I have read a recent article regarding transfer of Cary animals from SPCA to Wake County.

As a Cary resident and someone who volunteered at Wake for two and 1/2 years, I can tell you there is no doubt that one would rather have their pet taken to SPCA. The difference between the two is the SPCA leadership and mostly volunteer-based organization has well thought out and verifiable planning going on as well as compassion.

The County has not demonstrated any of these attributes. Otherwise they would not be planning to build a new building with only a nod toward spay and neuter.

Even though the idea of streamlining our pets going to one facility is theoretically a good one, to do so without a plan is irresponsible and a horrific action directed at our pets.

Finally, I can’t understand why there was no request for public input on this issue.

Barbara Wood, Cary

Donate glasses

My name is Dillon Patel. I am a student at White Tiger Taekwondo. I have been doing taekwondo since I was 4. I will be testing for my black belt on May 17. As a candidate for my black belt I have to do a black belt project. My black belt project is to raise awareness about unused prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses. I have teamed up with Unite for Sight to get this accomplished. Unite For Sight is a nonprofit organization that collects these glasses and matches people up with the glasses and gives them to eye clinics in African, Asian and Latin American countries.

Since I have been at White Tiger I have learned a lot of new things. I know I can accomplish what I start out to do. I have gained strength, courage and respect. Learning taekwondo has made me strong and happy. I have met a lot of new friends and peers who can help me and who can teach me about martial arts.

If you would donate your used eye glasses I have put donation boxes at White Tiger in Cary. For more information on White Tiger Taekwondo, please visit their Web site at whitetigertkd.com. For more information on Unite For Sight please visit their site at uniteforsight.org.

Dillon Patel, Cary

Different planet?

I don’t know where Mr. Misegades (The Cary News, April 2) has been living. Perhaps it is indeed on another planet. He notes that global warming is “a bunch of hooey.” Obviously he isn’t living on this planet. If he were, he would know that the arctic ice is melting, Greenland’s glaciers are melting at a frightful rate, the ocean levels are rising and are becoming more acid, causing coral to be destroyed. Glaciers in the U.S. are also disappearing at an alarming rate.

Mr. Misegades also thinks that the number of people living in poverty has not increased. However, just the other day, the Food Bank organization noted that their shelves are almost empty because of fewer contributions and the number of people in need has increased.

Additionally, Mr. Misegades doesn’t like our former President Clinton. His diatribe on Clinton’s sexual behavior is interesting but he does not comment on either President Bush’s trashing of our Constitution or the over 4,000 men and women we have already lost in this unnecessary war. Mr. Misegades is indeed living on another planet! Joseph Bufalini, Cary

Let’s conserve what we have

In a recently published letter, Kent Misegades questioned “how turning off my lights and PC for one hour on Saturday will reduce greenhouse emissions.” He stated that “our electricity is produced by the Shearon Harris nuclear plant,” and went on to point out that the Harris nuclear power plant’s sole emission is water vapor. He further commented that “scientists are finally admitting that all that global warming talk is a bunch of hooey.”

Let’s assume for a moment that global warming is indeed “a bunch of hooey.” Does this mean that it is OK to squander the nonrenewable resources that we unfortunately depend upon? Harris nuclear plant emits water vapor, it’s true. However, only about 35 percent of the overall electricity used by Progress Energy’s customers (North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida) is produced by nuclear means. Harris plant accounts for 12 percent of that.

Even if Mr. Misegades lives right next door to the Harris plant, the chances of his electricity coming solely from that source are low. As for the rest of our electricity, 18 percent comes from natural gas and oil, and 47 percent comes from burning coal. Progress Energy is working to increase the amount of electricity produced with renewable resources and resources that don’t pollute the air, but we have to help.

Whether global warming exists or not, we need to conserve what we have. The growth of this area is phenomenal. A great resource is Progress Energy’s savethewatts.com. Let’s stop this pattern of gluttonous consumption. Learn the “stubborn facts,” and leave some resources (and clean air) for generations to come.

Sally McNamee, Cary

Thank you for pancreatic cancer story

I want to extend a sincere thank you for the article [April 2] on pancreatic cancer. I have received positive feedback from both pancreatic cancer patients and friends and families of patients. If anyone else needs information they can contact me at: cbirney@pancan.org.

The article has shed light on the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the help that it can provide for patients, caregivers and families who are faced with this horrible disease.

My family is proud to honor my husband’s memory by helping other families not feel the total helplessness and despair that we did upon his diagnoses of pancreatic cancer.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s motto is “Together we can make a difference.” Thank you Beth Hatcher for helping to make that a reality.

Carol Birney, volunteer, Raleigh/Durham affiliate coordinato, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network