Sixty-one hearts are on the wall; 61 hearts are still beating happily.  Sixty-one pets left the shelter during the February and the “Adopt the Love of your Life” event at the Haywood County Animal Shelter. Sixty-one healthy lovable pets have homes and avoided being euthanized for lack of room at the shelter.

“Our collective conscience can breathe a short sigh of relief,” said Penny Wallace, member of the No More Homeless Pets Initiative.   “But we citizens need to keep adopting, rescuing and fostering pets from the shelter until there is no more need to euthanize these animals just to make room.”

When asked how she thought this could be achieved, Wallace gave the following list:

• If you have pets, don’t create more.

• Get your pet spayed or neutered.  It is affordable for all through ...