As a volunteer at the Everett Animal Shelter I look forward to seeing this organization in the news, but the July 11 article, “Shelter’s future cloudy” was annoying. The author criticizes city and county officials for getting into “… a bureaucratic cat fight…” over the future plans for the shelter. In reality, animal care and control is the responsibility of the community.
Our community has passed this responsibility onto resources that are stretched to their limits. This situation is due to actions taken by individuals within our community who do not take responsibility for their animals. Pointing accusing fingers at elected officials, or at the shelter will not solve our animal care and control issues. Community involvement will.
Besides actions, such as spaying and neutering your pet, consider donating time or other resources to local animal organizations. Some of us in Snohomish County have already taken that step. Due to the work of dedicated volunteers (and the hard work of Everett Animal Shelter director Bud Wessman and his staff) the shelter has lowered its euthanasia rates, and continues to raise its adoption rates. Also, a group of volunteers has started a non-profit organization called ARF whose purpose is to improve the lives of animals abandoned at this shelter.
We can continue to improve the quality of animal care in our community, but it will take all of us to make it happen.
Gillian Baldwin
Snohomish
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