April 6, 1999 EDITORIAL Over The Edge Page 3 The end of the world It's sort of tradition for the last issue. If things are going well, all the stories are in, the photos are good and the staff is in good spirits, the computer will wipe out the last six hours of work. It has been and interesting three months. When | took over as Editor in Chief, everyone knew what to do and how to do it. All | had to do was stand back and let them do it but being the new guy | had to try some of the things that | learned over the years. It sort of threw a monkey wrench into things, but | think that we have it all worked out now. It has been three months of trying to balance school, sanity and the newspaper. The news- paper requires a lot of time and energy. . The paper must have talented people with lots of energy to be successful. Over the Edge has been very fortunate to have such people willing to use their spare time to try to bring the events of UNBC to the stu- dents. The newspaper needs editors with vision. | am working on that part. | think that we are moving forward and building a foundation where students can learn about the newspaper, help build a quality publication and have fun. | think that it's the small things that make the most difference. (I am trying to work on the spelling mistakes.) Over the past months, Over The Edge has acquired another LETTERS SPCA Update SPCA shelter, located on 1777 Munro Street, shelter has the funding to take in these sad shelter is a non-profit organization, the them, and then we sim- ply throw them away, not about reach out to everyone, including animals, so take the time to donate computer from the good people at CTS. Three lines free has students talking and the news- paper seems to have new life. We need more people, more ideas and resources. | want to continue to focus the newspaper on UNBC covering all the stories that matter to stu- dents and providing space for students to express their ideas. AARON MAHONEY not simply buying something cute and provides a short stay for too many animals. Abandoned, abused, and neglected dogs, cats rabbits, iguanas and many other ani- mals are constantly dropped off at the shel- ter. These animals are either left in hopes of the animal being adopted by a loving and more animal adept home, or are simply left there to die. The SPCA shelter is solely supported and maintained through donations, _ financial gifts, and by ongoing fundraisers. While the and neglected animals, id does not have the funding to hold these animals for a lengthy period of time. The sad truth is that dogs are usually put down after two to four weeks, and for cats it is a mere six to eight days from when they are brought in. This time frame varies depending on the amount of animals at the shelter, but this is the most recent fig- ure. These shocking statistics need to be recognized, and more solutions need _ to occur. Since the SPCA Recycling in Res The PIRG Recycling Group, started __iin September of 1998, has experienced a full on victory recently. At a Residence Council meeting on March 29, Residence Council adopted in full a policy that stated: Res Council will extend its full sup- port to the residence recycling program, including but not limited to, the cardboard recy- cling container. Res Council will also work money that is donated must cover all expens- es. Everything from pet food, blankets and pet toys, to medicine and kennels relies on the mere kindness of giv- ing. The punishment that these animals have induced is unfair, and unjust. We as human beings are supposed to love and nurture these voiceless and power- less animals. But instead some of us treat them like garbage. We _ keep them until we get bored and tired of abusing caring whether they live or die. Some of us do not recognize that these animals, like humans, also feel pain and neglect. That these ani- mals too have hearts, and thus they certainly know the feeling of being unwanted and unloved. Hopefully this article will provide new un- communicated and unknown information concerning the SPCA shelter. It is important to become aware of what is going on around us; we need to A Success towards securing per- The Housing manent funding for this Department has agreed and future recycling to pick up any additional facilities in costs that Residence. may arise, Res such as the Council bin needing to also agreed @ be picked up to send a more than letter pledg- eit twice monthly. ing support This success for the pro- can be aitrib- gram to the Housing Department of UNBC and to give $250 fund- ing to the program to keep it going next year. uted to the hard work of the PIRG Recycling Volunteers, and a peti- tion circulated through- out the residences. The petition gathered 219 signatures from stu- dents in residence who supported the recycling program. The PIRG Recycling Group would like to thank Residence Council and the Housing Department for their Co-operation, and all the residents who gave their support to the petition. By Chris Hawkins to’ your local SPCA. Even if you can only donate one can of pet food, you're still helping to save lives. More information on the Prince George SPCA shelter can be found in the North Cariboo SPCA Newsletter, which the shelter pro- vides to the public free of charge. Next time you decide to purchase a_ pet, remember that you're cuddly. You are buying a living, breathing ani- mal that needs a lot of attention, and a lot of love. If then you still know that you are ready to take on this huge responsibility and commitment, consider going to the SPCA shelter and saving a life Amanada Beard Victoria Thorpe Letters Policy Over The Edge welcomes all Letters to the Editor and attempts to print every submission. Submissions may be withheld and printed at a later date due to spacial restrictions. Over The Edge reserves the right to edit for spelling, grammar, content, with- hold, in whole or in part any Letter to the Editor. Anonymous. Letters will not be printed in any way shape or form.