To the Editor:
Oberlin Aid to Strays (OAS), the student organization, would like to make the Oberlin community aware of our mission and the services we are currently offering. In the past we have devoted most of our efforts to supporting the OASIS Animal Shelter through financial support and organizing volunteers. The OASIS shelter is a no-kill shelter which holds only dogs until they can be adopted into secure homes.
Last semester we formally began a program to care for stray cats on and around campus. We have been feeding, leukemia testing, vaccinating, neutering and adopting out (when possible) stray cats around Oberlin. We do not have a physical shelter for cats and currently have no plans to incorporate one into the program in the near future. The stray cat program is separate from the OASIS shelter but both are sponsored by OAS.
OAS has also made a commitment to educating the Oberlin College and town communities about responsible pet ownership and animal overpopulation. We plan to send out information to students and go into Oberlin schools to talk to younger students about issues that affect stray animals, pets and our community in general.
OAS is also prepared to offer financial assistance to Oberlin College students for spaying and neutering their pets to encourage population control.
Many of the animals we take care of exist because of accidental litters. While OASIS dogs and the stray cats we care for are only put to sleep for medical reasons, many animals in this county and around the country are killed everyday because there are too few homes for too many animals. It is a common misconception that these animals end up in shelters because they are defective. But the fact is healthy, well-tempered animals are being put to sleep or spending much of their lives waiting in a shelter cage because of overbreeding and accidental pregnancies. Spaying and neutering not only helps reduce the problems of overpopulation and animal suffering but it also provides many health and behavioral benefits to pets and their owners.
We are happy to discuss any issue with anyone. We also have literature that can address the issues of spaying and neutering further. We are looking for more student and townspeople involvement and ideas about educating and reaching out to more areas of our community. Please help our stray friends in need by getting involved.
Copyright © 1997, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 125, Number 16; February 28, 1997
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