INBOX LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor:

Debbie Graham is an excellent speaker, and as a long time advocate for animals, she speaks from her heart. I wish more people had been at the Moss Memorial library on Saturday, April 5, to hear Debbie's talk about the Valley River Humane Society and the work being done there. I worked with Debbie last year on the Big Fix event, to help fund a free spay and neuter program by VRHS. The Big Fix has been exceedingly successful this year. Debbie explained how this program works and that, although we are seeing effects already, it could be some years before the public will be able to tell a great difference. We must continue to support this effort and buy our tickets for the Big Fix whenever we see them for sale. All your donations go straight to the cost of this program.

All of us can make a difference by simply supporting the fund drives put on by the Humane Society and by spaying and neutering our own pets as well as encouraging others to do the same. Male and female dogs should be altered before they are old enough to bring more puppies into the world. The overpopulation of animals has become outrageous in the United States, and we can change that with just a little effort, time or money. Some people who claim to love cats, let their male cats run loose to impregnate stray females bringing even more unwanted animals into the world. We can continue to work hard to save as many discarded pets as possible, but the only real long-lasting solution, I think, is through education, teaching children and adults about the cost of unwanted pets, the expense in money and time caused by the huge over-population of animals.

Unwanted dogs left on their own have to pack up, Debbie said, to stay alive. She said they have to form a pack in order to kill other animals for food. Otherwise they will starve. The problems begin when we, as careless pet owners, allow unwanted puppies and kittens to be born. We can stop that.

Debbie, I thank you for doing so much to help animals, to help us in the community to better understand how we can make a difference. And thanks to all the volunteers at the Valley River Humane Society Shelter in Cherokee County that also serves Clay, Graham, and Swain.

Glenda Beall

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
Land transfer tax-- let the voters decide	1