Print this story | E-mail story | Add a comment | iPod friendly | Bookmark this What is this?

It is better to be sure

The Clanton Advertiser staff

Published Thursday, May 28, 2009

Speak Up

The Clanton Advertiser encourages you
to share your opinion on this or any other
topic. Submit your letter to the editor
to The Advertiser by:

•Fax: (205) 755-5857
•Mail: P.O. Box 1379
Clanton, AL, 35046
•In person: 1109 7th Street North, Clanton.
•Or click here

All letters must be signed by the author and
indicate a telephone number and address
for verification purposes. The length of the letter
must be no longer than 300 words. We reserve
the right to edit submitted information
for grammar and known factual mistakes.

For more information call 755-5747.

The Chilton County Humane Society has long required those who adopt animals from its Clanton shelter to have the animals spayed or neutered, but there was really no way to enforce this regulation. Now there is, however.

The humane society is now taking the initiative to have all animals spayed or neutered before they are adopted. They are doing this by partnering with Alabama Spay/Neuter Clinic, a nonprofit group based in Irondale.

Once or twice each month, Alabama Spay/Neuter provides transport from Clanton to its clinic. The animals are normally returned within just a day of the procedure.

The shelter is starting an adoption room on its premises in which customers can view animals that are ready for adoption. People may also select an unaltered cat or dog at the shelter, but there will be a short waiting period for the procedure to be performed on the animal.

Shelter Director Joe Murphy said several major shelters around the state have adopted similar policies. He said there is simply no way to ensure that those who adopt animals will take the responsibility to get them spayed or neutered.

We agree with this policy. While it may seem a little extreme to those who are not used to it, the policy is a sure one. And there’s no room for doubt when you have so many homeless animals wandering the community, largely because people will not take the responsibility to provide proper care for their pets.

While this policy will not end the animal overpopulation problem, we hope it will put a dent in it.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?