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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 28, 1993                   TAG: 9302260028
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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BAD EXPERIENCE WITH PET ADOPTION

We would like to express our feelings about the adoption of pets through humane societies. Our recent experience was not very pleasant. First, we had to answer many questions about our private lives. Then when we requested the adoption of two puppies, we were denied. So we adopted a 6- to 7-week-old male puppy. The society's policy is that all animals have to be spayed or neutered if they have not already had this operation.

We questioned this because of the puppy's age and size. The [Montgomery County] Humane Society took him to a veterinary clinic, where a vet stated he was healthy and performed the surgery. He came home that same evening, got sick that night and died the next night.

We personally feel that this is NOT a humane act. This policy needs to be changed. We hope if you feel as we do, you will contact your local humane society and voice your concern. By doing this, you may help prevent other puppies from going through the suffering, and finally death, as ours did.\ Timothy and\ Sandra Price\ Pembroke

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