Pets deserve better

Dear Paw’s Corner: I am a new store owner and would like to address the issue of unwanted animals. Since my feed store opened, people keep dumping off their unwanted pets on our doorstep. Several times throughout the month I arrive at work to find a box of live animals on the front porch of the store. The boxes are often boldly labeled, “FREE.”

I cannot begin to tell you how offended I am at the audacity of fellow community members who do this. To leave four kittens on someone’s doorstep is to give them a huge responsibility — housing, feeding and caring for these little fellows takes time, energy and money. Most people find it difficult to care for one or two cats. Now we have eight, most of which were dumped here. The upkeep is incredible, and even though we clean the litter boxes daily, we still get complaints from customers.

To those who are considering abandoning their animals, please call one of the agencies in your area that have the resources and trained staff to help with your situation. Thank you — J.B. in Damascus, Ore.

Dear J.B.: Thank YOU for sounding off about this irresponsible practice! Too often, unwanted pets are found wandering on country roads and city streets. But owners who think that dumping their pets on someone else’s front porch is somehow less cruel should realize that it is not — and they are still doing their entire community a disservice.

J.B. not only has a business to keep solvent and employees to pay, but now has eight little mouths to feed. Guess where the money for that care comes from — the business!