Critics of Angels for Animals should donate time, money

Critics of Angels for Animalsshould donate time, money
EDITOR:
In response to the Jan. 22 letter from a writer who feels that Angels for Animals should try to house and find homes for the dogs being destroyed in Columbiana County.
This facility was built with the focus being on changing the future through educating people in our society of the necessity of spaying and neutering, providing programs and running a shelter. The recent articles and photos of gassing dogs sickened me as well. Unfortunately, there are not enough homes for all of the abandoned and unwanted dogs and cats. They all deserve to be in loving homes, and in a perfect world they would be. However, the perfect world doesn't exist, and I would much rather see these poor animals euthanized than wandering around sick and suffering with no food or shelter, as many of them are.
In 2003, Angels for Animals averaged 11 cats per day dumped with only two per day being adopted. Right now, besides the cats at the shelter, there are 150 in foster care until space is available for them. Do the math, and you will see it is impossible to shelter them all. Volunteers are sometimes in very short supply. For a time, there was but one 70-year-old woman caring for all the cats at Angels on Wednesday mornings, as they had no other volunteers for that day and time. Where does the money come from? Donations and the hard work of those who participate in the fund-raising projects.
In addition to the animals that are dumped in the drop-off to be found each morning, are the numerous calls from people who, for whatever reason, don't want the pets they have anymore and think Angels should find homes for them. What about all the ads in the papers and the notes plastered on the bulletin boards everywhere from the vet's office to grocery stores for free kittens and puppies or no longer wanted older pets? More homes to find. Perhaps the writer, before criticizing Angels, should spend the day there to see what goes on, or better yet, volunteer time and money to this difficult task.
Yes, we must educate the ignorant people in this society who view animals as throwaway, less than human objects. These animals cannot spay and neuter themselves. They feel pain, hunger, thirst and the elements just as we do. They get old and sick, just as we do. How do you educate the people on spaying and neutering who think it is acceptable to tie a dog out in subzero weather with no shelter, or in the hot sun with no shade or water. It is a monumental task.
I would like to publicly acknowledge the hard work done by Diane-Less Baird, and all those who volunteer for Angels in any capacity to help these wonderful animals. I would also like to thank Tony and Mary Lariccia for their very generous donations, as well as all donors, large or small, to this very worthy cause.
SHERRY ROSS
Boardman
Congress will reveal its handin how it acts on Brady Bill
EDITOR:
You don't have to be a criminal investigator to understand why the FBI says that weakening the Brady Bill will hurt law enforcement efforts.
Currently, the Brady Bill requires gun dealers to retain records of gun sales for 90 days. The gun lobby wants to change it to one day.
So, if the Brady Bill is weakened, a gun would have to be used in a crime within 24 hours of being purchased AND the police would have to find the gun used in the crime and trace it to the gun dealer during the same time period. How often will that happen?
Seems like 90 days is a more reasonable amount of time to retain records of gun purchases. Now the question is: Will Congress side with the gun lobby or put law enforcement first?
GARY SEXTON
Youngstown