Animal Charity is helping

Animal Charity is helping

EDITOR:

In response to the March 30 letter, “Who helps neglected dogs?” the answer is, Animal Charity does. We have for the past 44 years, and we will continue to do so. Animal Charity responded to calls regarding the house on Fernwood Avenue. Our humane agent has been there four times. Each time he found that the dogs had food, water and shelter. He did not find excessive amounts of fecal matter on the property or in the garage. We are currently working with the owner in order to get the dogs veterinary care. One dog did pass away, but not from starvation. It was lying at the curb waiting to be picked up by a licensed animal removal company for a communal burial (it was not being picked up by local waste management).

As chief executive officer of Animal Charity, I would love for the community to be aware of all the good things that we do for the community. Animal Charity does not receive money from the county, state or federal government. We rely on our own sources of funding and on the generosity of donations received.

These donations allow us to operate several divisions. All of these divisions exist to aid in the fight against animal suffering.

Animal Charity is the only active humane department in the county. All animal cruelty calls must come to Animal Charity, (330) 788-1064. If we do not receive a call then we do not know that there is an animal in need. We investigate cruelty to animals. We rescue many animals that have been abused, neglected or abandoned. However, we must do our job in accordance with the law. We receive over 100 calls per week. We work diligently with one full- time agent, one part-time assistant and one vehicle to respond to all of them. But, we do it one call at a time.

Animal Charity also solves wildlife problems that no other organization in this area can handle. We try to unite all lost pets with their owners, and we provide and encourage the use of the microchip system.

Animal Charity offers free educational programs to local schools and organizations on a wide variety of subjects. Our full service clinic provides quality care for your pet at affordable prices while focusing on the importance of spaying and neutering. We offer a full service wellness clinic. We educate our clients on the importance of proper pet care (vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, heartworm prevention and more).

So the next time you want to criticize Animal Charity or assume that Animal Charity is not doing the job the humane society should, please take a moment and think about what we are doing, because we are making a difference one neglected animal at a time.

NIKOLE OWEN

Chief Executive Officer

Animal Charity

Youngstown

MCJBL secret: Every kid plays and good people work hard

EDITOR:

Last Sunday’s front page story, “Two groups pitch in to revive baseball in the city” really got to me. Especially since the Mill Creek Junior Baseball League has been in the city for over 54 years. My father, Red Kramer, was one of its founders.

We have been a non-residential league since the beginning, meaning anyone, from anywhere can play. Although we are not free, we have the lowest registration in the area.

Some of the reasons we are viable and others have failed are a dedicated core of volunteers who have given countless hours of work to maintain the fields and provide a place not only West Siders could enjoy, but anyone within driving distance.

For over 54 years we have given thousands of kids a place to learn the game. The parents don’t always like the field and concession stand duties but most understand that without their help we would fail. We have families, single parents and grandparents who bring the kids and help wherever they can. It’s not easy and many times the bulk of the work falls on a few. My husband goes every day during the season.

Who knows what the future holds or how long we can keep my father’s dream of a place where any child can and does play. No one sits the bench. Mr. Morales knows first hand how our league works and why it works. His children played there.

One of the reasons we succeed and others fail is we are not a sanctioned Little League. We play by different rules, which we feel are fairer to all children. Every child plays three innings, no matter how good or bad. We may not qualify for the Little League World Series, but all of our kids play and learn and have fun.

It’s a wonderful thing Mr. Morales is trying to do, and we hope he succeeds. But we feel The Vindicator sells us short when it says say we are viable because of where we are located. We are not part of Mill Creek Park and we have never received any funding from them or the city. We are viable because of good people and hard work.

JANET HELSEL

Youngstown

X The writer is the wife of the president of the MCJBL.

Retirees, time to step aside

EDITOR;

It’s no wonder our counties are losing population when they don’t hire our own young people.

Youngstown State University turns out top-notch graduates only to see them leave the Valley for employment. When older workers retire, let them be retired. Hire our young people.

C.J. ANDRE

New Middletown