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Opening comments - more at end. 1989 Mississauga News - Letter to Editor - Page - ? 'Ideal' shelter By Fiona Cameron-Forth B.Sc. DVM, on behalf of Mississauga Academy of Veterinary Medicine Editor's note: The following is addressed to city council and has been filed for publication. Honorable Mayor McCallion and Members of Council: We at the Mississauga Academy of Veterinary Medicine continue to feel that the Burnhamthorpe Cat Shelter represents very nearly an "ideal" shelter. From a veterinary perspective, those of us who have been involved at times have never failed to be impressed with the care and attention each animal receives. This is most evident and exemplary when we are presented with animals we know would be euthanized at any other of the "formal" shelters. Such examples that I have been faced with are: A cat of unknown age but very pleasant disposition with severe dental problems. She had a perspective home if her dental problems could be resolved. At some expense to the Burnhamthorpe Cat Shelter, this work was performed and she was placed. Another cat, with severe allergic skin disease, again with a pleasant disposition, but not placeable in her existing condition, was treated under the authority of the shelter, and is likely to become placeable in the near future. These are just examples that come to mind as classic examples of animals who would never see their way to adoption under our "formal" shelter policies. This is why we feel that another shelter under different auspices represents a duplication of services in spite of whatever minor differences exist. The issue is not contravention of bylaws. The issue is and should be whether shelters like this have a place and fulfill a need that is otherwise unfulfilled. The people of Mississauga have overwhelmingly shown their support for the plight of the cat shelter. Perhaps a committee representing all opinions could provide input from all parties. Mississauga has an opportunity to forge a new path on an issue close to many people's hearts, and to show that, as a growing metropolis, we have not lost our heart to development. Some issues are simply not amenable to rigid categorization as we might like. Flexibility can be difficult to orchestrate. This is where we should be looking at the existing situation for answers in that its very success speaks for itself. We don't need to build a better mousetrap! The issue is not monetary. People like the Stevenses are doing this out of pocket. Indeed, veterinary services are also rendered at charitable levels to these pets. In that respect, this operation is also an example of a far reduced cost to the City (i.e. 0) and to the taxpayer (i.e. 0) than would be the case if they are to fall under City jurisdiction. It is fair that those who freely choose to shoulder the burden are doing so and are also choosing to what extent they wish to do so. We should not be too hasty in seeing this matter closed. It has created no harm thus far, and looking at the issue in greater depth, perhaps even just examining its continued operation will help to give us all the insight we need.
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