The following was sent to Randolph County Commission President David Kesling:

Here we go again. I may be the only one to speak up, but I will do all I can to defend and support these innocent animals and dedicated volunteers that give so much time and heart to helping these animals.

Is it because they are building a cat house? Are you saying they must have money if they can do that? You do know the building was unsalvagable. Two volunteers are building this place. That’s why a year from starting it’s not finished yet.

Is it because dead people leave them money? That’s how they have survived for 25 years. If you get $500,000 and your expenses are $480,000. How do people not do the math? Do they invest and save money for the next day, or years? Of course, wouldn’t you? How are they to keep going?Wouldn’t it be wonderful if someone left them enough or they could save enough to buy land, build a place with runs, so dogs didn’t have to be in a small kennel 24 hours a day, every day?

The shelter is not a program, because programs are being cut or reduced. The shelter is an essential service. Everything costs more now, and there are more cats and dogs now.

This is the great USA. As the Commission, why can’t you put into action what needs to be addressed: putting the responsibility where it lies? Not with the animals and not with the shelter; that is doing above and beyond what is expected. 

There are countries that have taken care of this problem. Here there are so many strays, that we are being duped into believing we must kill them. The old “out of sight, out of mind” game.

Why can’t we be the example county, the beacon, the shining light? European countries solved this years and decades ago. The responsibility and culpability lies with the owners. Healthy and behaviorally sound animals cannot be legally euthanized. Spay and neuter is enforced. Abandonment of a pet is a criminal offense in Italy, up to three years in prison. Annual dog tax is expensive and part of this goes to the shelters.  Owners or prospective owners have to take exams to prove they understand animal behavior and care before they are approved to adopt or buy animal. Owners are liable for everything. 

The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, etc. in essence make owners aware and follow mandates and make them pay. Will it take time? Is it worth it? Of course. Then you have responsible owners and the shelters are manageable and the strays are gone. Strict laws and regulations and strict enforcement.

We should reflect: He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. “We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals”.-Immanuel Kent. Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

The Bible teaches us to be loving stewards of God’s creation. How we treat the creatures under our care is a direct reflection of our own righteousness.

So I hope you rethink this “reduction.” Wouldn’t it be great if you gave more funds to teach our children (school programs) as they grow, on their responsibilities and how to take care of animals. The next generation would be more informed and responsible.

You can share this with Mr. Siler if you care to. I will not email him, because he made it known a few years ago when he wanted to defund the shelter completely. I know where he stands and what his model of a shelter is. Out of sight, out of mind. They go in, but don’t come out again.

I will be sharing this email where I think it will do the most good.

Thank you for your time and consideration.