Readers React: The thankless, tough job of working in an animal shelter

To the editor: It’s easy to point fingers but harder to solve the crisis that animal shelters across the country face. Most are filled to the brim because people aren’t spaying or neutering their animals or making lifetime commitments to them. (“L.A. County officials order probe of conditions at animal shelters,” Aug. 18)

Working in a shelter caring for the animals nobody wanted is a tough, thankless job. We can all help by donating funds, volunteering and doing our part to slow the stream of homeless animals.

That means spaying or neutering and adopting animals instead of buying them from breeders or stores.

Angela Henderson, North Hollywood

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To the editor: About 10 years ago I visited the Los Angeles County animal shelter in Baldwin Park to adopt a dog. I lasted only a few minutes before the overwhelming stench of feces forced me to flee.

I see that the same problem still exists.

How can people be expected to come in and look for a new pet under the conditions shown in photos taken at the county shelter in Downey?

I think having these facilities cleaned by nonviolent offenders assigned to community service could solve the funding problem and allow the workers to gain a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem.

Until the stench problem is solved, workers and visitors should be provided with protection similar to gas masks so they can work and visit with the dogs comfortably.

Marianne Friedman, Alhambra

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