Langley Advance

Friday, December 29, 2006 10:03 AM

Animal welfare: Healthy, lovable pets put down every day

Dear Editor,

Does Deanne Marson [Pet owner rushes to find dog a home, Nov. 28, Langley Advance] have any idea how many perfectly healthy, lovable, all-around great dogs are put to sleep each day? Obviously not.

Does she not realize that shelters are full and for every new dog that goes in, at least one will have to die to make the room - and if she had all that time and tried so many avenues to rehome her dog, with no success, what makes her think the shelter will have more luck?

They won't. In most cases, they will just be the ones stuck with the dirty work: holding the poor, terrified dog who is surrounded by strangers, while he is more likely than not put to sleep.

At least if an owner who has to take the responsibility of holding the dog will be all that much more careful in getting another pet.

When it is too easy for people to dispose of pets, there is no deterrence from going to the local puppy mills and grabbing another one.

K.E. Bjarnason, Vancouver

published on 12/29/2006