Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-04-01
Receiving Station Central.

THE receiving station should be as
centrally located as possible and easily
accessible by street car lines, SO that
it may be reached from all quarters
of the city and from the suburbs. A
small house with a shed and yard
should be obtained, if possible"
Summarizing the work. in Boston to
show what may be done in Washington.
where, on account of so many families
huctuating to and from the city with
the opening or closing of Congress and
with the constant ebb and flow of the
social tide between the seashore, noun
tafns and the capital, there are more
cats and dogs to which the animal
shelter could give haven than in most
other cities, Mrs. Smith said:
We keep all dogs that we receive, un-
less very sick or vicious. five days, and
always limited number of those that
are desirable for homes an indefinite
time, until we can find just the right
nome for them. We keep some of the
pest cats and kittens to place in good
hones, and the rest are put to death If
any OF the cats received come to US In
such way that we think they may have
oeen lost or stolen we hold such cats
iong enough to give an owner a chance to
reclaim them.
I'VE are SO careful where we place
logs or cats that one man made the re-
lnark when coming to us for cat: I
~.dopted child once, and had less trou-
lie getting it than have had in trying
to take cat from YOU We felt compli-
aiented rather than otherwise.
We let no dog or cat go without the
payment of dollar. This is a protection
or ourselves and for the animals If
ilsltors are very particular to watch
their chance to get an extra good dog,
we tell them we expect a donation of
from 81 to So. This puts a stop to our
being troubled by a class of men who
think they can get a good dog from us
Tor nothing and sell him.
Every one taking a dog or a cat from
US mas to sign an agreement that 1t shall
be cared for humanely, and returned to
the league if an owner claims it or if it
is no longer desired
Work Done for Horses.
An interesting feature of Mrs. Smiths
talk about the rescue work done for
horses showed that the cabmen are
learning that it Is profitable for them to
give their horses proper attention and
rest A system, she explained, had been
devised whereby cabmen turn their
horses over to the league for q vacation,
and each year the league observes that
the horses are in better condition.
we nave always avoided one mis-
take" said Mrs. Smith. that Is fatal to
the success of such work. We are not
careless about our finances. We keep an
accurate account of every sum we re-
ceive and spend, however small, and ac-
knowledge every donation.
We Go not keep large number of
dogs or cats alive or give a large num-
Der away. Our object is to prevent and
release animals from suffering We think
that death. when humanely administered,
is not an evil. but blessing to all crea-
lures that are OF no use or comfort to
themselves m fha ycrId
certain that it is no comfort to dogs or
cats to be herded together even if well
fed"
Walter Stilson Hutchins spoke of Mrs.
smith as the most useful woman in
America" He said that WASHINGTON. be-
ing national and an International city,
should set an example in humane work
ana declared 1t Is a shame that sightssers
coming here from all parts Of the country
see many examples of inhumane treat
ment OF animals upon the main thorough
fares of the National Capital.
Humane Society Handicapped.
THE Humane Society has not been able
to do all that it might here" he said,
because there Is too much left for the
society. Those who see abuse of ami
mails pass along when they should lodge
information and prosecute the offenders.
But during the last three weeks we
have been greatly encouraged by two
women who not only complained to the
authorities. but saw that the offenders
were brought before the court
Laws for the prevention of cruelty to
animals are binding upon the police and
should be enforced by the police force.
The reason that they are not more Wig
orously enforced Is that instructions have
not been given to the policemen in SUM-
GENTLY unequivocal language to impress
upon them that they must look out for
such offenses.
They should not be asked to do this,
but should be commanded to do it.
The present laws in relation to cruelty
to animals were passed by the territorial