DEAR ABBY: May I suggest that you follow your column promoting Pet Adoptathon 2000 with this brief postscript -- license your pet! Licensing your dog or cat is part of the proper care and attention that, as you explained, all pets deserve. Every year, thousands of lost pets are reunited with their loving families because they are wearing a current license or have other identification, such as a microchip. Tragically, many lost pets who are not licensed become statistics.
Here in King County, Washington, our Pet Partnership Program is successfully promoting pet licenses. We are working with suburban cities and pet owners throughout our region to spread this important message and to encourage residents to be responsible pet owners. This is a key element of saving and promoting the lives of our faithful animal companions. -- RON SIMS, KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE, SEATTLE
DEAR RON: I'm pleased to publicize this important reminder. Every pet deserves to have an identity. Should it get lost, a license could mean the difference between life and death. Readers wanting information about pet licenses should call their city or county animal regulation department and inquire.