Letters to the Editor
There are too many unwanted animals
Editor:
The problem: Too many unwanted animals that will be euthanized.
The solution: Spay and neuter.
Preceding the arrival of the spay/neuter van from Santa Fe Humane, there was a lot of expressed dissension — none that recognized a solution of the problem of too many unwanted animals by offering spay/neuter services at reduced prices.
Over the years, APAS has offered reduced price coupons for spay/neuter procedures to a segment of the population. It has not been enough to make an impact. (Note: The membership of APAS has voted against bringing the van to Socorro both in the past and this time).
Other communities have been able to solve the problem of pet overpopulation with aggressive spay/neuter programs, including trap-neuter-release for feral cats. It is time for Socorro to implement a program and I thank Ms. Urban and Ms. Gordon, with the backing of the city and contributions from citizens, for doing so.
Juxtaposition: to put side-by-side. My juxtaposition: Friday morning at the animal shelter — Friday afternoon at the spay/neuter van.
At the shelter, it is a pleasure to see the dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. They are so pleased to have “company” and so eager to be noticed. It is heart-breaking to know that some of those I am seeing this week will be gone next week, not because they found homes, but because they have been put to death to make way for the constant influx of more abandoned, unwanted creatures.
Week after week there is a steady flow of the discarded. There are friendly pit bulls, but they have less chance of being adopted than other breeds, not because there is anything wrong with the breed, but because of bad press. The feral cats, too, will not find a homes and will be destroyed.
At the spay/neuter van, animals got a health check, were either spayed or neutered and given shots. Many of the dogs who received treatment were those hard-to-place large dogs including pit bulls. That means fewer puppies and less euthanasia. There were also feral cats who, without surgery, would continue to breed.
Will the spay/neuter van be a solution to the problem of too many animals? I hope so.
Ruth White, Socorro
Thanks for helping raise awareness
Editor:
A short note of thanks to First State Bank for allowing me to set up a display and conduct a public orientation/information session for the community of Socorro.
We will feature another similar activity scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The bank is also hosting a display of The Heart Gallery through the month of October.
I appreciate the courtesy, professionalism and the interest of the staff in the desire to help the children of New Mexico. A collaboration of this type between the business community and CYFD brings a special satisfaction to the work we do.
Thanks to Cuatro Bursum, Cindy Lam and all the employees of First State Bank for joining with me to help raise the awareness of the need for foster and adoptive parents in New Mexico but especially for Socorro County.
Ronny J. Diaz, Foster and Adoptive Parent Recruiter
Good friends are hard to come by
Editor:
George Aguilar,
Thank you George for letting me be your friend and a small part of your life.
When I came to Socorro in the fall of 1977, you were one of the first people I met. You opened your arms and your heart and you and your family were great in helping me get started here. All of your brothers were right there for me and my family.
One time my family and I wanted to go to Mexico. You had a friend in Mexico meet us there and we had the best site-seeing tour of Mexico that anyone would have paid thousands for.
The time you came by our home to collect clothes for the needy people in Mexico, with your bride, for sure I thought there was no more room in your van, but you proved me wrong — there was.
Every moment we spoke about your family — your brothers, grandkids and now your great-grandkids you shone brighter and smiled bigger with each word.
You’re a great friend George. Your heart is bigger than you know.
Thank you for being you and letting me be your friend.
Patrick DiBartolomeo, Socorro