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Animal Shelters: A More Humane Place For Puppies

The Home Forum article ''The Pet-Store Puppy That Became My Best Pal,'' May 9, was wonderful, but I would be irresponsible not to advise readers that love needs no pedigree. The vast majority of dogs sold in pet shops are raised in ''puppy mills'' and they are notorious for their cramped, crude, and filthy conditions and their continuous breeding of unhealthy animals. It is important not to treat living beings as merchandise. Loving pets are available at animal shelters. These shelters are hope for the homeless.

Jerry Elmore Layne

Waco, Texas

A peaceful nuclear treaty

Regarding the opinion-page article ''Nonproliferation: Now a Workable Idea,'' April 27: First, it is the peaceful applications of nuclear technology that make the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty work. This is the carrot that entices the non-nuclear weapons states to become signatories and obey the rules. Nations that fail to sign the accords are banned from receiving commercial nuclear technology from any of the treaty countries. This means no nuclear power plants, no medical sterilization systems, and no radioactive materials for use in agricultural or life sciences research.

While only seven countries have developed nuclear weapons, more than 30 have nuclear power plants. This is a remarkable testament to both the value of the nonproliferation treaty and the need for power that nuclear energy fulfills.

Second, not all utility executives have abandoned nuclear power. Japan is completing construction on two advanced nuclear power plants designed in the United States. They are planning to have 19 by the year 2002.

Leo M. Bobek

Worcester, Mass.

Director

Worcester Polytechnic Institute