protect our community as a whole.”

Laws do not always make sense, nor do they always serve the public good. Far more powerful authorities than housing councils have created unjust and oppressive laws. One only needs to take a look at history to realize the fallibility of lawmakers.

By law, women in Canada were not legally considered “persons” and as such, were denied the right to vote and attain university degrees until 1929.

Point 2: “I would like to suggest a free spay and neuter clinic be established by our local veterinarians, if one doesn’t exist, for feral cats. Surely they could volunteer one day a month to this cause.”

One free day a month equals roughly five per cent of the veterinarians’ monthly income, plus they would have to pay at least minimal staff (a receptionist and a veterinary technician), and pay for anesthetic and surgery packs. Overall it would likely amount to 10 per cent of their income.

A considerable number of feral cats would have to be trapped in a single day for the “monthly free clinic” to be effective, and it would require many volunteers.

Would Ms. Chappel be willing to donate 10 per cent of her income to the cause, and spend one day a month trapping feral cats? If so, she should contact Kitty Cat P.A.L.S. immediately.

Point 3: “Possibly D. Howells, a caring person, could offer his home to the senior (dog) in question.”

I personally know David Howells, and he is indeed a very caring person. He has several adopted dogs and cats, old and infirm special needs animals that he has taken in. As the founder of Cat Advocates Society, I know for a fact that he has done more to help feral cats than any single individual in the Comox Valley.

Point 4: “It’s a sad comment if … in some cases our pets are our only family. That seems to me a personal choice, as we can choose to extend love not only to our pets, but to each other and our community.”

Whether by choice or happenstance, many people do not have family other than their companion animals. To those of us who consider cats as family, rather than just pets, it’s not a sad fact at all. To suggest that the love of a companion animal can simply be replaced by “love of each other and our community” is absurd and indicates a lack of understanding of the very important role of companion animals in our lives.

Point 5: “Cleaning an apartment, or a home after an irresponsible pet owner has left, is no small matter.”

I have no argument with this statement, but the key word is “irresponsible” and would be just as accurate as “after an irresponsible (petless) tenant has left.” Irresponsible adults and their children can cause as much damage to a domicile as an animal.

Point 6: “The seniors? Well, they chose that responsibility knowing what that entailed.”

Yes, and they should be commended for showing compassion toward animals in need. The feral cats and the abandoned dog are the victims of individual irresponsible actions, and if we can make any claim to humanity whatsoever, it’s our collective moral responsibility to help these unfortunate animals.

What the seniors have done is right, decent and humane. It’s the rules that are wrong and they need to be changed.

Carole Shannon,

Comox

http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_north/comoxvalleyrecord/opinion/letters/27453634.html