Shelter workers who deal daily with abandoned animals, many of whom will be euthanized, believe the situation is so critical, and the numbers of animals killed so appalling, that legislation putting a stop to pet reproduction is necessary.
”Our official position is that we`re against breeding,” said Rose Bak of the West Suburban Humane Society in Downers Grove.
Shelter administrators refute breeders` claims that purebred animals do not contribute to the problem of overpopulation. Bak said the shelter gets many purebred animals.
”It`s not that breeders are evil, but with so many animals, there is no way we can condone any breeding,” Bak said.
Dianne Brink of Lisle, a volunteer at the West Suburban facility, takes in litters of kittens for temporary care until they`re old enough to live at the shelter.
”I would love to see legislation restricting breeding. Even though enforcement is always a problem, some people will abide by it and that will cut down on animal suffering. I don`t approve of any kind of breeding, purebred or not.”
Shelter workers also say that every time a person chooses a purebred pet from a breeder, that means one more miserable stray in a shelter won`t be adopted and its future is death.
Upsetting to Brink, as to other shelter workers, is the casual attitudes of people toward their pets. Shelter workers see people abandoning pets for reasons of inconvenience, such as a move or vacation, no time to train the animal or even because the pet hair doesn`t match the carpet.
Financial reasons also play a part. People who buy a pet on impulse may not realize that owning a pet is a substantial commitment of time and money. Routine preventive medical care can amount to more than $50 per year; then there are food and training expenses, and if the animal gets sick, more bills. Boarding an animal during a vacation can also be costly.
”In March, a beautiful fox terrier was abandoned at our shelter in an open wicker basket during rush hour. We`re on a busy street, so of course he got hit by a car before the shelter opened,” said Brink.
”Maybe if some pets became an endangered species, people would take better care of them.”
