Dollars for Delilah’s controversy a learning opportunity

Like many involved in animal rescue, I was dismayed to read last Wednesday’s article about a class fundraising project for Delilah’s.

Others have criticized the students for helping a business that sells puppies and kittens. Some particularly harsh comments on idsnews.com were hurtful, instructor Kelly Wilz said, to students “whose only intentions were to have a positive impact on the world around them.”

Clearly, the students meant well. They intended, Wilz explained, to raise money “for food, medicine, and care” of animals rescued from the fire. While they cannot, in good faith, redirect the donations to another cause, they will stipulate that they be used only for these expenses.

Given the response, I urge Delilah’s to donate to our local animal shelter any money raised to cover costs ultimately reimbursed by insurance or profit. The surviving animals – described as “adopted” on the store’s Web site – have new owners.

Wilz’s students weren’t entirely unaware of concerns that have since been raised, but she explained that conversations with the store’s owners left them with “the impression that Delilah’s was different from other pet shops in that they did treat the animals humanely, and ... did not get their animals from (puppy) mills.”

While few question how Delilah’s treats its animals, the store’s unwillingness to be forthcoming about where they come from is troubling. Most pet store puppies come from commercial and “backyard” operations where breeding adults suffer physically and psychologically.

Chris Lynch, co-founder of Deep Roots Animal Sanctuary, said that Delilah’s “will not disclose where they get their animals, thereby not allowing third parties to check the standard of care at these facilities.”

Alyce Miller, English professor and animal law attorney, noted that “IU students have demonstrated that they care about animals,” and encouraged them to learn about “the terrible suffering of breeding animals and their offspring who are treated as commodities.”

It’s difficult to justify the sale of pets for profit – as opposed to the unprofitable labor of love that is truly responsible breeding – when overpopulation forces shelters to euthanize millions each year.

“A responsible community should act to save the lives of homeless animals before adding to the overpopulation crisis,” Monroe County Humane Association CEO Sarah Hayes said.

The class has taken these concerns seriously.

“I wasn’t really educated about these issues until this all came to light,” said project leader Michael Kurth. “We appreciate people who have approached us diplomatically to have a conversation about it.”

Among these are leaders of Revitalizing Animal Well-Being, who view the controversy as an educational opportunity. RAW Officer Kathryn Banas observed that the “outpouring of support (for the surviving animals) shows how much people care for animals,” but added that “there are more humane ways to help them.”

To this end, RAW has launched an “Adoption RAWks” campaign. Students can visit the Indiana Memorial Union Information Commons today from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to get information and sign a pro-adoption pledge.

As RAW President Courtney Wennerstrom said, “This is a golden opportunity to speak out for local animals.”