Animal shelter director says it’s time to treat pets better

The executive director of one of the state’s largest animal welfare organizations is asking you to think about our furry friends as part of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. Tom Colvin oversees operation of the Animal Rescue League in Des Moines. Colvin says Americans often see pets as a product they can use and then throw away when they get tired of them. He says that mentality needs to be changed.Colvin asks current and potential pet owners to do three things. Make a commitment to a pet, keep the pet supervised and spay or neuter the pet.Colvin’s shelter handles nine thousand homeless or lost pets each year. He says shelters are often forced to humanely kill animals because of the overflow. Colvin says you can help animal shelters by making a donation of money, supplies or volunteer time.