On Moving and Pets

I am a practicing veterinarian in L.A. and I read with horror and disbelief Sharon Warzochoa’s March 4, 1990, piece on “10 Rules for Living with a ‘For Sale’ Sign.”

I can’t tell you how angry I was to hear her encourage people to sell their pets before selling their homes. Would she also advise selling their children before selling their home?

Even if her piece was written tongue in cheek, I don’t feel she should be recommending this even in jest. Many people get pets, and for unjustified reasons try to get rid of them (moving out of state, selling their house).

Pets aren’t to be given away out of inconvenience to their owners. They have every right to withstand their owners changes in lifestyle. Anyone giving their pet away because they are moving should not have had the pet in the first place. As a rule, I refuse to euthanize a healthy pet for this and any other ridiculous reason many people offer when the pet is “inconvenient” to them. We will find homes for them as some people request. Pet ownership is a privilege, not an inalienable right!

SHEREE STERN

Los Angeles