Animal shelter will continue its work

Tonight the Estherville City Council did not pass the rezoning of the property located at 201 South 6th Street. That is what we all know at this point. But there are still questions in my mind. Primarily, why?Carnival Equipment-Pleasure Boat, Why would any community be it rural, metropolitan or suburban vote against a group that is trying to make a difference in the very community that just opposed their efforts?

I know not everyone will look at this issue with the best interest at heart of the animals that the Emmet County Animal Shelter has helped and that is fine. Animals do not matter equally to all people. But from a purely business aspect this was a negative decision for our community in my opinion.If we are to be living under our new mantra of Earth, Water, Cartoon Dinosaur Landscape,Wind, Fire and Community we are sadly ignoring the 'Community' aspect of the council's vote against the rezoning of the former 6th Street Emporium location to be used as the Emmet County Animal Shelter's home.

The shelter's primary focus is on rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing lost, abandon, neglected and unwanted animals but it does much more than that. The ECAS is a non profit organization that our community can take pride in. We are a resource for the community to volunteer at and feel they are making a difference in what matters to them. We are also a source of education. We not only council owners when they are having issues with their own pets but we educate students and adults alike on the humane treatment of animals, the positive effects of spaying and neutering and what it takes to make a lifetime commitment to a pet.