Yes

by Anthony Megna

Created on: August 29, 2008   Last Updated: May 15, 2012

Logic dictates that the more pets spayed and/or neutered, the less births there will be. Also, there will be less unwanted animals wandering around our cities. Right now, there are just too many animals that don't have a home. This is not some "bleeding heart" theory, it's a fact. Why does the newspaper carry pictures of animals that need a home every week? But there is something caring people can do right now about it....

There is no question that this country has an animal over-population problem. I have met people who run spaying and neutering clinics who have a hard time keeping up with the demand to neuter. It really is a dog-gone shame, no pun intended....

My wife and I got our dog from a shelter, and even to walk into a shelter can break your heart. My wife cried the entire time and wanted to bring all the animals home. She can't go there anymore, it is just too stressful. I feel the same way, but we got our dog and brought it home. Now, we donate as much as we can to this shelter because they do such good work, and boy it is tough to work there. But it doesn't have to be this way.

There are thousands and thousands of animals being put down each week because of over-population. There just aren't enough people to take care of all these animals and a different solution is required. It is plain to see that spaying would prevent an awful lot of suffering. These animals don't deserve to be locked up in a cage like this. It just rips my heart out to see this. We need to do more to stop this!

To solve this problem requires a multiple effort. Education is a huge part of the problem. Any way to get the word out to people that neutering your animal is so important is one way. Unless there are specific reasons to breed your pet, why create unwanted animals? It just doesn't make sense. I think it should be required for everyone to go to a shelter to see what the end result is of so many unwanted animals. It could be like a "scared straight" program. Just like jury duty is mandatory, some sort of program for schools, like a field trip should be required. The problem is too important to be ignored.

Animals are thinking, intelligent beings that feel emotions like love and hate. They know when they aren't wanted, and they light up like Christmas trees when they are rescued. It is just an unbelievable experience to rescue an animal from a shelter. They know they are going to a home to be loved and taken care of and to be out of a cage. They are doing everything they can to save these animals. I defy anyone with a heart to work at a shelter and see if you don't come home crying everyday. These people are heroes and they deserve the utmost respect for what they do. It is a tough, tough job to work at a shelter.

But again, the over-population problem can be attacked successfully with education, spaying and neutering, and donations to your local animal shelter. We need to ramp up our efforts to eliminate this severe problem, NOW, not someone hazy time in the future. Check out your local shelter and see what they need for a start. Money isn't always the answer. They need newspapers, cleaning products, dog and cat treats etc. It can't hurt to do this if you care.

Maybe a grassroots effort is what it takes to solve this problem. Everyone has to put the animal over-population issue on their radar screens and do something, no matter how little, to help. Not only will you feel better, the animals will thank you....

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