All animals deserve chance to find a home

Regarding the Harmeleins' letter suggesting the Panhandle Animal Shelter kill the animals that have not been adopted after a three-week period so that other animals may take their space:

Let me tell you about Lady, a happy Border collie mix who has been living in the shelter's kitchen for more than six months. The reason that she is less adoptable than most is clear. Lady is blind. She has the added problem of traumatic times in her past when she has been attacked by other dogs. When you go into the kitchen, you will be met with a wagging tail and an inquisitive nose. Take her for a walk and she perks up and prances around like a puppy.

Should we take her life away so another animal can take her place in the kitchen? Is her life worth less than a puppy waiting to get in? Not to Lady, it isn't. Lady will find a home where she will make a devoted companion, but it will take longer to find the right place.

It is not so clear why the other less adoptable dogs and cats have not found their forever home. Many are young, healthy, loving animals that just have not drawn the luck of the right person finding them yet.

The shelter takes in about 1,200 animals a year. The more that are adopted out, the more that can come in. This depends on the level of volunteers and financial support from our community. It would be great if the shelter were able to take every unwanted animal, but there is not the space or the finances to do it. Thus there is a waiting list. The shelter is not government funded, but a non-profit organization financed by individual contributions.

The answer to the problems of homeless animals will be found when people become more responsible toward their pets. I agree completely with the Harmeleins that spaying and neutering is a big part of the answer. The shelter actively promotes spaying and neutering and every animal adopted out  is always spayed or neutered.

ELIZABETH WILLEY

Sandpoint