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Photo choice questioned

3 min read

I was disappointed to see the only coverage of the motocross races at the fair was a picture of a wreck by a rider from Morgantown. The motocross races are a big attraction at the fair (It was maximum capacity in the arena.) and all the picture coverage was a small accident. Surely you saw the awesome riding and jumping of some of the riders who have excellent abilities and should be given applause for their talent. I’m sure you have some great photos.

Helen Miller

Fairchance

Hundreds of cats destroyed

I am a volunteer at Noah’s Ark Humane Society, and work with the cats. I have seen so many animals needlessly “put down” simply because their owners don’t feel the need to spay or neuter. Many animals were strays tossed from cars or dropped near other homes with outdoor cats. If local vets would offer “low cost” spaying programs to the needy, this situation would be greatly improved.

I am writing after an encounter I had on Friday with a very rude woman who was “dumping” a box of cats and kittens at our door (knowing Friends of Animals is not accepting cats due to being full). She asked if we euthanize and began yelling in the hallway, all the usual “I’m so concerned” statements, acting so concerned, screaming, “They’re all God’s creatures, how could you.” Yet she left her box of cats that was tightly taped shut with no air vents.

That ignorant, typical Fayette County behavior happens daily, and it takes its toll on staff and volunteers. In June, more than 360 cats were dropped off or rescued, and only five were adopted. We can hold about 70. Several hundred had to die because people don’t want to neuter or spay.

We (volunteers and staff) knock ourselves out cleaning, feeding and trying to play with all of the animals daily because we know they won’t be around that long – especially the kittens and cats. No one wants to adopt an adult cat, so they don’t get a second chance at a new home.

Recently, Noah’s Ark purchased (by installment) large, used birdcages, and they hold up to 15 kittens each. So those babies have a reprieve.

As the volunteer coordinator, I’m working to recruit people to come and play with the animals. But my obsession is to call attention to the plight of the kittens and cats, anyway I can.

I’m trying to get local attention, but so far, no one is interested, not even the commissioners, who recently cut funding, which drastically impacts daily operation at the shelter. More than 240 complaints were answered in June, meaning staff physically responds. That’s a lot of gasoline used to help Fayette County’s animal overpopulation, yet the commissioners no longer pay for gasoline.

Marybeth Homistek

Uniontown

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