By Ha Young Kwen, Glen A. Wilson High School, Grade 10
February 28, 2011___Everyone has seen those heart breaking animal commercials where the sad music comes on and the camera slowly zooms in to the face of a teary eyed dog. The commercial is very touching, but a lot of people end up switching the channel anyway.
The topic of animal cruelty and homeless animals go unheard of because most people try to avoid the harsh realities of what many animals have to go through. However, people still laugh about throwing puppies around like a football.
After volunteering at a local animal shelter last summer, and growing a love for animals, two high school seniors, Cecilia Lee and Justin Lam, started a club called P.A.W. (Promoting Animal Welfare) at Wilson High School.
Lam said, “[Animal welfare] is important because it’s up to us to speak up for the voiceless.” The purpose of the club is to educate students about the proper treatment of animals, recruit volunteers for animal shelters, and help homeless animals find permanent homes.
What many people do not know is that the irresistibly cute puppies they see in some pet stores actually come from a puppy mill. This is an unsanitary place where dogs are forced to make as many puppies as they can for human profit. Sadly, the puppies are born with health problems, but they are still sold in pet stores. When the female dogs can no longer make puppies, they are thrown away or killed.
Puppy mills are to blame for animal overpopulation. Millions of animals are already homeless, so there is no point of bringing new lives into the world if they will have to suffer the same fate. Pet owners are encouraged to spay and neuter their pets. This is a painless process of removing an animal’s reproductive organs in order to decrease overpopulation. Even without a pet’s contribution, there are plenty of others available to be taken home.
According to ASPCA.org, of the 5 million to 7 million animals who enter shelters each year, 60% of dogs and 70% of cats are euthanized, or “put to sleep.” This is a more grim way of controlling overpopulation.
P.A.W. hosts several adoption events throughout the school year to encourage people to adopt dogs and cats from local shelters. These events also provide club members an opportunity to work with animals and learn more about them through hands-on experience. Volunteers learn how to properly walk dogs and answer questions from potential adopters.
Lee said, “Welcoming a new pet into the family is equal to welcoming a new baby into the family. They need to be taught how to potty correctly, have fixed diets, be taken out to play and socialize, and be loved like children.”
