Animals

I love animals. I know, I know, you already knew this about me. But, did you know that I work full time, I am working on my Masters, and I volunteer for a rescue? I love helping out at the rescue, it is wonderful and gives the heart a warm fuzzy feeling.
Now, if you know me, you know that I am partial to law and politics when I write, with a tendency to lean towards current events. So how do these two come together? Give me a minute, I am getting there. Stay with me...
I have had some people who are clearly on the right get on me about my support of animal related causes, one even telling me that I should focus more energy on causes for kids. I support many causes for kids. I fund raise for MDA every year, and I save box tops even though I have no kids in school. However, time and time again I see these same people let their animals reproduce. Sometimes multiple times. These are the people who will share a story on Facebook about the deficit, then post about the litter their pet just had. Some may hunt and think the animals are "needed." Whatever their well intended reason may be, I think they are not using their heads.
If you are one that is screaming from the rooftops about the deficit, let me ask you: Is your pet fixed? As cute as your kittens and puppies might be, chances are some of them will end up at the shelter. The county shelters are usually supported by tax dollars. So, the upkeep and administration costs of the county pound are supported by our taxes. Let me take this a bit further...
The officers who respond to calls about abused and abandoned animals are paid from tax dollars. The vehicles they drive are supported by tax dollars. The facility is supported by tax dollars. The minimum wage salaries most workers are paid are supported by tax dollars. Who feeds the animals while they are there? You guessed it!
Now I am by no means suggesting that we do away with animal control-it is a necessary service. I do hope that days comes though. The rescue that I volunteer with is strapped right now. We are operating on a shoestring budget, and getting in more dogs faster then we can adopt out what we already have. I can imagine the county pound is no different. It takes money for medical, food, and shelter when an animal is abandoned. It even takes money to put an animal down.
If everyone who reads this blog would simply spay & neuter their pets, think of the savings! Maybe we need fewer officers to pick up abandoned or abused animals eventually. Maybe each county shelter could take ONE truck off of the road. Maybe, just maybe, the shelter would not be strapped for cash and over-crowded. And the best part of all, maybe our furry four legged friends would enjoy the quality of life that they deserve. They give so much to us, is it too much to ask for us to take care of them properly?
Warm fuzzies AND saving money-what could be better?