When newspaper circulation declines, puppies pay

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Last weekend while scouting a rescue pup to adopt at the Downey shelter, I noticed a sign asking for newspaper donations (newspapers are used to line the animals’ cages). I asked a shelter worker how long they’d been short of papers and why. She said donations took a nosedive over the summer and wasn’t sure why, but thought it could be the weather.

I have another theory: Newspaper circulation has taken a nosedive too. It seems people get their news online. So subscriptions get canceled and donations dwindle.

Declining circulation is a nationwide plague. Detroit’s two daily newspapers, the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News, announced this week plans to reduce home delivery to just three days a week. Let’s hope the looming shortage of papers doesn’t catch Michigan shelters off guard.

If nationwide newspaper circulation continues to decline -- or ceases -- what will shelters do? With the onslaught of foreclosure victims surrendering their family pets, the shelters are certainly in no position to afford premium paper to line cages.

So what can you do to help? Skip the recycle bin and donate your newspapers to your local animal shelter. The puppies will appreciate it!

-- Graham McCann