Animal control shelters no remedy for overpopulation problem

Never has anyone lived that had more devotion and a sense of responsibility towards domestic animals than I or my wife. Our own companion pets have come from the street, animal control facilities, feral, abandons or otherwise found themselves unwanted. We are huge advocates of a need that the public become aware and act properly when it comes to the care and control of domestic pets.

Mat-Su voters have clearly told the Borough Assembly that they do not approve of more tax dollars being spent to build a new shelter, yet there will be a new shelter. While I do not necessarily approve of the Assembly arbitrarily vetoing of their constituents’ decisions, I agree that something needs to be done.

Can you remember when years ago tobacco advertisements were all over the TV and radio stating verbatim, “Lucky Strike means fine tobacco, nine out of 10 doctors that smoke recommend Lucky Strike, good for the taste zone.” Of course smoking was later determined to not be a healthy habit. States rose up and sued tobacco companies for smokers resulting in states accepting huge cash settlements for these adversely affected smokers, yet little of the money was allocated for the care of the smoker on whose behalf the suits were filed. Lawmakers made arbitrary decisions to use tobacco settlements for education against the use of tobacco, not as a settlement for many affected.

Let me explain how I connect these two and what is similar: smoking, and health issues thereof, were also a matter of lack of education and ignorance. Has public education/awareness resulted in success for the smoking campaign?

Animals that end up at the shelter are often a result of the ignorance of people, the desire (or lack of concern) to breed animals, which later become feral or in the local animal control facility. The only way we will win this war is through education, to pass legislation that will require all domestic household animals sold privately or commercially be spayed and neutered; that only properly licensed breeders are allowed to breed.

Money should be allocated to educate the public that pet ownership is a responsibility, not a privilege. Would the result of such actions eliminate the need for the $5 million animals-waiting-on-death-row storage facility?

It is sad, yet true, that all feral animals need to be rounded up in an effort to prevent further population and the numbers of breeding animals need to be reduced; ignorant people need to learn how breeding animals in your home is not good wholesome family fun and frankly, is no longer acceptable. The result of much breeding is the delivery of misery to helpless domestic animals at a high cost to them and the community.

We are told that smokers’ education programs have been a success. We see the ads all the time, and thus they must be working, or money is being wasted. If it is working why do leaders not see merit in similar educational programs and why is this “breeding” animal abuse allowed to continue? Isn’t there a better way or is it once again, too little, presented too late?

The fact is in, we can spend one billion dollars on animal control facilities, but only public education will truly make a difference. Make it a part of the school sex education program. These animals are good examples of how sex affects quality of life. Only early learning and public awareness will solve the future of animal neglect and abuse here in Alaska and the world.

John Harkey

Mat-Su Valley