The recent appalling article in The Post-Searchlight about the large number of cats taken from a hoarder couple and ending up at the local shelter, which is already filled beyond capacity and operating on a ragged shoestring, should make every pet owner stop and think about their own animals.

Are they all spayed and neutered?

Did one of your cats or dogs have a litter that you really didn’t want so you took them to the shelter where you knew they would all get good homes?

Or when you moved, did you leave your dog or cat behind thinking someone would take it in but a good Samaritan or animal control officer brought it to the shelter where it might get lucky and find another home.

If not, the Humane Society will give it food and shelter until it must be euthanized to make room for other pets coming in every single day. That job is never pleasant but necessary.

So if the Bainbridge Humane Society has ever helped you, it’s now time to repay.

Financial contributions are always welcome but the best way you can help is to get all your pets fixed to prevent litters, or do some serious thinking before getting a dog or cat to make sure you can afford the costs as well as the time required out of your daily schedule.

Thorough planning would prevent the need for you to have to give it up to the shelter only a few months after happily taking this bundle of love home.

P.S. I have adopted two cats from this shelter and have given a $1,000 donation for feline spaying/neutering, so I am aware of how overcrowded they always are.

Judy Nimnicht

Tallahassee, Fla.