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Friday, August 22, 2003 Who will protect helpless animals? As Monroe County's human population has doubled over the past two decades or so, presumably, has it's pet population. Alas, despite people's love of pets - even multiple pets - one of the spin-off effects of more people and more pets is more abandoned or mistreated animals. The Monroe Animal League deserves support for its effort to intervene on these animals' behalf. League President Nancy Jones points out that only volunteers currently do this work. The county's dog warden serves other counties besides our own and focuses on licensing, kennel inspections, dog bite reports and the like. The local SPCA provides a shelter for unwanted animals and investigates cruelty cases. But no one advocates fulltime for the rising number of injured, lost or abandoned pets of all kinds. It's true that several animal rescue organizations have formed in recent years, but most have little or no formal training, nor do they have sufficient equipment to meet the community's needs. League members are circulating a petition that asks the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to provide a second animal control officer to work in Monroe County specifically to assist injured or unwanted animals. It also asks county commissioners to establish a county-based animal control agency whose role would be to address humanely injured, distressed or abandoned animals. Either entity would help address this problem. Signatures will help the league demonstrate to public officials the level of support that exists for animals here. League members plan to begin collecting signatures next week at the West End Fair, where they have a booth. When the fair closes, they will place petitions at local businesses. They encourage would-be signatures to call (570) 476-8444 to find out the locations of petitions. League members focus on improving animal welfare and providing education on the humane treatment of animals. They also help pet owners who cannot afford to have their pets spayed or neutered and provide what care they can for injured animals. They are familiar with the scope of the problem. Animal advocates should take this opportunity to support the league's proposals. Even in a budget crunch, our government should acknowledge the existence of this growing problem and address it. A society that can afford a beautiful new performing arts center should also find the funds to show compassion for animals that are unable to care for themselves. Return to Press |
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