Editor:

Due to the economic hardship, pounds are overflowing with many thousands of abandoned animals. Most 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 greater participation in low-cost spay and neuter programs such as Maddy’s Fund, which helps Medicaid recipients may for their cats and dogs to be “fixed.” Maddy’s Fund has been very effective in Alabama but it needs to go further.

If this program could be made totally free, it would be considerably more effective. 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. 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 (stores might provide credit vouchers and other help, various fundraisers, or perhaps some type of pet lottery could be arranged. 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.

Stapleton resident