Here’s my most recent letter to the editor of the Edmonton Journal that was never published … of course, what did I expect considering this new editor has proven to be animal non-friendly and refuses to publish many letters written by animal advocates which aim to provide balanced information to the public at large.
Those who are interested in the New York legislation please click on http://www.aspca.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8388&news_iv_ctrl=-1 and use this information to write to your own municipal, provincial and federal legislators.
The July 9 Journal Article “Kittens filling SPCA cages” is a heartbreaking commentary on our supposedly enlightened society. Despite continued efforts on the part of animal advocacy agencies, irresponsible owners are still refusing to spay and neuter their pets. The mass killing of living, sentient beings at SPCA’s throughout Canada and the US is appalling. During “busy breeding seasons” mid-sized SPCA’s kill on average 65 to 100 cats per day.
A recent ruling in New York State provides for mandatory licensing of people who sell dogs or cats, including backyard breeders and puppy mill operators. Without a licence, those who allow their animals to breed are subject to hefty fines. This is a very common sense, workable solution to the over population of animals in Alberta. Unlicensed breeders who offer litters of kittens and puppies in “free to good home” and classified ad sections of the newspaper would penalized. In addition, any stores that sell puppies, kittens or rabbits must provide the name of their “product” source to ensure that their producers are licensed to breed, and to ensure that their breeding facilities comply with provincial standards.
The American SPCA hopes that this law will provide the impetus and oversight to prevent those pet shops and backyard breeders who do not properly care for animals from continuing to do business in the State. Does the Province of Alberta have the courage to implement similar legislation to help alleviate the very sad work of unnecessary killing of animals that pounds and shelters are forced to perform because not enough good homes are available for the poor little souls that are born every minute of every day?