Regarding the article, “FOS Volunteers Raid Los Alamos Animal Shelter”, June 29.

 

First, I will disclose that I am a representative of one of the independent rescues that was mentioned in the article that receives support from the Friends of the Shelter (FOS) group. This group has both supported and expanded the scope of work the Los Alamos Shelter has been able to do, and support individual and small-shop rescue with spay/neuter vouchers and help with emergency medical funding.

 

Without the support of the Friends of the Shelter, our little rescue could not have done the work we were able to do for companion animals in need as a second chance rescue!

 

The folks that dedicate their volunteer time to FOS are an amazing group, and are certainly not to be demonized in any way. Recognizing that shelter employees have a tough job to do, in Los Alamos we have one of the lowest euthanasia rates in the state. For the Los Alamos Daily Post to write an article with a salacious header, with a bias, making it sound like the FOS “just” bailed, is wrong.

 

Across the state, relationships between animal facilities and volunteer groups are often strained. There are a laundry list of reasons why, I will not take up your time with them here. The shelter will need volunteers, there will be people in Los Alamos who want to work to support them. But, the challenge remains. There needs to be more work done to develop clear paths forward, improving shelter and volunteer relationships – not just in Los Alamos – but statewide.