Action | Promulgate regulation required by Chapter 319 of the 2016 Acts of Assembly |
Stage | NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 11/16/2016 |
I believe that regulations that demand a percentage of adoptions and percentage or cap on euthanasia in shelters will put homeless animals at risk. Although, some no kill shelters can no longer take in any more animals and experience over crowding, this does not apply to all no kill shelters especially smaller ones in our community. They offer a wonderful service to the animal population our area. Unfortunately,many people do not adopt feral, old, or disabled animals. Do you close this shelter because they are not meeting your Quota? On the other hand do you cap euthanasia on a shelter that practices it to control overcrowding, disease and poor living conditions for the animals they house. If the economy tanks like it did in 2008, even adoptions of kittens and puppies will drop. People will not be able to afford a pet and may even give up their pets. Shelters will take in more pets than they can adopt out. Is the solution to this to close the shelter? Why not more Virginia Government involvement to support feral cat spay and neutering or Feral Cat adoption/Work programs. Where cats live on farms where they are fed, live in the barn, and offer pest control services? The community would better served by promoting and encouraging adoption but not demand that shelters be closed or fined if they do not meet the percentage of euthanasia or adoptions that are being proposed.