LETTER: Animal shelters are here

Editor,

There was an article in the local newspaper on Aug. 29 that said there is a need for an animal shelter in Cache Valley. I want to inform valley residents and students at Utah State University that Four Paws Rescue has been operating as a shelter since 2001 in Cache Valley.

The Cache Humane Society may have the first full-service shelter, but Golden Retriever Rescue built the first rescue dog shelter in the valley. Unfortunately, this valley probably could easily have four shelters with a 50- to 100-animal capacity and still not have enough room to control the problem.

I think the location of the Cache Humane Society shelter is ideal for a center place for dogs and cats to go. The main difference between the two organizations is Four Paws Rescue is a no-kill rescue operation and the Cache Humane Society will not be. There is a need for both kinds of shelters in Cache Valley and I think they would compliment each other. As is the case with most non-profit organizations, there is never enough money to cover the costs of operation.

If interested in Four Paws Rescue, please go to their Web site at www.4paws.petfinder.org. I do support both Four Paws Rescue and the Cache Humane Society and other animal rescue groups in the valley. They do a tremendous job with no financial assistance from local governments.

Also, it is important for everyone to have their cats and dogs spayed or neutered to reduce the number of stray animals in Cache Valley.

Frank Smith