Mayor Gives Valentine to Homeless Cats & Dogs

Recently, I wrote about Andrea, the Utah cat who survived TWO euthanizing attempts, hypothermia and suffocation — and all in one day. Andrea’s iron-pawed will to live made international headlines and prompted animal activists to initiate a petition calling for the end of euthanizing gas chambers. Additionally, animal rights advocates in Utah began a slow but steady drumbeat calling for the West Valley City Animal Shelter, where the euthanizing attempts had taken place, to embrace a no-kill policy.

Well, the drum beat has been heard and tonight, in honor of Andrea the Cat, the City Council issued a proclamation that sets the goal of obtaining a “no-kill” designation for the West Valley City shelter. This goal can be achieved, they said, with the help of volunteers and local animal advocacy groups, such as CAWS (Community Animal Welfare Society) and Best Friends Society.

Mayor Mike Winder, called the February 14th vote a “valentine to the animals.”

Jamie Carter, a CAWS volunteer, told the city council that she’s thrilled that instead of arguing over how to kill animals, the groups and city are going to work together on how to save them.

Last year alone, the West Valley Shelter took in over 5,000 animals and euthanized about 1,700. Now with the help of animal advocates, emphasis will be placed on responsible ownership and increasing adoptions.

Sign This Petition: Adoptable Pets Should Never Be Euthanized

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Elaine A.

7:06PM PDT on Jul 18, 2012

A Good man indeed. Thank you Mr. Mayor!

July 18
send a green star

Winn A.

12:07PM PDT on Jul 18, 2012

Anytime you can draw attention to the plight of homeless dogs and cats is a good thing. Please take care of your pets and please spay and neuter them.

Abbe A.

11:13AM PDT on Jul 18, 2012

Wonder what happened to that cat.

Michele W.

7:20AM PDT on Jul 18, 2012

Thank you

Roisin S.

5:39AM PDT on Jul 18, 2012

great news. It's also good they are trying to educate people about responsible pet ownership. Maybe they should offer cheap castrations and neuterings also? After all the best way to reduce the numbers of animals coming into the shelter is to control the pet population humanely through neutering.

Wendye K.

3:42PM PDT on Jul 17, 2012

EVERY animal deserves a long, healthy, happy and safe life. Companion animals should have the care, attention, affection, love, respect and protection they so richly deserve. God bless ALL animals! xo xo xo xo xo xo

July 17
send a green star

Shanie M.

12:49PM PDT on May 10, 2012

I desparately wanted to 'sigh' the petition [re: Adorable pets should never be euthanized], but unfortunately, even you are renting usage of a cpu thru FedEx's computer rental facilities...FedEx does NOT permit the Care2 petitions to display!!! Not so customer friendly are they... So I will have to go to the library here in Toronto to add my signature....

May 10
send a green star

9:47AM PDT on Mar 24, 2012

Always my kind of story!

March 24
send a green star

Jeanne M.

2:58PM PDT on Mar 21, 2012

Good news.

March 21
send a green star

Debbie C.

5:34AM PDT on Mar 19, 2012

This "no-kill" policy sounds great. Now, they just need to get out there and promote addoption to keep the population inside down. I wish them a whole lot of luck.