THE HERALD   EVERETT, WASHINGTON
HeraldNet on Facebook HeraldNet on Twitter HeraldNet RSS feeds HeraldNet Pinterest HeraldNet Google Plus HeraldNet Youtube
  Newsletters: Sign up | Manage subscriptions
Published: Sunday, February 6, 2005, 12:01 a.m.

Shelters have same dogs for less

Sign up for HeraldNet Headlines
I could almost feel the collective cringe from Snohomish County animal welfare organizations after reading the article about a new trend in dog breeds in "Designer Doggies" (Jan. 25). When particular breeds become hip and trendy, shelters are burdened with the overflow of dogs that didn't quite live up to their inflated images. There were collies when Lassie was famous then dalmatians after the Disney movies were released. People rushed to get these dogs because they were portrayed as dependable or cute without the owner doing adequate research into the reality of sharing their lives with a dog.

We in the animal welfare community continue to ask why humans insist on creating more dogs, and now specialized mixed breeds, when there are so many homeless dogs in our community desperately waiting for homes. In 2003, more than 5,000 dogs and puppies ended up in shelters in Lynnwood and Everett alone.

But, I could also hear the collective chuckle from local animal organizations regarding these designer dogs. Mixed breeds are not a new idea (however, charging $2,500 for them is). Shelters have had these beautiful, even-tempered, unique animals available for adoption for years. If you stop by PAWS today, you may just find the labraherd, chowsset hound or German long-hairs water sperrier you've been looking for. In addition, if you adopt your next friend from PAWS, we guarantee you'll save at least a couple thousand dollars on the adoption fee.

TAVA BESS

Progressive Animal Welfare Society

Lynnwood

Comments

Herald Editorial Board

Peter Jackson, Opinion Editor: pjackson@heraldnet.com (@PeterJHerald)

Carol MacPherson, Editorial Writer: cmacpherson@heraldnet.com

Josh O'Connor, Publisher: joconnor@heraldnet.com

Have your say

Feel strongly about something? Share it with the community by writing a letter to the editor. Send letters by e-mail to letters@heraldnet.com, by fax to 425-339-3458 or mail to The Herald - Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We'll only publish your name and hometown.) We reserve the right to edit letters, but if you keep yours to 250 words or less, we won’t ask you to shorten it. If your letter is published, please wait 30 days before submitting another. Have a question about letters? Contact Carol MacPherson at cmacpherson@heraldnet.com or 425-339-3472.

HeraldNet highlights

After the bridge fell
After the bridge fell: Photo gallery: Rescue efforts after the I-5 bridge collapse
Feed hungry kids
Feed hungry kids: Where to take young ones without breaking the bank
'Fast & Furious 6'
'Fast & Furious 6': Fans of crazy car chases won't be disappointed
Pages for the history books
Pages for the history books: Diane Janes has been collecting tribal photos for years