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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Shelter takes care when placing pets

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published June 17, 2007

Shelter won't let family adopt cat June 10, story

Since 1978, Friends of Strays, a nonprofit volunteer organization, has served Pinellas County by caring for homeless pets until they are adopted. For much of that time, my mother and I have volunteered there. My mother was an adoption counselor for many years, and I have followed as a foster mother for countless cats and kittens until they are ready for adoption.

I know that Charlene Klauck, the adoption manager, will carefully screen people looking to adopt and thoughtfully match families with pets. Many times stray kittens, cats, puppies and dogs come to the shelter needing medical attention and lots of tender loving care. Often they are timid and frightened. The dedication to their rehabilitation is amazing!

As to the article regarding the family of the mentally disabled son who was refused adoption of one particularly skittish young kitten, the adoption manager's decision that day was based on the boy's alarmingly disruptive behavior displayed at the shelter. Charlene obviously had no prior knowledge of this person's medical history or condition. Young kittens and cats are especially sensitive to loud noises and may not be the best pet for all households.

What was not mentioned in the article was the family's refusal to complete the one-page questionnaire, to consider any other more stable cat, or to discuss the matter with Jean Bomonti, the co-founder of Friends of Strays. It is the responsibility of Friends of Strays to protect the kitten's safety and to err on the side of caution. What would be the public outcry if this kitten was injured or killed?

It would have seemed obvious to me, an exceptional educator for 26 years, that Matthew's family should have contacted Friends of Strays before arriving at the shelter to discuss these matters beforehand. They are his advocates. Did Matthew accompany his parents to the SPCA when they adopted the new kitten?

Many wonderful adoptions take place daily at Friends of Strays, and Pinellas County is a better place for all of us because of their efforts. A number of those adoptions are to special-needs persons. I personally hope that the St. Petersburg Times finds one of these success stories to be newsworthy!

Kathy Paeplow, Safety Harbor

Apology is warranted

Shelter won't let family adopt cat June 10, story

As the parent of a young adult with a developmental disability, a pet owner and an exceptional education teacher, I was appalled to read this article.

Charlene Klauck needs a reality check. Her comments were not only archaic, but ignorant and insensitive to the many individuals who are faced with developmental challenges every day. What are her credentials to pass judgment on the skills of individuals with disabilities?

Here is a caring family, willing to adopt a stray cat, being discriminated against because they have a child who is disabled. I am sure that Friends of Strays is a fine organization, but if Charlene Klauck's comments and opinions represent the philosophy of Friends of Strays, then I will choose to not support their cause in the future.

Charlene states, "I feel sorry for the little boy. It's a shame that children have to be born that way." I say to Charlene, "I feel sorry for you. It is a shame that you haven't enjoyed the privilege of knowing an individual with a disability."

Shame on you. You owe this family, all the animals who will lose out on being adopted because of your misguided judgment, and all individuals with disabilities a public apology.

Dayna Nichols, St. Petersburg

Protect safety services

With all the talk about cuts in local government, I have seen no discussion about the added positions that St. Petersburg set in place during our "good" times - in particular the vice mayors. The idea of having these people represent and help promote certain areas of the city is very nice. But with our need to get basic services funded, these positions, with their benefits and retirement costs, may be something that we should think about cutting.

It makes no sense to even think about cutting anything that keeps police and fire services. These are needed. Someone suggested cutting some of the code enforcement. Though I wouldn't like it, I could live with these cuts. We can all help out with code policy, but when I need police or fire, I don't want to have to count on my neighbor wielding a gun or firing up his water hose.

Owen Mchugh, St. Petersburg

Make codes first for cuts

Code enforcement needs to be cut June 10, letter

Recently the Neighborhood Times had a letter that called for a cutback in St. Petersburg's city codes department.

This expensive and totally nonessential drain upon our taxes should be the first thing that an efficient tax-cutting plan should consider. The codes department serves no constructive purpose to the people of our little city but to harass, aggravate and cost them needlessly.

This department could operate with no more than three people who answer complaints only. What exists now is a bureaucratic nightmare that supplies new vehicles, computers, telephone lines, uniforms, name tags, paper, printers, vacations, retirement benefits and ample salaries to a huge staff that really cannot give any real assistance to the homeowner.

This inept department should be the first considered by the City Council for a cutback.

Guy Nash, St. Petersburg

Homeless a city blight

Recently we visited St. Petersburg. I always talked about what a beautiful city it was since I lived there as a youngster. I expected changes but was really saddened to see so many homeless people in the beautiful Mirror Lake park that I remembered. We certainly were not getting out of our car to take a stroll.

On Central Avenue there were homeless people in most of the doorways with their grocery carts and junk. After viewing this we didn't stop to visit the Pier. We left the downtown area as quickly as we could. I don't think this is a good image for the beautiful city I remember.

Betty Wilson Guerriero, Miramar

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[Last modified June 16, 2007, 21:05:47]