Citizens concerned about animals being abandoned    

Editor's note:

In the Sept. 5 edition of LDN, an article appeared about the Logan County Animal Control improvements, plans and current issues. Logan County Animal Control Committee Chairman Patrick O'Neill has been doing and has more plans to do actions the Bakers so excellently suggest.  The animal control's stage three plan increases efforts to educate the public about the importance of spaying and neutering animals.

"In phase three they will be taking animals out to schools, nursing homes and other places. They have done some of this already and it has been effective. They will work at public awareness and education about the importance of population control through spaying and neutering, particularly for outdoor pets."

(http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2003
/Sep/05/News_new/today_a.shtml)

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Dear Editor:

We are writing concerning the proposal to start charging a drop-off rate for animals taken to our local shelter. Will people ignore or abandon an animal that needs care because they cannot afford or do not want the expense? Why are we paying taxes for a county service that we might have to start paying additional charges for if we need the service?

We had a cat that appeared earlier this spring. She lived on our patio for the weekend. My husband had been all over our neighborhood and was unable to locate the owner. He had to catch the cat and take it to the local shelter. It is a very hard thing to do if you love animals -- not knowing what will happen to them. We wanted to make sure the cat had a chance at a good home. We would have paid if necessary -- but will others? Is everyone in the county paying their fair share for the shelter?

We believe you get "pets for life." They are yours from the moment you add them into your family. We "planned" all of our animals -- even the little moggy that our vet rescued. We discussed adding on another before bringing him home. Our vet showed Cagney to all of the cat lovers for one week before finding him a home. She worked hard to get him a lifetime, indoor-only home.

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We are very thankful that we now have hardworking staff at our local shelter who are willing and able to make the changes necessary to make it "no-kill." Shelters nationwide average 16 animals per year euthanized for every 1,000 residents -- alarming if you read it in print. The good news is that shelters who work hard to change their approach to shelter care are able to get the rate down to eight animals per year for every 1,000 residents. U.S. Census Logan County population 2001 estimate is 30,805 people. That means without a "no-kill" approach approximately 492 animals will be euthanized this year, but if we are all willing to work toward changes, we can save 246 animals. That is almost five animals per week, placed into a family, that become pets for life.

The local animal shelter has made wonderful changes over the fast few months, and I really appreciate everyone who has taken part. But they have done little to address the cause of the problem: the exploding population of unwanted pets. We need to put public money toward spaying and neutering and increase public awareness of sterilization. The shelter has adopted the position of "no kill" so that they are able to provide high-quality animals for adoption while also providing the spay, neuter and companion animal health programs required to cure the problem of companion animal overpopulation. Animal shelters are NOT the answer to this problem, preventative programs are.

Shelters made the following changes to get their "kill" rates down:

1. Increase sterilizations and public education. Provide free and low-cost spay and neuter services, plus rabies vaccinations.

2. Increase the number of animals adopted from the shelter.

3. Embed microchips in animals that leave the shelter so, if they're picked up as strays, the owners can be identified.

4. Trap and neuter feral cats.

5. Help pet owners train their adopted animals so they don't develop behavioral problems and get returned to the shelter.

Please take time today to let your county representative know you are a "pet for life" person, and fight for the animals at our local shelter to finally have a home for life.

Sincerely,

Robert and Diane Baker

[posted 9-17-03]

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Baby suffering; mother urges immunizations    

To the editor:

Hello. My name is Michelle and I grew up in Lincoln. The reason that I am writing this today is because I want to make sure that all children remain healthy. Please make [sure] your child gets all their immunizations.

Right now my 4-week-old daughter is in the PICU at St. John's Hospital in Springfield with whooping cough. Because of her age she has not yet had her DPT shot, but PLEASE make sure that your child is up to date!!

She has been in ICU for five days now. She is on oxygen, IVs, all kinds of monitors and even a feeding tube. They put a tube in her because she gets so tired from her coughing spells that she is too tired to eat. That's because during these spells her little 8 pound, 8 ounce body goes through so much. Her heart rate goes from 70 to 190 in a matter of a few seconds to a few minutes.

I would hate for any child or parent to go through this. While she is getting some better, this will be a slow recovery for her as well as for the rest of our family.

Michelle (LaMaster) Durbin

[posted 9-15-03]

Best blood drive yet    

Dear Editor:

Central Illinois Community Blood Center wishes to thank those community members who participated in the blood drive on Monday, Sept. 7, at the Logan County Paramedic building. This was the largest turnout for a CICBC blood drive in Lincoln since we began providing the entire blood supply for Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in September of 2001. Central Illinois Community Blood Center also thanks the ALMH Auxiliary, who sponsored the blood drive. What a great job they did!

Providing blood for local hospitals is a community responsibility. After all, the patients in these hospitals are your friends, neighbors and family members. With blood shortages all across the country, it has never been so important for community members to help fill this need. Blood is a renewable resource and must be constantly replaced.

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When you donate blood through Central Illinois Community Blood Center, you help to maintain a safe, reliable blood supply for your community, while keeping local medical costs under control. CICBC provides all of the blood for 11 local hospitals, including those in Lincoln, Springfield and Hopedale. Once local hospitals are fully supplied, CICBC can and does share any extra with other areas of the country.

For those contemplating blood donation, the qualifications for donation are that you be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form). There is no longer an upper age limit. You must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in overall good health and have a photo ID. Many medications, such as blood pressure medication, will not preclude donation. If you have any questions, please call the blood center at 753-1530.

Again, thank you for your lifesaving support!

Cherie Sexton-Young

Director of Donor Resources

Central Illinois Community Blood Center

[posted 9-13-03]