Be kind, not callous, to wildlife, pets

Social media has become very powerful.

Someone posted a very sad story recently about a family of ducks crossing U.S. 301 and all five babies were mowed down by the traffic. Really? Manatee County citizens?

The person who posted this witnessed this tragic event and got out to pick up the little bodies of the babies. She could hear the mother duck that got across calling for her babies.

The question was asked as to whether people have become this uncaring. I feel the need to speak out about this and wonder if people can really continue to treat all animals like this — whether the wildlife or the community pets in the shelter at MCAS.

The shelter pets are the community’s pets and there is a huge need for responsible people to step up and adopt and actually keep the pet that one adopts. Wildlife is also part of the community. I feel very strongly that the community cannot continue down the path of such horrible uncaring as to actually mow down baby ducklings and continue to surrender dogs or cats to the shelter and allow such things as confiscations because of animal cruelty.

Hopefully, 2017 will bring changes in the treatment of wildlife and pets that find themselves in the shelter and are waiting for responsible pet parents to step up and adopt to keep. In the meantime, donations for a good quality of life at the shelter would also be appreciated. Both wildlife and shelter pets belong to everyone to care for.

This story was originally published November 7, 2016 at 4:12 PM with the headline "Be kind, not callous, to wildlife, pets."