Published Tuesday, April 28, 2009 in the Odgen Standard-Examiner
Please don't give baby animals as prom gifts
I writing regarding a practice taking place in high schools when prom season arrives. It has become common for students to give a live baby animal to their prospective prom partner as a gesture of good will. I would like to inform people of the dangers and irresponsibility of giving such "gifts."
Baby chickens, rabbits, ducts, etc., are very cute, however there is a great deal of responsibility involved in raising these animals and in the long turn they are disregarded and abandoned. Establishments that sell baby farm animals do not qualify the customer buying them. This means that people end up with an adult animal that is just too much to handle. This becomes a populations control issue as well. Farm animals are not domestic pets and by purchasing them, one is fueling the unnecessary over-breeding process.
Ching Farm Rescue and Sanctuary is not a drop off point for discarded or unwanted animals. We receive many calls for requests to take these prom "gift" animals. We hope we raise awareness of this phenomenon and encourage students to refrain from this activity. Traditional prom gifts such as stuffed animals, flowers or gift certificates are preferable.
Please join many other schools that had made the conscientious decision to avoid using animals for school-related activities. After all, animals do not get to choose what we as humans do with them.
Roland Goyette
Outreach coordinator
Ching Farm Rescue and Sanctuary
Herriman