More effort would alleviate need to help animals

I am responding to Dana Binford’s comments published Thursday on the

Forum page. Binford complained about the excessive cost for Lilly the

kitten to have $2,500 surgery through the Community Animal Network.

She thought the money could be better used to clean needy children’s

teeth.

I am a volunteer foster parents with the Community Animal Network,

and I have cared for as many as 69 cats and kittens at one time. I

currently care for 16 adult cats in need of homes. I was involved in

the rescue of Lilly’s beautiful Siamese mother, Katonah (who needs a

home). I also have three children and I volunteer with children, and

I work full-time. The key here is I volunteer and donate, and I get

involved. I’m extremely busy with my family and work, but I chose to

volunteer and help. If everyone would do something every day to help

someone, or some being, at some level, wow, what a beautiful place

this planet would be. DiAnna Pfaff-Martin, who runs the Community

Animal Network, said it best: “People are busy having fun in the

summer, and donating (time or money) is not on their minds.”

To clarify Lilly’s situation, as heartbreaking as it may be,

Lilly’s surgery cost is not necessarily a choice for the Community

Animal Network. Lilly was adopted, and her permanent home called on

the 30-day health guarantee offered by the Community Animal Network.

The $2,500 surgery cost for Lilly could possibly be better used to

care for up to 20 to 100 animal in need of sterilization, vaccination

and foster care, to ready them for adoption.

Lilly is beautiful and loving; however, “rescue” sometimes is very

difficult for the responsible person attempting to make the extremely

difficult decisions as to what is best for the animal and how to use

the very limited funds available. Money, unfortunately, is always a

consideration, but sometimes, as I have experienced, no matter what

you do, lives are lost.

The Community Animal Network is a pro-life, non-euthanasia group.

What this means is that the philosophy of the people involved is not

to euthanize any animal unless it is fatally ill or injured and

suffering. Money is always needed for veterinary care, food and

litter. Very little is donated.

I recently visited the Orange County Animal Shelter (funded by our

tax dollars) and an officer there told me only 10% of all cats get

adopted. They euthanize all cats deemed feral (born wild), without a

chance. I own two cats that once were feral. If my babies had ended

up at the shelter, they wouldn’t be here today to bring me the joy

that they do bring to me. I love these cats almost as much as I love

my kids, and to think they might not have been given a chance.

What I am doing as a volunteer rescuer and caregiver to cats is

that I am cleaning up other people’s irresponsible messes. People

still do not spay and neuter their animals. Consequently, we are

inundated with beautiful animals that should have never been born.

There are spay/neuter clinics that sterilize cats for $20 to $25. If

you have a pet, they must be sterilized. If you want a litter of

kittens, volunteer as a foster family to a homeless mother and her

kittens. And if you are looking for a pet, always consider a homeless

adult pet. Millions of animals are dying in the shelter every day,

simply because there are to many, and not enough homes.

Animals should not be “exterminated” like flies as a form of

population control. These animals did not ask to be born.

KRISTY NEUBO

Newport Beach