Dec 20, 2017 2 min read

I was disappointed to see North Strabane’s township supervisors refused the Washington Area Humane Society’s request for funding.

With over 50 percent of households in America owning pets, animal care is big business. Just walk through your local pet store, and you will see happy owners spending big bucks on their furry friends. But if those friends fall out of favor, or are abandoned or abused, who cares for them? Where does the funding for their most basic medical care and shelter come from? Where can compassionate taxpayers turn?

History tells us in Washington County it certainly is not our politicians. While they always seem to “support the cause,” there are a million excuses why they cannot help shoulder this huge burden. That burden falls to underfunded charitable organizations, such as Washington Area Humane Society, who are often criticized for not doing enough.

If the Humane Society gave up and decided to stop paying the salary of a humane officer, or closed its doors for good, where would the responsibility for these services fall? Would our local police be forced to become humane officers? Would every township be forced to start building their own kennels to house animals for a lawful period before disposing of them as though they are garbage? Or, does it make sense to support and encourage the one centralized facility that does exist?

As the famous saying goes, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” It’s time to get off the fence and start supporting the nonprofit animal groups that your compassionate taxpayers and voters turn to.

Michelle Bruce

Venetia

Bruce is the president of Fix ‘ur Cat, an organization that encourages the spaying and neutering of cats.