As a follow-up to the letters circulating about the Humane Society Thrift Store, I’d like to offer a hypothetical. Let’s suppose that shelter director Chris Nelson (who is the best thing to happen to LPCHS since sliced bread) takes off for greener pastures. The board hires a new director and tells that person to “clean the place up.” The new director – who has no background in shelter functions – walks around, sees that there are 92 animals, and decides some of the dogs and cats are “problematic.”

The director transfers 50 animals to other shelters and euthanizes another 25 to contain the “problem.” Of the original 92 animals, only 17 are left. This person also decides that it is inconvenient to accept animals whenever people feel like bringing them in and tells the public that strays will be accepted only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. All in the name of efficiency.

I would assume that such a scenario would have people up in arms. So why hasn’t there been a similar reaction while the wholesale human clean-out of the thrift store has been going on? There is no doubt that the Humane Society should be a source of pride for our community. A 96 percent save rate is a great accomplishment and should be lauded. But any organization with the word “Humane” in its title has an obligation to be humane in all aspects of its operation. That includes how it treats its staff and volunteers, as well as the animals in its care.

I urge people to volunteer at the shelter. Just don’t volunteer at the thrift store where you will be under constant surveillance, told not to talk to other people and thrown out the minute you express an opinion. Even an old dog that can’t learn to heel properly has value.

Wendy Ludgewait

Durango