I would like to thank Susan Lynn for her editorial published in the Iola Register last Saturday.
Ms. Lynn did a fine job of pointing out the need for and benefits from the ACARF animal shelter in our county and naming other shelters that are supported in part by municipalities and counties. I would like to note that few businesses show a dramatic profit during the first year of operations. In fact, the majority of small business start-ups fail within the first six months. Why would we expect self-support from a non-profit within the first year of operation?
ACARF knew that it would need grant money to operate and improve programs and facilities as time went on. But, as the economy has become less robust, competition for grant money has become fierce. The benefactors want to see that the public has an active interest in supporting the organizations they are asked to fund. In the future we can hope that the economy improves and that ACARF’s shelter continues to polish its fine reputation of animal care. With a record of success, ACARF should be able to attract grant money and the county should be able to direct its money to other needs.
But, make no mistake, when our county’s response to the issue of abandoned animals consists of “If it’s on your land, shoot it,” which is law enforcement’s stock reply to a complaining phone call; we need to look harder for a humane answer. (It is the lawful response, just not the humane response.) Maybe not $50,000 the first year; that’s a frightening number when seen in a headline. But, two-tenths of the historical society’s stipend, or delaying an equipment upgrade for a year in another department or a few less benches along the rail trail, might mean the difference between success or failure, humane treatment or starvation to an animal.
I would ask the Allen County commissioners to consider enthusiastic support of an entity that does nothing but enhance Allen County and its reputation.
Kathy Monfort,
Iola, Kan.
