I read with interest the Sept. 3 letter to the Acorn from Jeanne Armstrong (“The animal shelter goes too far in saving a dog’s life”). I read it because I thought for sure it was a joke, and that the punch line would be worth the wait. Boy, was I wrong!

One of the most difficult things a pet owner has to endure is the possibility of having to euthanize their pet, even though it may be the most kind and humane option.

I know this firsthand, having had a number of dogs as pets myself over the years.

It strikes me as a bit odd that your vet “doesn’t do X-rays or biopsies or euthanasia.” In any event, your vet could have suggested several other local vets that would have been able to offer humane euthanasia to your 13-year-old dog.

There are also mobile vet services available whereby a vet will come to your home to euthanize a terminally ill pet.

The animal shelter is a last resort and a poor choice for this type of thing. It certainly would be very stressful to the animal to be taken to a strange and noisy place and left alone.

I’m sorry for your experience at the Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control in Agoura Hills. That being said, we’re truly fortunate to have this shelter serve the city of Thousand Oaks.

The staff and volunteers at this shelter work extremely hard for the care and well-being of all animals in the shelter. They’re wonderful in that euthanasia is a last resort, and they do everything possible to find a new home for every animal.

This shelter is unique in that sense; it’s one of the few that focuses on finding your pet, a stray or abandoned animal a home instead of immediately putting it to sleep. They give these animals a chance at another life.

Once again, I’m sorry to hear about the difficult decision regarding your dog, but this isn’the animal shelter’s fault.
Steve Johnson
Thousand Oak