It was very disturbing to read Lori Clinch’s column, “Grandma Flunks the Test for Telling Gender” and see the matter of animal overpopulation taken so lightly.
Last year over 50,000 domestic cats and dogs were euthanized in New Jersey because there were no homes for them.
With such an alarmingly high number of animals being killed every year in shelters, it seems both irresponsible and unfortunate that such an article would be printed without proper education to follow.
The reality is that well intentioned people contribute to animal overpopulation every day and as a result, shelter animals die. Allowing the birth of puppies and kittens takes away much-needed homes for animals in shelters.
If a person undertakes the responsibility and commitment of a companion animal, they need to do the truly compassionate thing and have them spayed or neutered.
Examinations should be completed by a certified veterinarian to determine gender and administration of vaccinations and other medical needs.
By being responsible and taking animals to the proper medical providers, individuals can ensure a healthy and happy life for them. If information is needed on low-cost spay/neuter, please visit New Jersey Animal Rights Alliance’s Internet Web site www.nj-ara.org/catdog.html.
NJARA hopes that all 21 of the kittens born to the Clinch family find loving caring homes. We also hope that 21 animals in the area’s shelter find homes as well and not meet the same fate as the 50,000 animals in 2005.
Lisa Young
New Jersey
Animal Rights Alliance
Englishtown