HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Houston, Texas and surrounding Harris County have a terrible problem with homeless, unwanted and neglected animals. It is difficult to walk or drive through some areas or neighborhoods without seeing animals that are homeless, hungry, suffering and in need. Others have a home but are unspayed, unneutered and producing unwanted litters that may end up homeless on the street. Some caring residents try to help by giving them food and water. Animal rescuers try to save others but there are just too many to save. We cannot continue to try to just manage this situation. It is time for a change.
- Help us spread the word that spay and neuter of dogs and cats is the only answer to Houston’s animal overpopulation. Spay and neuter your own pets and encourage everyone around you to do the same. Encourage the city of Houston to offer free and/or low cost spay neuter services in communities that are hardest hit with stray and unwanted animals.
- Help a homeless and unwanted animal; in most cases, you are the only person who will. Rescue groups and no-kill shelters are full, and unfortunately many animals are euthanized at some shelters. If you see an approachable dog or cat, give it food and water. Take it to the vet, get it spayed or neutered and find it a home. Encourage others to do the same. You can do so much more than you realize; find out just how much by helping a homeless animal.
- Reach out to your elected officials. People from around the country ask how unwanted animals can live in such terrible conditions in a city as wealthy as Houston. We often ask ourselves the same thing. It is time to ask our elected officials that question. We need to let them know that we expect and desperately need a humane solution to animal overpopulation in certain parts of Houston that focuses on free and low cost spay and neuter services. We will no longer accept the status quo. It is time for a change.
CITY OF HOUSTON ELECTED OFFICIALS, 2012-2013
| Mayor Annise D. Parker Phone: 713.837.0311 mayor@houstontx.gov |
Mike Sullivan, District E Phone: 832.393.3008 districte@houstontx.gov |
Mike Laster, District J Phone: 832.393.3015 districtj@houstontx.gov |
C.O. “Brad” Bradford, At Large 4 Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Phone: 832.393.3012 atlarge4@houstontx.gov |
| Helena Brown, District A Phone: 832.393.3010 districta@houstontx.gov |
Al Hoang, District F Phone: 832.393.3002 districtf@houstontx.gov |
Larry Green, District K Phone: 832.393.3016 districtk@houstontx.gov |
Jack Christie, At Large 5 Phone: 832.393.3017 atlarge5@houstontx.gov |
| Jerry Davis, District B Phone: 832.393.3009 districtb@houstontx.gov |
Oliver Pennington, District G Phone: 832.393.3007 districtg@houstontx.gov |
Stephen C. Costello, At Large 1 Phone 832.393.3014 atlarge1@houstontx.gov |
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| Ellen Cohen, District C Phone: 832.393.3004 districtc@houstontx.gov |
Ed Gonzalez, District H Mayor Pro-Tem Phone: 832.393.3003 districth@houstontx.gov |
Andrew C. Burks, Jr, At Large 2 Phone: 832.393.3013 atlarge2@houstontx.gov |
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| Wanda Adams, District D Phone: 832.393.3001 districtd@houstontx.gov |
James G. Rodriguez, District I Phone: 832.393.3011 districti@houstontx.gov |
Melissa Noriega, At Large 3 Phone: 832.393.3005 atlarge3@houstontx.gov |
Please feel free to use the sample email below when contacting our Council members.
Dear Council Member:
Houston has a terrible problem with unwanted and homeless animals. By the city’s own count, there are an estimated 1.2 million stray animals on Houston’s streets (BARC statistic reported in “A chorus of help for homeless animals in the Houston area,” Fox26 Houston, 9/21/12).
In some neighborhoods, residents cannot leave their homes or travel through the area without seeing homeless, roaming and unwanted dogs, some of which are injured or in bad physical condition. The problem is worsened in those areas by the fact that animals with homes are not spayed or neutered and produce unwanted litters that can end up on the streets.
Animal overpopulation hurts the quality of life for residents and animals. While it is concentrated in certain areas, it is spreading and is a problem for the entire city. If Houston is to become the modern, progressive and prosperous city it aspires to be, we must develop a better and more humane plan for reducing overpopulation. The city’s current strategy, euthanizations and adoptions, is not working.
I urge you to work with other elected officials and civic and business leaders to develop a comprehensive and humane plan to address Houston’s animal overpopulation. Community education and free and low cost spay and neuter for pets belonging to low income residents and other animals are the only solutions.
I will be in touch with you in the future to monitor what progress, if any, has been made on this issue. Thank you.
Sincerely,
