Letters to the Editor
May 28, 2008 - 06:34 PM
by Contributed
by Contributed
I am a volunteer at the Humane Society of Skagit Valley.
The Humane Society was established in 1974 and is dedicated to placing all adoptable pets into new loving homes. The shelter serves a population of about 113,000 and in 2007 alone, provided assistance to nearly 3,000 animals. The animals served by the Humane Society are abandoned, abused or otherwise find themselves without homes and the very bare necessities in order to live.
The shelter faces a critical need for both donations of money and time. The Humane Society now faces extreme difficulty in making ends meet.
The animals keep arriving on a daily basis and with summer approaching the numbers only increase. The shelter is open seven days a week.
For more information, please call 360-757-0445, e-mail , visit http://www.skagithumane.com or stop by the new adoption facility off I-5 Exit 231 (Cook Rd) at 18841 Kelleher Road north of Burlington.
In addition, The Humane Society Thrift Shop, located at 525D E. College Way in Mount Vernon, is the Humane Society’s primary fundraiser. The thrift shop is open seven days a week and may be reached at 360-424-5991. Donations of clean resalable items in good condition are very much appreciated.
Every penny donated really and truly helps and allows the animals the life and love they so richly deserve. There are volunteer opportunities in every area as well.
Thank you for caring about the animals!
Karen Roberts
Sedro-Woolley
It’s not rocket science
This past winter, Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation took a poll on the need for a dog park. They received enough positive replies to go ahead with it.
I’m in no way criticizing the parks director, but I am aware of how long issues are dragged out in Mount Vernon. Just take 15 minutes and call Anacortes Parks for information and guidance.
I’ve been taking my dogs to Lake Padden off-leash dog park and Anacortes dog park for more than a year. It’s my favorite place to go with my dogs! I suggest that the parks director or one of Bud Norris’ assistants go out to the Anacortes dog park or Lake Padden and look at the list of rules and regulations posted on the fences.
Take note of the plastic dog-waste bags and garbage cans on the premises. Also, observe dog owners picking up the waste as soon as their pet leaves their waste.
At Lake Padden they have a separate area for small dogs. They have used hog-wire fencing in both dog parks. They use chipper shredder mulch to cut down on the mud. There are double gates for entering and exiting dog parks to insure dogs don’t get loose. Anacortes dog park is on a temporary piece of property. They have a Port-O-Pottie for human use, three garbage cans, a shovel and plastic bags for poo.
No more than two dogs are allowed per owner and no aggressive dogs are allowed. If they become aggressive they are to be removed from the park immediately. They must be up on vaccinations. No food is allowed — treats or human food — to guard against aggression. Dogs must be removed from their leashes upon entering the park to avoid dogs feeling cornered.
My point is that this shouldn’t take months for city planners or county planners to get the ball rolling. Dog owners are ready and willing to volunteer their services in Mount Vernon.
So when can we hope to see this dog park issue settled and ready to go?
I spoke with someone at Mayor Norris’ office on May 13 about what was taking so long to get things going.
I gave this person information that I’ve gathered from attending the dog parks and suggested he go to both parks and observe for himself. He offered me a latte to gather information for Norris’ office and strongly suggested that it would be used as if Norris had had the idea and done the footwork himself. I don’t need a latte, I need a dog park!
Kim Johnson
Mount Vernon
