Companion Animals

I would like to inform readers of a recent seminar of animal shelter and humane organizations working to both control overpopulation of homeless animals through spaying and neutering, and to end euthanasia of companion animals through adoption, fostering, etc. Interested people call it “no-kill” and support stopping the killing of these animals in all but exceptional situations.

Before that can happen, however, others in humane societies, rescue groups and animal fostering, kenneling, regulation and control need to come together in a spirit of loving kindness and cooperation to work for this goal. The message that no-kill actually works has been repeatedly demonstrated. It costs more to support a euthanasia program than a program to adopt or foster these animals. All taxpayers should take notice.

The Los Angeles Times Ventura County Edition has done a fine job in supporting humane animal interests but could further widen public interest in the no-kill movement if it would begin to publish weekly or monthly stats on the number of animals taken in at Animal Regulation or the Humane Societies, including facts on how they arrived, the number returned to owners, the number adopted out and the number euthanized.

All organizations in Ventura County could then start working together to stop the killing and enlist the public for help and ideas.

Surely in an enlightened society, it is barbaric to kill companion animals who have been faithful to humans for more than 140,000 years, who are so vulnerable and who ask nothing but for someone to love and care for them.

MARGUERITE WILKE, Ventura