GULF SHORES, Ala. — Due to economic hardship, pounds are overflowing with many thousands of abandoned animals. Many of these animals are doomed. Only the smaller number of them stand a chance at being adopted. The rest will be euthanized by methods that vary in humaneness.

Much suffering could have been prevented by a greater participation in low-cost spay and neuter programs such as “Maddy’s Fund,” which helps Medicaid recipients pay for their cats and dogs to be “fixed.” Maddy’s Fund has been very successful in Alabama but it needs to be taken a step further.

If this program could be made totally free it would be considerably increased in its effectiveness.

If rewards (credit vouchers, cash, etc.) were given to those of certain income levels who had their pets spayed and neutered, I believe the program would be made vastly more effective.

Some might say this would be coddling pet owners who are irresponsible. And perhaps in some cases it would be. But remember, the problem of overpopulation is a terrible situation and whatever works should be used for the animals’ sake.

Such a program might be funded by: donations from businesses in the form of vouchers, etc.; various fundraisers; a small tax on pet food; and perhaps some type of pet lottery could be set up. I’m sure others will have more ideas to offer here.

Finally, there are only 17 no-kill shelters in Alabama. Let us encourage these noble endeavors until they become the rule rather than the exception.