Arguments for spaying and neutering pets
I would like to know.
Why don’t you spay or neuter your dog or cat? Is it the cost? Is it against your religion? Is it because you are a hunter and wish to breed dogs to feed your family hunting? I’m not addressing breeders. It’s a form of income, I get that.
I had an emotional reaction to a friend I admire and respect who I learned has a tenant on her land who refused to sterilize his dogs. And the obvious happened. I was so upset and knew that it was not my business, but I feel it is my kuleana, having worked at the animal shelter and knowing the number of animals euthanized because we don’t have enough loving homes on our small island.
Kauai Humane Society develops programming to ship dogs off-island. It’s a desperate measure and a good one, but the problem remains with our community and the people who choose to add to an already crippling issue on our island.
I really do want to know why people don’t spay and neuter?
Pam Woolway, Anahola
Fight climate change, plant a tree
Due to climate change, a lot of attention has been brought to the issue of carbon sequestration.
There are several methods available to achieve this, one in particular called afforestation, which is the planting of new trees, and renewal of previously harvested land. While these efforts are commendable, and offer future benefit, there is an immediate solution- that being, refraining from removing already mature trees.
Here in my hometown of Waimea, Kaua‘i, along the entrance road to KVMH, stand four large monkeypod trees, scheduled to be cut down, and our neighborhood wondered why. Were they planning an expansion, or widening the roadway? The answer was no, it had been determined that they posed a hazard to people parking under them. Why do they do this? Forsake the main parking lot, park on dirt, and have to walk farther to the hospital? The shade of course! Westside gets pretty hot sometimes, and shade is invaluable.
Those trees could easily be maintained with light trimming when required, and everyone would benefit.The hospital employees who walk at lunchtime, folks worried about loved ones who need a breather, neighborhood keiki, and the countless birds that call them home. If we can refrain from killing these lovely old trees now, they can continue to sequester 48 pounds of carbon per year for the foreseeable future. If you agree, and can spare the time to respectfully contact Mr. Pimentel, head of the Landscape division for the hospital, we might be able to gently persuade him to consider saving these wonderful old trees.
Christie Tanner, Waimea
