Too bad that animals don’t get a vote

Liz Irvin
Published: September 27, 2008

One night, I listened to two talk show hosts discussing the election and where candidates stood on the economy, the war, abortion, taxes and other burning issues. A viewer called in and asked them
which candidate is more apt to be an advocate for animals.  They both shrugged their shoulders and said probably neither, because animals don’t vote. 

We live in a country where citizens can pressure elected officials to support their cause because they know that their vote matters. So what of the ones that can’t vote? They are usually low priority and
fall short of dominating a forum or budget.

Such is the case with our pets in Prince William County. Over the years, our county’s population has exploded in growth. Demands for more schools, affordable houses, more roads and social services
have had to be met. Voters make sure of that. Increase in people means increase in animals. Do you know that roughly 8000 animals per year enter the PWC shelter? I will not reveal how many get
euthanized, it is way too disturbing. But it has to be done when there is no space and not enough people that want to adopt them. This time of year is the hardest on staff. The dog runs in the back room
are always full of pit bulls. The back and front room cages are always full of kittens and unwanted cats.

How long has the old lecture of altering your pets been going on? It doesn’t seem to matter — the percentage of ignorant people who have a litter “for the kids” and other selfish reasons will always
remain; as will the pet owners who discard a pet when they become inconvenient. The company of animals is taken for granted. How many times has a pet been comforting when you are lonely or sad?
How many times has your dog protected you and your house? Unlike us, their love is unconditional. If only they could vote.

Our shelter is clean and efficiently run. But it lacks the programs, animal housing, and medical attention that neighboring shelters have managed to provide. In the 26 years that I have lived here, this
county has really blossomed, but not in the animal world. Citizens need to get involved. For starters, PWSPCA is accepting tax deductible donations for shelter improvements. Visit their Web site at
pwspca.org. And thanks to Nancy White and her Friday columns in this paper, a window into their lives is provided so that hopefully more will be adopted.

LIZ IRVIN

Former shelter employee and SPCA volunteer

Woodbridge