Dear editor:

I would like to thank the Advertiser for bringing attention to the fact that the Chilton County Humane Society desperately needs the community’s support and resources. Volunteers and staff at local pet shelters and rescues are working day in and day out to care for abandoned and neglected animals and help find them loving, forever homes. The state of pet overpopulation in the Clanton area and throughout the country, along with the hard work of local shelter staff and volunteers attempting to care for these needy animals serves to highlight the importance of giving locally when it comes to helping our nation’s homeless pets.

As a former director at the Humane Society of the United States for three years, and with 30-plus years in the sheltering community, I know a common misconception is most national animal groups are umbrella groups for pet shelters and spend most of their resources on helping care for these animals. After all, that is what the commercials full of needy dogs and cats imply. However, HSUS isn’t affiliated with pet shelters and sends just 1 percent of the money to pet shelters, according to its tax return. Local shelters don’t need just money, they could also use supplies like dog or cat food and towels. Whatever animal lovers can give, they should make sure their donations are staying local if they want to help care for pets.

Diana Culp, Humane Society for Shelter Pets director