I've been writing my column about companion animals for eight years now, and some topics get way more attention than others.
Last week's installment, about Nathan Winograd's book, "Redemption," is generating tons of commentary. It explored the idea that instead of focusing on owners and draconion rules, we should set our sights on more effective shelter management and supportive programs like free spay-neuter.
So, what do you think -- who's to blame? Irresponsible owners, poorly staffed and run shelters, so-called humane associations whose advocacy of euthanasia would seem counterinuitive to their very purpose?
Comments (3)
So much money for shelters, rescues, euthanasia could be reduced by a free spay/neuter programs for all. I really believe the costs saved in these other areas would more than offset the cost of the free spay/neuter.
Animal overpopulation is not a myth. Free spay/neuter would be fine except responsible owners would have to have their animal spayed or neutered. The rescues I have adopted from rescuers were already fixed when they are put up for adoption. The fee I paid for them was included in the fee. This way there is no maybe adoptors will or maybe they won't have them fixed after they get them.
Hi Denise!
All of the above actually! Having worked in the rescue and refuge industry for over twenty years, we have lobbied successive Governments in Perth, Western Australia to introduce a bill to make all animal sterilisation compulsory.
However it has fallen on deaf ears because obviously because it is not "vote catching". But recently those in power are now realising the cost of this over population of animals and are instructing local governments to implement new laws governing animal care.
Of course some animal refuges are guilty of not caring for their charges adequately as are some breeders. There is good and bad in all aspects of this industry and I can't see that ever changing, except with the introduction of compulsory sterilisation which will reduce the amount of animals that could be abused.