Editor’s note: Today’s letters to the editor are from Southwest Junior High students learning about persuasive writing.

To the editor:

If you’re looking for a new furry friend, don’t be like most people and look for only pure-bred animals. If you’re looking to adopt an animal from a shelter, our local animal shelter is The Humane Society.

At the Humane Society, the prices are low, the animals are loving and looking for a home. When most people think of animal shelters, they think of dark, dirty, depressing places. That’s why, according to animal welfare advocates, nearly 60 percent of the animals brought to animal shelters are killed each year. Animals from the shelter need homes, just like dogs and cats do that are pure-bred. If you think about it, some animals from the pound have been neglected and really do need loving homes where they can live the rest of their lives happily.

I’m not saying that pure-bred animals don’t need homes, but they are already living in homes with their parents. The Humane Society keeps a lot of cats and dogs in their shelter, so when they get an overload, they have no choice but to send them to Topeka. When they get to Topeka they sometimes have one more chance on finding a family, but if they don’t, they must be put down. So go to the Humane Society today and adopt a helpless animal.

Ashton Edwards

Southwest Junior High