EDITOR:

For Sale: 50+ cats and 12+ dogs

No, I'm not begging you to take a litter of kittens that I have that proves I'm a irresponsible pet owner; nor am I asking you to buy puppies that I'm breeding simply to make what I think will be an easy bundle of cash. However, if you do either of those things, you're helping perpetuate the on-going problem of too many homeless cats and dogs in the world.

I'm asking you to consider adopting from the Delta County Animal Shelter if you are looking for a pet. All of these pets are either spayed or neutered, or are required to be fixed when you take them home.

None of them are there because they want to be. Some are there because their owners are no longer able to care for them. Some are there because their owners died and now they are removed from the home they knew and loved and placed in a noisy, crowded jail with other agitated and lonely pets. Some are there because their owners don't want to bother to pay the redemption fees they can just get another free puppy or kitty. Some are there because their owners want a new, little puppy or kitten when their pet matures into a dog or cat. Some are there because they made the mistake of getting pregnant and are being blamed for the irresponsibility of their owners.

If only they could talk, all would have a sad story to tell.

Please, help stop the breeding of cats and dogs by not answering the "free kittens", "free puppies", and "dogs for sale" ads in the newspapers and on the internet. Each time a home is found for one of these animals, it reinforces the behavior of the irresponsible pet owner. If these animals end up at the Shelter instead, they will at least be spayed and neutered to help curb the population explosion.

If you are looking for a new, loving animal companion, please visit our local shelter. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Pet pictures are published in the Action Guide, the Daily Press, and at www.deltaanimal.org and www.petfinder.com . The Shelter is currently at maximum capacity and responsible pet owners are desperately needed.

Wendy Pepin

Escanaba