Now don’t get me wrong, I love dogs.

And cats are fine, too, although in my humble opinion they’re actually cold-blooded killers that happen to look cute. But maybe that’s just me.

After a little while in the news business, I’ve learned there are two things that can be counted on to get the public riled up: animals and cell phone towers. Go figure.

So after learning about the high kill rates at the local animal shelter a while back, I felt like it was my duty to cover the issue.

And what coverage it has been, as any regular reader of The News can attest. Let’s just say more than one feather has been ruffled.

Which is why I was so excited to hear about a pending deal with a northeast rescue group last week.

Really, we can all agree that anything that can save the life of an animal at no cost to the county is a good thing, right?

But if you whip a dog long enough, it’s not likely to be as trusting. And both shelter officials and animal advocates have taken their share of whippings lately, so the hackles are up on both sides.

Which is perfectly understandable from both perspectives.

Animal shelter officials have been getting a bad rap, since I truly don’t believe they enjoy killing so many animals.

They are simply overwhelmed with the number of strays in the county, have too little space and are out of options. It’s the proverbial “rock and a hard place” and I think they’re sincerely trying to do the best they can.

And animal advocates are right to be indignant at the kill rates. It has to be disheartening to work tirelessly to save lives and see so many animals put down.

So like I said, I’m glad to see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

North Shore Animal League Rescue, a New York-based no-kill shelter, has offered to come to Surry County, pick up acceptable animals, transport them to New York and adopt them out to loving families.

While there are still some details to be ironed out, it seems like this could help both shelter employees and animal advocates, to say nothing of the animals themselves.

No date has been set, but thanks to a little back-and-forth via email it looks like shelter officials and animal advocates are finally planning to sit down and figure out a way to work together.

And it’s about time.

Because after all, everyone involved wants to save a puppy, right?

Keith Strange is a staff reporter at The Mount Airy News. He can be reached at kstrange@civitasmedia.com or 719-1929.