Providing protection

Some people fall in love with them from the moment of introduction. For others, it takes a while to warm up and get used to the idea of having them around. And then there are those that would have nothing to do them.
Household pets have the ability to evoke strong emotional reactions, be a support for their owners and comfort those in need. Likewise, they can be seen as pests and burdens. And if not taken care of properly, pets can become quite messy and unbearable.
Then there's the whole debate about whether or not pets should be euthanized. Some pet owners and animal shelters put down animals for a variety of reasons - including terminal illnesses, diseases that would cause more pain to live with, behavioral problems, old age, and lack of suitable homes. There are other pet owners and groups that refuse to kill any animal, unless absolutely necessary, and believe they just need to find a proper and supportive home.
Stephenville's Society for the Care and Protection of Animals carried on for many years as a no-kill shelter. Unfortunately, the shelter's days are numbered and animals living there are in dire need of finding suitable homes.
Regardless of your opinions on the no-kill shelter, the work of Gwen Samms and her group of volunteers has to be commended.
It takes a special kind of person to do what they have done over the years - saving and caring for countless animals that have, for whatever reason, been unable to find homes of their own.
Through donations, door-to-door campaigns, selling tickets around town, holding auctions and other fundraisers, this non-profit group has really shown their dedication for both the shelter and the animals housed therein.
It's sometimes hard to imagine what it must have been like to enter the shelter's doors every day, dealing with a situation that many have described as being less than ideal.
But trudge on they did, holding fast to the ideals that Barbara O'Keefe laid out when she first opened doors under the SCAPA banner.
As various officials work together to develop a new animal shelter for the area, one hopes Ms. Samms and other volunteers can be part of the solution - if they so choose.
Undoubtedly, there are many would-be pets who need some sort of shelter and protection until they are adopted. And for those who find themselves under the care of Ms. Samms or other local volunteers, they are indeed in good hands.
Christopher Vaughan