Arcadia Needs Its Own Animal Shelter

According to the article published on April 28, 2010 in the Pasadena Star News, the City of Los Angeles killed more than 19,000 unwanted dogs and cats and 4,000 other animals last year. Los Angeles, citing budgetary concerns, is cutting its city's animal services, leading to an estimated 30,000 animal euthanizations next year. Under the proposed budget cuts, the Northeast Animal Shelter is to be shut down.

The recession is not to blame for the overpopulated animal shelters and homeless animals. Rather it is poor financial management and frivolous spending. The animals should not be the ones to have to suffer such consequences. In addition, the pet store at the Santa Anita mall is the only local place that residents can conveniently get pets at a premium price for as much as $2,000. However, these are puppies bred from puppy mills. This operation should not be allowed when there are plenty of animals sitting and waiting in shelters literally dying for a home.

When a door closes, another should open. I propose a new animal shelter to be built and a prime location is the City of Arcadia, which lacks its own resources for animal care. All pet related issues are directed to the Pasadena Humane Society, which already takes in thousands of animals every year. Considering the median family salary in Arcadia is $89,311 while in Los Angeles, the median family salary is $39,942, the city of Arcadia should have a healthy budget to plan an animal shelter that promotes humane treatment towards animals. Additionally, the animal shelter would discourage further activities of buying and selling puppies from puppy mills. Please approve of my proposal for an animal shelter in Arcadia.

The lives of many innocent dogs, cats, rabbits, etc. depend on this very important decision.