Local animal rescue service needs help

Published 12:50 am Friday, October 3, 2008

I am writing to ask everyone who as ever adopted a dog from Kim Howard and Three Rivers Rescue to come to her assistance now that she is in need. Even if you haven’t been blessed with one of her rescued animals and have only heard of her singular work and considerable service to our Valley, I ask that you come to the Snoqualmie City Council meeting on Monday, March 25. Her rescue operation is being threatened and we, as a community, need to back her up.

I did not move to this beautiful place to watch a city be dictated to by mean-spirited, unhappy people who can’t see the good work that Kim is doing when she takes abused or abandoned or just very old dogs and rehabilitates them so that they can live out the remainder of their lives in warm, happy homes.

There is a misunderstanding of how Kim runs her rescue home. Her dogs are never let out to run the streets like a lot of Snoqualmie residents allow their dogs to do.

I used to bring my dog, Callie, down into town to walk under the streetlights in the winter months because it is too dark up where I live. But I had to stop because I feared for Callie’s safety when so many parts of town have dogs running loose. She was finally attacked by two neighborhood dogs a block south of the library. I was afraid for myself, as well. These dogs I am talking about do not belong to Kim. I’m talking about Meadowbrook and Park Street neighborhoods, and around the post office and the riverfront parks.

I have been to Kim’s house many times and it always amazes me how quiet it is for as many dogs as she fosters.They are well behaved because she trains them before she lets them go to a home. The rescued animals are not the dogs that are causing the problems in our town, as some people would have the council believe.

So, I am asking for all of you who understand the great sacrifice and hard work that Kim gives to us through this generous community service to honor her by coming and supporting her effort at the next City Council meeting on the 25th.

We all talk about the moral responsibilities of our communities. Here is an opportunity to step up to the plate and do your civic duty for the benefit of our town, our Valley and all the wonderful dogs that should be given the chance to live and be a part of our community.

Maura T. Callahan

Snoqualmie