Responsible Pet Owners Alliance voice Concerns over Animal Issue

[Rene Allegrini]

From Responsible Pet Owners Alliance,
the reasonable voice regarding animal issues in Texas.
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance is an animal welfare organization,
not "animal rights" and, yes, there is a difference.

Permission granted to crosspost.

Wednesday, July 12

The San Antonio Express-News printed our Letter to the Editor
yesterday, May 11. Unfortunately they deleted the quote from Ingrid Newkirk which explains our unwavering opposition to Spay/Neuter Ordinances, a Breeder Permit and a Bill of Rights for San Antonio animals. The "Animal Rights" Agenda tarnishes the proposed 5 Year Plan for a No Kill Community and has no place in it.

Below is our letter in its entirety. To contact San Antonio officials, go to our website's Action Alert hot button on the home page:

Responsible Pet Owners Alliance - Home

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Letter to Editor

Re: "S.A. gets roadmap to 'no kill' community"

By Laura Jesse, June 30, 2006

"For one thing we would no longer allow breeding. People could not
create different breeds. If people had companion animals in their homes,
these animals would have to be refugees from the animal shelter and
streets . As the surplus of cats and dogs declined eventually companion animals would be phased out and we would return to a more symbiotic relationship - enjoyment at a distance." Ingrid Newkirk, President - PETA

True to doctrine, San Antonio's "Animal Rights" extremists are
exploiting sincere concerns about our animal problems to promote their radical
agenda to end all use, breeding, and ownership of pets. These extremists
want equal legal rights for "human and non-human animals." Pet ownership
is "slavery" to them. The City's "5 Year No Kill Strategic Plan" includes: a
Spay/Neuter Ordinance, Breeder's Permit, and a Bill of Rights for all San Antonio animals. Except for Year One, the Plan is an agenda of objectives with no details.

Austin's City Council recently refused to sponsor similar legislation
and developed alternatives that addressed their animal problems which lie
predominately in low income areas -- similar to San Antonio. The
Austin proposal mandated every dog/cat (male and female) in the city be
sterilized or pay excessive fees. San Antonio has historically failed to
enforce existing licensing and leash laws. Will passing more laws solve
today's problems created by past failures?

Stated objectives of this Plan have divided animal groups at a time
when they should be working together for the animals. Responsible Pet
Owners Alliance (RPOA) supports spay/neuter incentives, but not mandated
initiatives that erode owner rights and responsibilities.

"No Kill" does not and should not mean "No Pets."

The Plan may be found on the city's web site (SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY PORTAL - Home)
under Animal Care Service's link. A City council vote is expected in August.

Mary Beth Duerler

Former Chairman

Animal Care Services Advisory Board

Executive Director, RPOA

Responsible Pet Owners Alliance