We need an animal advisory committee

Angie Platten
Published: April 19, 2008

Prince William County has many issues when it comes to animal welfare: a county shelter that is overrun with 8,000 animals a year, no low cost spay/neuter options, no humane education in our community and no dog parks for county residents.

The PWSPCA members have been trying to inform the Board of County Supervisors about these animal welfare issues. We realize that budget cuts are needed this year and we are not suggesting that animals should get services over humans. But, county tax dollars are being used to house and euthanize animals regardless of other services that are needed.  The county spends approximately $1.3 million each year to house and care for 8,000 shelter animals.  Half of these animals are euthanized at a tax-payer bill of $30,000 annually.

The formation of an Animal Advisory Committee will not cost the county any money, but has the potential of saving the county thousands of dollars each year with the work that could be accomplished. 
If citizens had more low cost spay/neuter options, there would be less animals entering the shelter each year. This committee would also introduce humane education to the community, create off-leash dog parks, increase cruelty awareness, attract pet-friendly businesses and promote proper pet care.

If counties like Arlington, Loudoun and Fairfax can provide these services, why can’t Prince William County? 

Our county has 80 citizen advisory boards including one for trash, but none for animal welfare.  It is a proven fact that counties with poor animal welfare practices have overrun shelters, wasted taxpayer money and increased cruelty cases.

Our county shelter needs more support from the government.  The facility is very outdated and many of the adoptable pets are euthanized and then sent to the incinerator behind the shelter.  Along with wasted taxpayer money, please also consider the suffering and loss of life that is occurring right across the street from our county dump, which has two advisory committees!

On May 13, the Board of County Supervisors will hear a presentation on the formation of an Animal Advisory Committee. Please visit http://www.pwc-aac.org to learn more about the animal welfare issues in and what you can do to help.

ANGIE PLATTEN

Prince William SPCA

Bristow