This weekend I was going through some old papers and found a speech I gave as vice-president of VOSPCA at the 1994 Candlelight Vigil. I wanted to share it with you - have we made progress in 20 years? Ill let you decide . . . I am a small animal veterinarian and being immersed in the pet business on a daily basis, I thought that I knew about the pet overpopulation problem. I thought that I was doing enough. After all, I discussed spaying and neutering with my clients on a daily basis, and spays and neuters accounted for a majority of surgeries performed at the clinic where I worked. Then I became active in VOSPCA and my eyes were opened. I was forced to look at the animal control business on a personal level, I was appalled. Before, it was very easy for me to hear the numbers of animals put to death and say that I understood. But I did not! First of all, numbers are too impersonal to register and secondly, its so easy to gloss over things you dont want to think about and put them out of your mind as soon as possible. But then I volunteered to go to the shelter to train euthanasia technicians. I would see how long the euthanasia list was for that day. Often, it would take an entire morning to complete the work. Yes, we used the best, fastest, most humane methods possible. Yes, we made those animals last moments as peaceful as possible. Was I supposed to be proud of myself for doing a good job? I sure didnt feel anything close to proud. On top of it all, I had to try to explain to a person whose job it is to euthanize all those innocent unwanted animals that they were doing a much needed service. I was trying to provide emotional support at the same time that I was teaching them to kill. When I went home, first I was just depressed, and I wanted to give up. Then, I remembered the animals, and my depression turned to anger. What kind of people could allow an overpopulation problem to get so out of control so that eventually mass killings would be the only solution? I felt that VOSPCA and animal control shelters everywhere were being forced into being some sort of Hitler overseeing mass genocide. Is it not true that all life is precious? How can we agree with that idea and yet continue to allow our dogs and cats to breed indiscriminately? Well obviously, the problem hasnt occurred overnight. It has been perpetuated by generations of people of all different backgrounds and cultures. With such a widespread problem the solution is not going to arrive overnight either. Are there ANY signs of improvement? Emphatically YES! First of all, the fact that we are here tonight shows that we all care about the plight of these innocent victims. Do you realize that it is not just here, but that groups are meeting all over the USA tonight? The first part of a solution is to admit that there is a problem. I think that we all agree that this can no longer be swept under the rug. More than that, I believe that we are dedicated to find an answer. How many of you have pets? How many of you have had them spayed or neutered? You are all part of the solution. What else can we do so that these animals dont have to continue to die in vain? Take every opportunity that presents itself to educate others on the importance of spaying and neutering. Teach your children about responsible pet ownership. And most importantly - NEVER GIVE UP!! Thank you! Jan Breech In God We Trust
Posted on: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 00:17:04 +0000