“Letters: PACT solution, homeless pets and vet bills - Everything Alabama Blog” plus 1 more

Letters: PACT solution, homeless pets and vet bills - Everything Alabama Blog

Posted: 26 Dec 2010 03:42 AM PST

Published: Sunday, December 26, 2010, 5:46 AM

Here's how to meet PACT obligations

I was very interested in the Dec. 18 "Other View," concerning PACT ("No surprise that PACT is back in the news"). I have written numerous times to the paper and to my university, Auburn, about the Prepaid Affordable College Tuition program.

I believe the 43,000 families that were guaranteed four full years of tuition and fees by the state of Alabama for their contributions to the program are contractually entitled to just that. This is not a political volleyball; it is a contract. Honor it.

I have never claimed to be Solomon; however, I do believe there is a fair way to accomplish the fulfillment of the state's promise to her citizens. I do not think Auburn or Alabama should be treated unfairly. However, they should not get favored status, either.

I propose that all universities submit quarterly reports of losses due to shortfall in tuition income from honoring the PACT contracts. These losses would be put into a pool and be equally shared throughout the state by all universities and junior colleges in accordance with their enrollment.

Realize that this will play out over the next 10 to 20 years. If the state needs to help, so be it. Sharing the burden is fair and doable, especially to the schools that receive state funds. As for out-of-state universities, they will get whatever the in-state average is as it states, but no recovery is available for losses.

We the people just need to stand up and hold the state and our politicians accountable for their obligations.

CHRIS REHM

Mobile

Help homeless pets by helping with vet bills

Recently someone stated in "Sound Off" that pet owners unable to pay high veterinary costs shouldn't own pets. Many pet owners cannot afford these costs but provide caring homes for a great many animals that would otherwise die in pounds or starve. Overpopulation is at the root of the problem, but many people who could provide good homes also cannot afford spay and neutering costs.

Without help, this is widespread, painful and pathetic problem will continue indefinitely. A fund maintained by contributors from sources such as lotteries, legacies, endowments and fundraising concerts could be of great help in providing money for population control and low-cost veterinary care.

This is a nationwide problem. Since Bill Gates and Warren Buffett seem to be seeking support for worthy causes, let's hope they become concerned about the plight of these voiceless ones. Powerful philanthropists could help a great deal if only they would.

Also, pounds are often dismal places. They could be improved to an extent by providing diversions for these animals. For instance, my cat likes to watch television, especially nature programs featuring wildlife.

ROGER STACEY

Stapleton

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Minn. woman rescues pets after owners killed - Marketplace.publicradio.org

Posted: 26 Dec 2010 05:44 AM PST

December 26, 2010

Duluth, Minn. (Duluth News Tribune) — Single mom Amanda Thomas was driving home with her two children from a Hanukkah celebration just after midnight on Dec. 5 when all three lives suddenly ended at West Broadway Avenue and Second Street North in Minneapolis.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Thomas' 1994 Chevrolet Caprice was T-boned by a car driven by Rufus Victor of Edina, Minn., who was being pursued by a state trooper and ran a red light.

The Caprice was pushed into a third vehicle. Thomas and her son, 12-year-old Andre Mack, died at the scene. Akeron Thomas, 3 months old, died the same day at a hospital.

But a big part of their lives was back home in Fridley, Minn., waiting for them to return: a pit bull named Coco, two cats named Pumpkin and Squeakers, and a ferret named Niko.

The closest surviving relative was Thomas' mother, who flew from Oregon with the daunting responsibility of planning a triple funeral for her daughter and her grandchildren. Caring for the pets would be another daunting burden.

"She was pretty honest about the fact that she didn't have a lot of experience with animals . so we wanted to get the animals placed and out of there as soon as possible," said Jen Wold, founder of Madison, Minn.-based Gemini Rottweiler and Pit Bull Rescue.

Wold knew about the situation because a close friend lives next door to Amanda Thomas. Wold already had placed a litter of puppies birthed by Coco. Although her nonprofit organization focuses on just two breeds of dogs, Wold said she helps any animal that comes across her path. As it turned out, a family friend took the pit bull, leaving the ferret and the two cats.

Enter Kathleen Zweber of Duluth Township, who saw a notice Wold posted on Facebook, the social networking Internet site.

Zweber, 39, trains and raises horses, and has several cats and a pit bull that's a working therapy dog. She takes in foster animals but didn't have any at the time. Sensing the urgency of the situation, she drove to Fridley on the evening of Dec. 8, returning that night with two cats and a ferret.

"Kathleen, yeah, she's an angel in this situation," Wold said. "She basically e-mailed me and said, 'I've got my vehicle packed with crates and I'm ready to go anytime you want me to.' "

Thomas' mother turned the pets over to Zweber.

"She was very grateful that I was going to take them because she said, 'You know, I care about them, and I care where they're going to go,' " Zweber related. "I think what she was doing was what was best for the animals, knowing that somebody who had both the knowledge and the desire to open their home was right there and available. And I mean, my gosh, this woman had a triple funeral to plan."

The cats stayed in their crates for the first couple of days but are eating again and will rub against her legs, Zweber said.

Niko the ferret was 12-year-old Andre's special pet.

"This is my first ferret," Zweber said, laughing. "He's absolutely wonderful. It was obvious that Andre loved him very much and was very kind to him. . I'm still really conscious of the fact that he had this special little boy, and now all of a sudden that child is gone. So I'm letting him get used to me. He crawls onto my hand and lets me pick him up. I'll hold him on my shoulder, and he kind of snuggles in around my neck."

Both Wold and Zweber say they'd be happy to restore Coco the pet bull to the group if it doesn't work out with the family friend. Zweber said she's willing to keep the pets permanently. She'd also be happy to adopt them out to a good home - but only as a unit.

"I felt strongly that they had been a family," Zweber said. "They lost their family tragically, and keeping them together would be the greatest kindness that they could have."

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Information from: Duluth News Tribune, http://www.duluthsuperior.com

Pets Zone

Sunday, December 26, 2010