If you live in California, you know all about the state's massive budget problems. State workers' salaries are being cut, social services are being pared back and various programs are feeling the pinch of a $24.3-billion deficit.
But now it looks like animal shelters - and the animals who are kept there in hopes of finding new owners - will also feel the brunt of California's fiscal woes.
Among the cuts proposed last week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is one that would end a state mandate to hold animal shelter strays for six days. Kiska Icard, a spokeswoman for the San Francisco SPCA, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the change - which is expected to save the state $24.6 million - would result in euthanizing more animals.
"Obviously, monies need to come from somewhere," she said, "but to do it on the backs of these animals is just really sad."
I've heard that shelters may euthanize animals after just three days. If that happens, it would be a major tragedy for thousands of dogs, cats and other lost or abandoned pets.
If you live in California and are thinking about adopting an animal from a shelter, now is the time. You could literally save the life of a cat or dog.
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