FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 3/16/2010)
City officials say roughly 13,000 dogs and cats at the Memphis Animal Shelter were euthanized last year.
Dressed in red, as a show of solidarity, dozens of animal lovers packed Memphis City Hall.
Many of them urging councilman Shea Flinn to draft a spay and neuter ordinance that will help lick the city shelter's overcrowding issues.
Most agreed a wholisic approach is necessary:
mandatory spay and neutering for all breeds....tougher enforcement as well as stiffer penalties and fines.
"We need education programs. We need effective enforcement of progressive ordinances and adoption rescue that reaches into the community," explained shelter director Matthew Pepper.
But Donna Malone of Responsible Animal Owners of Tennessee doesn't believe a mandatory spay an neutering ordinance will solve the city's problems.
"The average person can't afford that so when they can't afford it what do they do? Dump their animals, abandon animals or turn them into shelter to be euthanized."
Councilman Shea Flinn hosted the public meeting. He says he'll use the suggestions and cherry pick the best ones to to come up with a comprehensive ordinance.
- Councilman Shea Flinn looking for ideas on spay and neuter ordinance
- Public hearing held to get ideas
- Most agree it will take a wholistic approach
(Memphis 3/16/2010)
City officials say roughly 13,000 dogs and cats at the Memphis Animal Shelter were euthanized last year.
Dressed in red, as a show of solidarity, dozens of animal lovers packed Memphis City Hall.
Many of them urging councilman Shea Flinn to draft a spay and neuter ordinance that will help lick the city shelter's overcrowding issues.
Most agreed a wholisic approach is necessary:
mandatory spay and neutering for all breeds....tougher enforcement as well as stiffer penalties and fines.
"We need education programs. We need effective enforcement of progressive ordinances and adoption rescue that reaches into the community," explained shelter director Matthew Pepper.
But Donna Malone of Responsible Animal Owners of Tennessee doesn't believe a mandatory spay an neutering ordinance will solve the city's problems.
"The average person can't afford that so when they can't afford it what do they do? Dump their animals, abandon animals or turn them into shelter to be euthanized."
Councilman Shea Flinn hosted the public meeting. He says he'll use the suggestions and cherry pick the best ones to to come up with a comprehensive ordinance.
