I echo the sentiments of the letter writer [“Pet Issue Missed the Mark,” Jan. 30] who expressed displeasure with the Pets issue [“Animal Magnetism, Jan. 23]. Many in our community are working hard to end the euthanasia of almost 5,000 dogs and cats in Buncombe County every year. What’s needed is more public awareness, and it was disappointing that an issue devoted to companion animals didn’t do more to present the facts and solutions regarding overpopulation.
The county commissioners and City Council have done their part in passing laws that encourage spaying and neutering. We have an excellent low-cost spay-and-neuter clinic, and financial assistance for spaying and neutering is available for those in need. A new shelter is under construction, groups are rescuing and fostering animals and holding adoption days, organizations are devoted to education etc.
But we in the animal community can’t do it alone; it takes a village. The more people are made aware of the problem, the more who will have their animals spayed or neutered and will adopt animals rather than buy them. Sending an average of almost 100 bodies from the shelter to the landfill every week is simply not acceptable. I hope the Mountain Xpress will do more to bring attention to this needless holocaust.
To learn more about what you can do to help, please visit www.helpinganimals.com.
— Stewart David
Asheville
There is a luxury in self-reproach. When we blame ourselves, we feel that no one else has a right to blame us. It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution.
Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891
Making food out of them might be a more sustainable solution than just throwing them away…
or fertilizer…
There must be a middle finger smiley around here somewhere…
Great letter, Stewart.