Many people who choose to donate to an animal shelter will do so only to a “no kill” facility. I am one of those people. However, having volunteered at a no kill, I’ve seen firsthand how the situation can rapidly get out of control — too many animals, not enough money, volunteers who come and go. The list is endless.

In the past year The Haven has built a brand-new cat facility, added numerous individual cat enclosures and is finishing a new quarantine building — all made possible through generous donations and/or the gifting of the structures. Air conditioning for the cats’ building was donated by a private individual.

Until the state of North Carolina puts better animal protection laws into effect, such as licensing and mandatory spaying and neutering, and then enforces these laws, this unfortunate situation will continue. Rather than shutting down The Haven, I feel the community and the animals would be better served by constant communication and coordination between The Haven and the enforcement agency, with reasonable and attainable goals being established. I suggest that monthly meetings be held at the site to discuss progress and review issues of the previous months’ meetings.

The Haven is a valuable asset to the community and its animals, and to close its doors would be doing a tremendous disservice to all concerned.

Linda Emerson

Raeford