Sir - John Burgess ("Spinning the facts about animal welfare", July 2nd) talks of the high percentages of animals being euthanised in certain animal shelters in the USA.

Sadly, this is also the case with many animal shelters/rescue centres here in the UK, but the proprietors of those establishments are often faced with an impossible task, with there being far more dogs and cats abandoned and "unwanted" than there are spaces in shelters.

The root of the problem lies in the excessive breeding of these animals, but members of the public can help prevent this, by only obtaining animals from rescue centres and by making sure they have their dogs and cats neutered or spayed.

Sadly, Mr Burgess is wrong in his description of poultry slaughter as "humane despatch".

"Catching" the birds for slaughter and stuffing them into transport crates often results in broken legs and wings and there can be great cruelty in the killing process itself, with many birds having their throats cut without being properly stunned.

All this after their short 6 week lives are spent crammed inside foul-smelling windowless sheds (broiler units) with 30-40,000 other chickens, each with only a space the size of an A4 sheet of paper.

And all so unnecessary, because there is no need for humans to eat chickens or any other animals or animal products, with all the slaughter and suffering that involves, as it is easily possible to live healthily on a vegan diet.

Worcestershire Vegans & Veggies can be contacted at info@worcsveg.org.uk or on 01562 700043 or at www.worcsveg.org.uk

Ronald Lee

Worcestershire Vegans & Veggies