I think that's a great idea! I'll write a letter and, in fact, I will also write one for my daughter to send to her local newspaper. She lives in the country and it sometimes seems like a "dumping ground" for people who decide they no longer want their pets.
She is always finding a stray dog wandering around. She almost hit a stray dog on her street one day, couldn't find the owner, so she ended up keeping her.