Enough already! I have been witness to the constant bickering that has existed from the moment our humane society has become a no-kill shelter (a lot of that time as the news editor of The Monroe Times). No matter who is in charge, someone is unhappy. I've heard similar accusations throughout the years, including how GCHS staff lied about the health and disposition of animals. Let's not forget the story of the dog that bit a child, was returned to the humane society and then was advertised again as a pet that's great with children!
And accusations about unhealthy animals have circulated for years. Remember the story about the pets in the freezer? I personally received a "healthy" kitten who needed drugs to fight a nasty respiratory problem that existed from the moment I brought him home. This was long before the new board existed. I'm not upset about having to treat my kitten; it's to be expected when you cram all those animals into such a small space.
What I am upset about is that all this finger-pointing continues. It's time for the sour-grapes attitude to stop, for these disgruntled former board and staff members from throughout the years to wise up and for everyone to start getting along for the sake of these animals. Otherwise, the support will never be there to continue this shelter. I certainly am not going to donate any money to this organization until the former and current board and staff members learn how to compromise and play nicely.
Now I'm going to do something that's going to ruin my credibility with Ms. Ward. I agree with the outdoor pets policy. In fact, while I was growing up, we had many outdoor pets. Our dog wouldn't come in the house unless there was a nasty thunderstorm. She had a fantastic life chasing rabbits while we were out in the woods, and swimming in the river while we fished. She stayed warm by snuggling in loose hay in our shed, many times surrounded by our cats. It was a good life for them all. She died of cancer at age 13, and I still miss her today. She was the best dog/pal I ever had.
We had cats that lived far longer than our dog and spent a lot of time killing mice and rats in the corn crib and hay mow, using our sandbox as a litter box (yuck!) and sunning themselves on our porch.
Cats and dogs were not placed on this earth to live in a house. They were given fur and instincts designed for the outdoors. Certainly, they should be provided with food at all times and a warm, sheltered place for the coldest times of year, but I agree with Ms. Augsburg that it's better for those pets to be outside than locked in one of the cages at GCHS. Maybe our past board members who think differently can spend their additional free time trying to find indoor homes for all their great furry friends, or at least giving them the attention they so desperately crave!
In the grand scheme of things, the animals there are no better or worse than they've been since the no-kill policy started. It's just a different cast of characters playing the parts of the "controlling, nasty" board members and disgruntled ex-board members and staff. All you're doing when you make these accusations is proving to me that nothing ever changes.
As a side note, my son and I have volunteered at the shelter both before and after the new board was seated. I find it's a much cleaner place now. Is that because we have a new board and staff overseeing it? Is it because there are fewer animals? Or is it just because I happened to come at the right time? You be the judge.
Finally, I have no personal ties to any of the staff at GCHS, and I have no idea who most of the past or current board members are or were. I'm just a member of this community who would like to see this no-kill shelter be successful. And I think anyone tied to it feels the same way. We may have different methods of getting there, but the end outcome is the same ... the welfare of these animals. So let's all grow up and start working together.
- Heather Lisser is a Monroe resident and a former news editor of The Monroe Times.
And accusations about unhealthy animals have circulated for years. Remember the story about the pets in the freezer? I personally received a "healthy" kitten who needed drugs to fight a nasty respiratory problem that existed from the moment I brought him home. This was long before the new board existed. I'm not upset about having to treat my kitten; it's to be expected when you cram all those animals into such a small space.
What I am upset about is that all this finger-pointing continues. It's time for the sour-grapes attitude to stop, for these disgruntled former board and staff members from throughout the years to wise up and for everyone to start getting along for the sake of these animals. Otherwise, the support will never be there to continue this shelter. I certainly am not going to donate any money to this organization until the former and current board and staff members learn how to compromise and play nicely.
Now I'm going to do something that's going to ruin my credibility with Ms. Ward. I agree with the outdoor pets policy. In fact, while I was growing up, we had many outdoor pets. Our dog wouldn't come in the house unless there was a nasty thunderstorm. She had a fantastic life chasing rabbits while we were out in the woods, and swimming in the river while we fished. She stayed warm by snuggling in loose hay in our shed, many times surrounded by our cats. It was a good life for them all. She died of cancer at age 13, and I still miss her today. She was the best dog/pal I ever had.
We had cats that lived far longer than our dog and spent a lot of time killing mice and rats in the corn crib and hay mow, using our sandbox as a litter box (yuck!) and sunning themselves on our porch.
Cats and dogs were not placed on this earth to live in a house. They were given fur and instincts designed for the outdoors. Certainly, they should be provided with food at all times and a warm, sheltered place for the coldest times of year, but I agree with Ms. Augsburg that it's better for those pets to be outside than locked in one of the cages at GCHS. Maybe our past board members who think differently can spend their additional free time trying to find indoor homes for all their great furry friends, or at least giving them the attention they so desperately crave!
In the grand scheme of things, the animals there are no better or worse than they've been since the no-kill policy started. It's just a different cast of characters playing the parts of the "controlling, nasty" board members and disgruntled ex-board members and staff. All you're doing when you make these accusations is proving to me that nothing ever changes.
As a side note, my son and I have volunteered at the shelter both before and after the new board was seated. I find it's a much cleaner place now. Is that because we have a new board and staff overseeing it? Is it because there are fewer animals? Or is it just because I happened to come at the right time? You be the judge.
Finally, I have no personal ties to any of the staff at GCHS, and I have no idea who most of the past or current board members are or were. I'm just a member of this community who would like to see this no-kill shelter be successful. And I think anyone tied to it feels the same way. We may have different methods of getting there, but the end outcome is the same ... the welfare of these animals. So let's all grow up and start working together.
- Heather Lisser is a Monroe resident and a former news editor of The Monroe Times.
