Dear Editor,

In my travels, I have found no direct correlation between income and animal care.

I have met doctors that do not spay or neuter their pets. Obviously, they have received a tremendous amount of education and I would hope that their income reflects that. I would also hope that they know where babies come from.

It seems that pet care has more to do with what personal value we place on our pets. Companion animals are just that, our companions. Sometimes they can do for us what we cannot do for each other; provide ongoing unconditional, nonjudgmental, love and support.

If you have been gone for months, it does not matter whether you have been hospitalized, incarcerated or deployed; you still receive the same homecoming from your pet. You are undeniably the greatest person on the planet in their eyes (I am going to guess that other family members may disagree with your level of greatness).

If you are ill and can’t get around, pets will keep you company and provide comfort while us humans do stuff like cut the yard and go to work.

In fact, even if you are grumpy, your pet will still be there because cats and dogs are forgiving creatures. If you don’t have one, you may be missing out on one of the best things this life has to offer.

For those of us that value companion animals, what to do with the stray in our yard can be a painful question. Since Crenshaw County does not have an animal shelter, you may have even made a choice that you are not proud of.

It is time for our county officials to choose to build an animal shelter.

People need a place to carry these animals and strays need the chance to be someone’s pet.

Jamalyn Lowe