I would like to preface this letter with praise for the Seaplane Base WAIF Oak Harbor Animal Shelter staff who keep it clean and tidy. And with shame for the Oak Harbor City Council for not making a priority of our throwaway pets above some of the other projects that have faced this city for years and have been debated and talked about, even had money thrown at, with no positive benefit to the people of this wonderful city.

I have heard rumors that some of the city council have not even visited the shelter once to understand its needs. I have lived here for over 21 years and the animal shelter has not changed that much. It is woefully inadequate, the cats kept in wire kennels stacked against the walls with no exercise area to get out into to socialize and play. The dogs are kept indoors in kennels unless there are too many of them, in which case there are some outside kennels where the excess dogs are kept. The outside kennels are subject to all weather conditions, fierce winds and rain can make for a miserable existence for those in the outside kennels.

I challenge the people of our community to visit the Seaplane Base Animal Shelter to get a better understanding of why we need to call or write to the Oak Harbor City Council regarding the funding of a new animal shelter that is humane for all the pets that find their way to it for whatever reason.

People of Oak Harbor, you funded all of the school levies for the children but have ignored another important part of the family needs. The need to have a humane, temporary home for our beloved pets when we can no longer care for them and wish to put them up for adoption. Please take action on this important issue. Visit the Oak Harbor WAIF Animal Shelter on the Seaplane Base and you will know firsthand that a new shelter is needed now, not years from now.

The city has approved new housing developments to be built without regard to the need of the animal shelter to grow with the number of residents of the city. Please write or call the city council and the mayor to take action on this important issue.

Roya Devenport

Oak Harbor