Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Community members have likely read local media coverage of Norfolk Animal Care Center’s rapid no-kill transition. As home to the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society, residents of our shelter’s service region should be proud to call themselves members of a no-kill community.

I invite you to join us in applauding Norfolk City Council and City Administration’s desire to end the senseless killing of homeless pets as Norfolk Animal Care Center pursues no-kill status. GMHS can attest first-hand that the health, happiness and overall well-being of homeless pets served by a life-saving shelter is achieved only through a carefully crafted roadmap and the efforts of a committed network of staff, volunteers and partner shelters.

GHMS’s life-saving roadmap was comprehensive and grounded in low or no-cost and accessible spay/neuter services; expanded shelter hours enabling the working public to reclaim and adopt animals; increased coverage of commun...