When wandering the streets, seeing thin, exhausted pets who have not eaten properly, the heart shatters. It's a sight too many compassionate souls have to witness far too often - pets who are abandoned, unfed, and uncared for, their health deteriorating before our eyes. A pain that many of us can personally relate to, including the heart-wrenching moment of realization that we simply cannot bring all of them home.

Our public shelters currently are not equipped to take in these stray animals. This needs to change. The shelters can provide them appropriate medical care, regular meals and a warm place to live until a loving home is found. Beside, by not allowing intake of strays, many animals are left to their fate on the streets.

In the U.S. alone, approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year according to ASPCA. These numbers illustrate the sheer magnitude of the issue and the desperate need for a solution. By modifying the structures and procedures of our public shelters, we can begin to tackle this devastating problem head on.

We urge local government and community leaders to enact policies allowing public shelters to responsibly take in stray pets. By aligning our communities, shelters can become these neglected, hungry creatures' sanctuary and we can put an end to the preventable suffering of so many innocent lives.

Please, sign this petition to call upon our elected officials to make this necessary change and improve the conditions for innocent strays. Let's bring them to a place where they can be properly cared for. No pet should be left suffering on our streets.