Fixed Solution

     I think that it should be Texas law that all pet owners spay or neuter their animals. I think that breeding should only be legal if someone has been issued a license. I personally don't agree with breeding animals for a profit, but when it comes to homeless animals, I'd much rather people be breeding with purpose than letting their pets run around and end up giving birth to puppies on the patio of the Humane Society.
   
     If it were a law that everyone must spay or neuter their pet, think about how much money would be saved that would usually be spent on keeping animals alive in shelters as well as the money saved from euthanization. More importantly, think about how many potential lives will be saved. Each animal is capable of giving birth to about five litters per year. That's 30 potential lives with 30 different families that need to be found. All of that could be prevented with a quick and relatively cheap procedure.
   
     My favorite thing to hear from pet owners is, "Getting your cat fixed is so expensive!". I especially find it humorous when the same person is in between puffs of a cigarette. If you can afford to smoke a pack a day, you can afford to get your cat fixed.

     Obviously, animals would benefit from this law because it helps to prevent them from homelessness but I believe this law would also benefit people of all sorts. It would benefit the animal lover, obviously because their hearts would break less often considering the number of homeless puppies and kittens would decrease. Then, it would also help the lazy animal owner by preventing the ailments faced when trying to find homes for all the unwanted babies as well as rid them of all the stress and worry caused by the paranoia of their pet becoming pregnant.

     With that being said, there is no excuse for not spaying or neutering your animal. When someone takes on the responsibility of owning a pet, they're also taking on the responsibility of providing the best living condition for the animal as well as preventing any unwanted pregnancies. So, I believe that all of Texas' animals AND people would benefit from it being a law to spay or neuter your pet, rather they're from the shelter or not.

Class Commentary

I was very pleased to read my classmates article "The Care and Feeding of Puppies". I totally agree with the author on everything. Being the proud mother of a border collie, I have first hand experience with the "jubilant" reactions to my return and have spent a few hours coaxing during thunderstorms. 

I genuinely can NOT believe that in this day in age we're still arguing over rather or not guidelines on the welfare of animals is worth a few bucks. First of all, I agree entirely with Ms. Green about the laxation and lack of importance emphasized by these new guidelines on the size and flooring regulations. I have volunteered at a humane society before and let me tell you, an animal will have to position themselves JUST right to spin around and they can forget a good stretch. Also, if a puppy were to have an accident, escaping the mess is literally impossible. So he/she will be forced to stand in it until they're cleaned. Plus, doesn't that seem like a mandatory subject to discuss? 

Animals are not stupid (as Ms. Green also states!). Scientist have done studies suggesting that dogs can reach the intelligence level of a three year old child (I, personally, argue much older... my dog's intelligence seems to be beyond most 20 year olds). How many mothers would like to see their toddler sitting in their poop for hours? Hopefully not many. Then again, with hardly anyone even showing an interest in the welfare of furry companions, I'd be surprised.

I also think that breeding animals for profit is outrageous when there are several dogs at the humane society with their lives literally on the line. If there were standards to owning a pet, I think that the numbers of animals impounded would dramatically decrease. If someone actually had to put forth an effort to adopting a pet, this would automatically weed out the lazy scum who decide Lassie sheds too much and drop her off at the pound. Just an idea. I also have a few opinions on breeders, but I'm trying to keep this G rated. 

I think that the author could have gone into a LITTLE more depth on the article, but the emotion is definitely there and she has my support 100%.