They say that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but I believe that you can. There are so many other counties and entire states that choose not to use carbon monoxide for euthanasia purposes. They use euthanasia by injection (EBI) with sodium pentobarbital. This is the preferred method by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians and the National Animal Control Association. These other counties and states use EBI even for aggressive dogs without regards to price. Money should not be the issue here-just because something is cheaper doesn’t make it right.
Aggressive animals do not only exist in Athens County yet these other counties and states figure out a way to humanely euthanize them. I am yet to hear a very logical reason for the Athens County Dog Shelter to continue using the gas chamber.
On top of that, the policy of adopting out animals who are not spayed or neutered only adds to the problem of euthanasia numbers in Athens County. Although I hear it is in the adoption contract that the animal must be spayed or neutered, everyone knows that people don’t always do it. Where do you think all the unwanted puppies end up? Probably back at the Dog Shelter and eventually euthanized. That costs the shelter money and the life of an animal. You have to stop this. Increase the adoption fee to cover the cost of the spaying and neutering, if that is what it takes. That is something that I believe must be changed-and the sooner the better.
I think the people in charge are afraid of change. We aren’t. And we aren’t going to give up. It may be a long fight but we will not give up until the demands of the people of Athens County are met. It’s not too late to learn a new trick. Change. We just hope that you can embrace this change with us and continue to work with the citizens for a better shelter.
In the words of our president, “We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.” We may not be millions, but we still have a voice, and Yes. We. Can.
