Woman paying price for society neglecting pets

Many fingers have pointed and voices condemned Jennifer Wood as an animal hoarder and abuser. My experience is different. I marveled at her commitment to stay up until early morning caring for dogs, walking them regardless of the weather, and, based on our approved adoption application, feeding them high-quality food.

Despite the mistakes Wood made, I wonder where the authorities were while a local hoarder kept more than 15 puppies (besides other dogs on his property) in a horse trailer in subzero weather, feeding them stale bread? These dogs, rescued by Wood, contributed to her current trouble.

And the dog we're adopting is alive today because Wood rescued him and many others from a puppy mill. Our dog had lost all his teeth and developed deep pockets of infection penetrating his sinuses. Yet Wood got him the surgical help needed to save him, thanks to local vets' help.

She's also had a steady stream of adoptions posted on Facebook, with happy replies and pictures from adoptive owners, including one by a district manager for Petco, where she participates in monthly adoption fairs.

Some serious problems arose, but Wood did not get here by herself. She is paying for society's gross neglect of animals. If Iowa's and this country's laws regarding animal abuse and spaying and neutering had any backbone, Wood's goals would have been much easier to accomplish.

Sue Khan

West Des Moines