Too many litters, too many pets


Published on Thursday, November 12, 2009 8:47 PM AKST

To the editor:

“You will get pregnant and raise the kids for my amusement. Oh, by the way, other kind-hearted people will be sucked into finishing the process.” That is essentially what happens time and time again in this country.

I don’t think it’s amusing, cute or funny. And I will guarantee that the female dog giving that short-lived joy to some desperately lonely person would rather not be a puppy mill.

Recently, a pup was brought into our local rescue group. That organization and I are now helping to raise and place the little girl. Don’t get my message wrong. Surrendering an unwanted cat or dog is always the best thing to do.

Careless or inconsiderate owners should do time in an animal control shelter. Those creatures will try any way they can to get at you for attention. Recently, I was visiting the Mat-Su animal control facility when a dog jumped up on the side of the enclosure and wrapped its paws tightly around my arm. Another was trying to reach me from under the door.

Sure, there are situations when we must be separated from our loved ones, but use a kill shelter as a last resort.

Don’t allow your pets to get pregnant for your own pleasure. Foster or adopt one if you need a cheap thrill.  

Please spay or neuter your pets. Contrary to popular myth, pets do not need to have sex or litters for any reason. This letter is the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of any group. Thank you Frontiersman for the opportunity to voice my opinion.

Bill Zeddies

Big Lake

Comments

9 comment(s)

    Good Letter but wrote on Nov 18, 2009 5:18 PM:

    " There are NO SUCH THING AS NO KILL SHELTERS!!!! "No Kill shelters" are only that because they don't accept the ones that should, need or might be euthanized. Our local shelter and other groups such as AKD&P are great resources, other than Craig's list because the animals get the basic vaccinations all animals need and very few people consider or "can't afford" to get. Also, part of spaying and neutering animals is keeping them in your own yard. Even if "Fluffy" isn't fixed, she can't visit "Rex" next door or get hit by that truck... "

    Chris wrote on Nov 17, 2009 9:48 AM:

    " Hi, all you animal lovers!
    Please ask ten friends too
    The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily so they can meet their quota of getting FREE FOOD donated every day to abused and neglected animals. It takes less than a minute (about 15 seconds) to go to their site and click on the purple box 'fund food for animals for free'.

    This doesn't cost you a thing!!!

    Here's the web site! Please pass it along to people you know.

    theanimalrescuesite.com "

    dog lover wrote on Nov 16, 2009 4:29 PM:

    " if you cannot afford the basic responsiblities of owning a pet, then maybe you should reconsider getting a one. if the pet gets sick and it costs a couple hundred dollars, do you just send the pet to animal control, now that's real love.... as the saying goes, "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself". can you say that about the people you know? "

    Grdnbug wrote on Nov 14, 2009 5:08 PM:

    " Maybe if the vetenarians in the valley werent so worried about getting rich fast and lowered there spay and neuter fees or maybe the SPCA brought back there spay and neuter clinic people could afford to get there cats and dogs fixed. I got a friends of pets coupon for my male cat, the vetenarians in this valley still wanted over a $100 to get him fixed. This is a major part of this problem, especially with tough times like now. "

    Alaska Dog News wrote on Nov 14, 2009 1:20 PM:

    " And I agree that time in a shelter will change your way of thinking. Fortunatly we have about 100 Mat-Su volunteers, many kids who will develop a responsible attitude about owning pets. I've raised competition Labradors since 1985 and had one litter. I'm all for well bred dogs, pre-sold to good homes but decided to adopt ... ultimatly three unwanted dogs. They honestly give me the same joy & pride as my competition dogs. "

    Alaska Dog News wrote on Nov 14, 2009 1:11 PM:

    " The longer I put out Alaska Dog News the more I admire the people who run rescues and man our shelters. I cannot believe how naive I was 20 issues ago. I've developed opinions so strong that seeing conditions I see as wrong, makes me physically ill. I understand this is common with a lot of people who deal with child and animal neglect and abuse over time. The problem is that the people who need to make changes do not see or feel the need. Its just an animal (product, tool, yard ornament). Preaching will not help. "

    Monika wrote on Nov 13, 2009 10:21 PM:

    " I would encourage folks to take a walk through our local animal shelter sometime, even if they're not looking to adopt. It's a good reminder of the many unwanted animals that desperatly need homes in our community.

    While many puppies and kittens do find homes, a lot of animals end up in a shelter later on when folks realize that they bit of more than they could chew when it comes to training an animal or financially caring for it. Food for thought as the "gift giving" season approaches! "

    John Harkey wrote on Nov 13, 2009 11:15 AM:

    " Absolutely Bill, thanks for the letter. With the Holiday approaching one will see more animals enter shelters and dropped on the side of the road. WE cherished the companionship of the 10 animals that passed through the past 36 years, 6 came to us off the streets, 3 from shelters and one chosen by us at birth. We have never had a pet born in our house, they do not need to breed! Please do not consider pets a gift unless those receiving are prepared to take a lifetime of responsibility. "

    Thanks Bill.... wrote on Nov 13, 2009 6:46 AM:

    " Like Bob Barker always said: absolutely spay and neuter...

    if animal owners can't meet their responsibliity AND obligation for the entire LIFE of the animal(s) then don't take the animal. They are not XMAS presents to be opened and then thrown out in 6 months when they're not cute kittens or puppies anymore.

    And to those jerk mushers that build a 300 dog gene pool to create and select their 16 dog "A" TEAM from to run the 1000 miles (SO WHAT!) ==> STOP DUMPING YOUR OTHER 284 DOGS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS!!!! "

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