The most important priority in government service is to protect the public. Yet this priority is forgotten with today’s public policies. Even today, we still encounter folks who want to defund those hired to watch our backs. Opening our borders was such a mistake at a time when we have diminished police protection.
We are experiencing the same thing in our profession: saving animals’ lives overrides keeping people safe. The worst of this, I experienced in Virginia. Animal rescue groups would lie to potential adopters about aggressive traits in the dogs they had for adoption.
I was constantly battling staff, volunteers, and even my board of directors about adopting potentially dangerous dogs. The problem became so widespread that the Commonwealth of Virginia was forced to write laws making it illegal for animal rescue groups to hide past behavior problems with dogs for adoption. It is a sad day when you are safer buying an animal from the newspaper than getting it from your local animal shelter.
Today’s politics lead to anxiousness. I was fortunate, I have always felt that God had my back. Looking back, I realize how difficult it would have been to do the right thing without my faith. The world does not have the answers, but the solution is only a whisper away.