Dear Editor,

As the Director of the Humane Society of Richmond County, I would like to address several issues that have come about lately in the public eye and hopefully allay some of the confusion and concern that has arisen from them. We, at the shelter, are doing our utmost to save lives and to shelter animals in our care. We are the Humane Society and we operate under this premise. We believe animal owners are responsible for their animals and should not look to the shelter for an easy and convenient way out. Unfortunately, we have only a limited space and resources. The public is so quick to demand service. They wish to surrender animals at will without making donations. They allow their pets to breed and then surrender the litters to us. They will refuse to spay or neuter even when the service is offered at a low cost.

The shelter staff works hard daily to care for these hundreds of unwanted animals at a minimum wage pay without benefits. They work to the best of their abilities and try to save as many lives and find as many homes for these animals as possible. However, we are limited; limited by the animal welfare laws of NC, limited by space, funds, and homes to put them in. If the residents of Richmond County and the surrounding townships wish to help with any of these shortcomings we welcome their help and guidance. If you’re not supporting the shelter in some way, then please guard your criticism. If it’s not constructive, it’s not helpful.

For those in the community that have supported the shelter and staff at any time over the years, I give you my heartfelt thanks because I know who you are and I am grateful for all that you have done for us. Richmond County has a shelter that it should be proud to support, especially if you have seen what we evolved from over the years. If anyone would like to be a part of what we do at the shelter, please feel free to contact me and I would be more than happy to sit down and discuss with you what our needs are.

For the animals,

Valerie Davis

Hamlet