PETA's Second Letter to Yadkin County Officials

May 17, 2002

Cecil Wood, County Manager
Josh Baity, County Commissioner
Johnny Myers, County Commissioner
Lloyd Davis, County Commissioner
Thomas Wooten, County Commissioner
James L. Graham, County Commissioner
Yadkin County Commission
P.O. Box 146
Yadkinville, NC 27055

1 page via facsimile: 336-679-6005

Dear Sirs:

We are so thrilled by your recent vote to commit $75,000 toward the construction of a new animal shelter. That is a welcome step forward.

We understand that construction of the shelter may be contingent upon the community’s ability to match this amount. PETA is happy to commit to helping raise $15,000 of that amount upon your assurance that the new shelter will be built and operated according to basic national standards, as set forth by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the National Animal Control Association (NACA).

These standards require that:

• Animals be provided with a clean and reasonably comfortable environment, with access to clean, fresh water at all times, and be fed according to HSUS recommendations or those of a consulting veterinarian. Food and water bowls should be properly disinfected every day.
  
  
• Cages and kennels must be heated in cold weather and maintained in good condition, cleaned and disinfected daily, and free of sharp or broken edges.
  
  
• Dogs and cats must be housed separately to avoid trauma, and the housing should reflect the needs of each species.
  
  
• The shelter will have provisions to receive and/or assist sick or injured animals twenty-four hours a day.
  
  
• When euthanasia is necessary, sodium pentobarbital will be administered by properly trained, compassionate individuals.

Thank you again for your commitment to improve conditions for Yadkin County’s homeless animals and to respond to the many citizens who care about these issues. We look forward to your reply, and to working with you.
Sincerely,



Daphna Nachminovitch, Manager
Domestic Animals Issues & Abuse Department