[ SHOWGSD-L ] Sample overpopulation letter
- From: "RivendellP" <rivendellp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Showgsd-l" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 18 May 2005 11:42:47 -0700
This is a sample letter I have written I feel can be sent to city councils,
etc. I will try and have this posted to the PClub web site for access when
needed.
Paul
(Sample overpopulation letter)
Dear Councilman...etc.
I am writing to address your proposed ordinance.
This subject has been very important to me for years. I have tried to educate
myself and then take that education to formulate a solution that is
commonsensical and will work.
Actually, we have made great headway in dealing with this situation. There are
municipal animal facilities all over the country that are importing dogs and
cats for adoption. These areas have found the greatest success in educating
their citizenry while at the same time adopting a reasonable approach to any
concern with unwanted or abandoned pets.
It depends on a given area, but it can be said that over 50% of any problem is
due to the feral cat population. Organizations such as the Cat Fanciers
Association can be very helpful by tapping into their expertise. An aggressive
spay and neuter program will also work to solving the problem with incentives
for local citizens to comply. In some areas there are also foundations that
will contribute to local Veterinarians to work with feral cats.
80% of dogs in shelters are not purebred. Of the 20% that are, Breed Specific
Rescue Groups have had excellent success in foster and adoption. Sadly, there
is a cross section of dogs in shelters that are unadoptable due to age,
infirmity, or poor temperament, but there are Shelter programs to deal with the
un-pedigreed dogs that are quite successful if they are done right. There are
many shelters across the country that will work with your shelter to emulate
that success.
Rarely has legislation worked to address this problem. Many local governments
that have tried such a solution have found them to be counterproductive and
punitive. People simply stop licensing their dogs and slip under the radar.
These are the same scofflaws that don't obey existing leash laws either.
Consequentially, when fees are reduced, so is the effectiveness of the Animal
Control Agency. Some municipalities have actually had to lay off Animal Control
Officers and after rescinding an ill advised ordinance, has taken years to get
back to square one.
However, if you educate the children of these irresponsible pet owners, you
will find it has an impact on behavior and the number of unwanted or unkempt
animals in an area reduced exponentially. This can be done through the local
School Boards and groups of volunteers found in the local animal community.
Such programs and efforts have had excellent success with the Phoenix AZ school
system a shining example.
Rather than to pass legislation that could cause an exacerbation of the
problem, I urge you to take such a "common sense" approach I have mentioned. If
you also tap into the local animal experts in your city, it will be a true
"community group effort" without acrimony, malice, and the problem will be
solved.
Please consider these suggestions in your deliberation.
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