Editorial: Falling into the gaps

You have to admire Ready, Set, Grow daycare for its determination. It is seeking a different site after its operation in the old Alta High School flooded. The volunteer operation has been beset with obstacles and misfortune. We know there is a need for childcare in the Storm Lake/Alta area. Buena Vista University offered land if major employers wanted to get together to build something. Nobody raised their hands.

Lake Animal Hospital is going broke caring for stray cats and dogs. The veterinarians did not get into the business to run an animal shelter, but they are. God bless them. Other towns have organized shelters. The city says it is not really its job to run a shelter, and we can appreciate that. We know that there are all sorts of animal lovers who would support a shelter if it were organized.

It’s not really the job of the school district or the manufacturer to provide daycare. Who will? It’s not really the city’s job to take on stray dogs. Lake Animal Hospital could euthanize what the police drop off, but who wants that?

How does Storm Lake come together to get these sorts of things done?

We have talked a lot about daycare since Gingerbread House closed. There was a demonstrated need but not enough money. That remains true today. We know that the hospital and college are interested, and that the school district is strapped. It’s a big hole in the community infrastructure, and has been for a long time.

We know that it is not fair to Lake Animal Hospital to feed and care for strays that need veterinary care. Resources are available but not an organized effort.

Storm Lake should be able to solve problems like these. It takes community leadership. Daycare volunteers are trying their utmost. It hurts the doctor every time she has to put down an animal. These kinds of efforts take sustained money, and that is difficult when all the players don’t come to the table or even answer the call.