Needless slaughter at shelter?

To the editor:

There has been a massive slaughter of dogs and cats at the Mat-Su Borough Animal Care and Regulation Shelter. Something has to be done. Euthanasia records for the Mat-Su Palmer Shelter show as of August and September 2011, 79 dogs and puppies euthanized, and 168 cats and kittens euthanized.

In comparison, according to the Associated Press, one year ago at this time, the Mat-Su shelter had reached a one-year anniversary as a no-kill shelter for cats, and eight months for dogs.

Many have been questioning about why such a drastic change in deaths and statistics at the Mat-Su shelter. A walk through the facility will reveal many empty kennels, so overcrowding is clearly not the answer. Healthy, nonaggressive animals have been needlessly euthanized, so health reasons are not the answer either.

Steps need to be taken in order to stop this needless slaughter! Please step up and speak for those who cannot defend themselves. Contact borough liaison for Mat-Su Animal Control, Elizabeth Gray, at 746-7405. Let her know that this loss of precious life is not only cruel and immoral, but unacceptable as well.

Thank you.

Rachel Ashton

Anchorage