Sue Strayer letter to the readers

Have you ever adopted a dog from the Village Animal Shelter? Have you ever turned in a stray or an animal you or your neighbor could no longer take care of? Have your children and grandchildren ever visited the Shelter when here on vacation? If you have done any of these things, please note that the POA is ready to make those things impossible.
The POA is depending on the idea that a community that cares about animals, cares for their needs, and finds home for hundreds of animals every year is not necessary to Hot Springs Village. In other words, they would balance their budget on the backs of defenseless animals. These same animals would, in their plan, be transported to Hot Springs Animal Control (at $50 a head). While Hot Springs certainly does its best, they are overcrowded with their own animals and do not have the adoption program that the Animal Welfare League here in the Village manages. So, what do you think is going to happen to the animals our POA sends there? The Animal Welfare League has many volunteers who put in hours and hours to staff the Shelter's adoption side. They also recently spent almost $50,000 to expand the Shelter, and last year they spent $33,000 on vet bills alone.
However, asking an all-volunteer community to completely take over all Shelter operations is an overwhelming commitment of both money, time, and physical labor. Would the POA ask Villagers to take over running golf courses? The Natatorium? Woodlands? This is a terrible idea, and all Villagers who have ever visited the Shelter or simply have compassion for animals should try to attend the community meeting on March 14 at 10 a.m. at the Ouachita Room at the Ponce de Leon Center. Please come out and advocate for the animals; they have no voice, and they need yours!
Sincerely,
Sue Strayer
Hot Springs Village