The Tri-City Herald published the article about my volunteer work with the Benton Franklin Humane Society in today’s Mid-Columbia section. For those of you outside of the Herald’s distribution region, the article can be read on their web site at http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/317136.html.
Reporter Joe Chapman did a nice job with the article however I am a little disappointed that the focus was on that one session rather than on my reasons for choosing to volunteer my time with the humane society. While the animals at the Benton Franklin Humane Society are afforded the protection of being at a no kill shelter, tragically half of all the cats and dogs brought to shelters in our country are euthanized because there are not enough homes for them all. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) puts that estimate between three and four million animals euthanized every year. One doesn’t have to subscribe to all of the HSUS policies to know that we can and should do better for these animals.
Ultimately I hope that my work gets people to consider adoption first when they begin their search to bring a new pet into their home. There will always be a place for responsible breeders and for purebred animals and designer cross mixes however I fully believe that most of us will be able to find our new best friends in humane societies, animal shelters and rescue organizations if only we look first. Above all, it is important that people make the right decision for their their individual circumstances but I hope that my work will at least get people to consider all of their options before bringing that new member of their family home.
Photographs from the September 9, 2008 session and others of Benton Franklin Humane Society animals can be viewed at http://michaelklothphotography.com/BFHS.html.
