Pet theft is animal cruelty
Kudos for references in your June/July edition to animal theft. Friends and I encountered a tiny dog sitting, terrified, in the middle of a busy street near Old Town. We picked up Q-Tip, as we nicknamed him, and set about finding his owner, a not easy task since he had no tags or micro-chip. Long story short, he had disappeared from his own yard—miles away—less than an hour before we found him. He was stolen and either escaped or was dumped!
There are people who will snatch an animal for profit or for the sheer “joy” of being cruel. How much crueler can it get than to break a little girl’s heart (Q-Tip was given to her for her birthday) and leave a dog to be hit by a car or die of hunger? I have been told by reliable sources that purebreds are often stolen and taken to Mexico to be sold or, if unneutered, used for breeding, with the problem particularly problematic during Balloon Fiesta as thousands of people visit and leave, perhaps with someone else’s dog. Micro-chipping, tattoos, locked gates, never leaving an animal unattended, especially near public places, are fundamental.
Anything that shows that the public demands a higher standard for how animals are treated by owners, sale barns, and even slaughter houses is an important first step, and must include nothing less than felony penalties, if for no other reason than to encourage law enforcement to view these occurrences as the criminal behavior they are.
Kathleene Parker
Rio Rancho
Why no adoption ads or events?
First, let me thank Cricket Mara for shining a spotlight on the homeless dogs that were being housed at a local kennel [Letters, June/July]. I have often wondered why we don’t see more (or any) in the way of advertisements of dogs available for adoption. In the article on Second Chance [Happy Tails, June/July], Nancy Baumgardner noted that each foster dog she has brought to the store has been adopted — well duh! The dogs have to be seen or advertised somehow, not just hidden away in foster care.
I haven’t heard of an adoption event being held in Corrales to showcase available pets, nor mention of where they can be seen at any other event. Where is their presence at the farmer’s market? Surely they could have a booth (maybe free of charge) with information on the dogs available. Or what about some flyers around town?
I have heard a rumor (and I hope it is wrong) that at least one of the local rescues does euthanize a dog that has been with them for a while. If we are a no-kill community, how is that possible?
The no-kill movement was started (mostly) by Best Friends Animal Society as the “no more homeless pets” concept, and considered idealistic and unrealistic; but it is spreading and it has made a difference. People still need to be educated, and local spay/neuter ordinances enacted — no more backyard breeders trying to make money off an animal that should be a pet, not a product. Make a breeder pay for the privilege, and meet standards of care for the animals, at the very least. Let’s truly make Corrales a no-kill community by making sure every pet that deserves a home, has a home.
Sandra DaPrato
Corrales