In response to John DeWispelaere’s Sept. 30 letter, (Animal Shelter: We must work together for animals”). All of us involved with animal rescue are very aware that we have a problem with pet over-population in Snohomish County. What I find interesting is that the Everett shelter which, according to the numbers that John quoted, has the distinction of having more dogs and cats come through its doors each year than any other shelter. Yet, it is the only one that does not spay or neuter all the pets that leave the facility. This is the best way to curb the pet overpopulation, yet the Everett shelter does not make it a requirement for adoption. Yes, it will refund $20 if you do spay-neuter the pet you adopt; but when the cost of a spay can be over $100, more times than not it does not get done. So, there are more puppies and kittens that end up at the shelter each year that have a greater chance of dying than being adopted.
The Everett Shelter and the Everett City Council have been approached by more than one rescue organization in Snohomish County with proposals to make changes in this procedure, yet nothing has changed. Pasados Safe Haven even proposed moving its own spay-neuter clinic to the shelter to perform surgeries on all pets that are adopted, prior to releasing them. They were turned down. Why?
We all have to work together towards the goal that no adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized. If the city of Seattle can do it, then why can’t Everett?
Gold Bar
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