Don't trivialize animal adoption

The animal welfare community took it on the chin with your Dec. 6 issue that featured two condescending pieces about animal adoption.

The first was a front-page article on how if you can't afford to buy a $1,000 dog from a pet store, you might want to get an exotic pet instead. To his credit, writer Vincent Pierri mentions adoption, but downplays it. Apparently when you're doing a story about novelty pets that will impress your friends, rescuing an abandoned dog or cat doesn't fit the theme.

Mr. Pierri's glamour pet story's slight of adoption pales in comparison to Julie Kuefner's Fencepost diatribe against it, however (Focus on the issues, not Obama's puppy).

As those who have been actively involved in the movement to convince Mr. Obama to adopt his puppy, we believe the symbolic value of this action could result in many more people becoming aware of the adoption concept, potentially leading to a significant reduction in the out-of-control homeless pet population.

For the record, animals are an enormous casualty of the bad economy. As families are evicted from their foreclosed homes, many are moving to places that don't allow pets so they are relinquishing them to shelters. Others are surrendering their pets because they can longer afford the cost of food and veterinary care.

Yes, Ms. Kuefner's dismissal of animal welfare as unimportant is an insult to us and it's exacerbated when presented in front of impressionable young minds. We would strongly suggest she take her class on a field trip to an animal shelter. Then, after staring into the eyes of abandoned dogs and cats that desperately want a loving family, they can discuss the triviality of adoption. It could prove to be the most important lesson the class (and teacher) learns all year.

John and Jeanette Andrews

Des Plaines