Opinion
Taking a look
TBO.com
Published: June 23, 2012
Although not quite everyone agrees, most people accept the notion that when dogs and cats have become elderly and afflicted with chronic, untreatable diseases or disabilities, ending their lives as painlessly as possible is a humane course of action. There is, however, a growing voice of dissent against the practice of euthanizing dogs and cats to prevent severe overcrowding at animal shelters.Published: June 23, 2012
Some of those voices were heard at this week's Pasco County Commission meeting. Animal rights supporters asked commissioners to adopt a "no-kill" policy at the Pasco Animal Services shelter in Land O'Lakes. At no-kill shelters the vast majority of animals brought in — 90 percent is one widely cited goal — are not euthanized. The animal activists also criticized the conditions in part of the county shelter.
Pasco Animal Services has an unenviable job on its hands, trying to deal with constant requests to round up nuisance-causing stray dogs and feral cats and then feed and care for them on a limited budget. Most Pasco residents don't help by having their pets spayed or neutered, contributing to the problem. In addition, like most of the rest of county government, Animal Services has to deal with budgetary restrictions.
After hearing the pleas to adopt a no-kill policy at the Animal Services shelter, commissioners agreed to study the feasibility of the idea. Some of the people asking for the policy say they are willing to volunteer at the shelter to help make it work. That help probably will be needed.