No-kill shelters
5 post(s)
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Mon 13 Aug 2007 01:28PM PDT
TinaValant
845 post(s)
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Would you consider living in a concentration camp less painful, than being euthanized? No kill often is more cruel than a kill shelter. Pets in overcrowded spaces, without enough volunteer time for training, socialization, even a daily walk sometimes. Owners surrendering pets have "less guilt" dropping their pet off at a no kill. Do these owners deserve this albeit, tiny "peace of mind"?
I have witnessed some of the most deplorable conditions, at no-kill shelters. Multiple dogs crammed in playpens, matted, smelly and in inches of poo. Sick geriatrics in pain, that will never be adopted. It would be more humane to release them from their pain. A lot of no-kills won't even accept a dog unless they deem it immed adoptable (to generate funds for them). Luckily, they call us breed-specific rescues. Only with education, spay/neuter, and by being truly responsible, committed pet owners can we effectively tackle this heartbreaking, growing problem. Read more:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/08/13/no.kill.shelters.ap/index.html
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Mon 13 Aug 2007 03:18PM PDT
TinaValant
845 post(s)
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Hi Shannon ;-)
My point was no-kill is not always " as pretty as its painted"; and if everyone would do a tiny part ~ whether that is educate yourself on a breed before you get it, make the lifetime commitment to a pet, adopt from a shelter or rescue, transport, donate time, money or supplies, etc, we could alleviate the suffering and hopefully, end the need for shelters.
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Wed 19 Sep 2007 07:09AM PDT
Astrid
125 post(s)
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I just joined this site today, read this post, and need to comment. I hadn't thought about how much easier it must be for someone to drop off an unwanted pet at a no kill shelter than the 'other kind'. Our Astrid was in a no kill shelter in Nogales AZ and the conditions you are describing, Tina, prevaled there. Education is one obvious answer, like you've said. I've given a lot of thought to how, if people knew how to interact with their new pet, so many more would remain in forever homes. Dogs are adopted, or purchased (ugh) and the new owner expects endless entertainment to be provided by this poor animal. Breed specific knowledge, a knowledge and willingness to learn to interact with our pet, teaching kids responsible pet ownership.....all good things. I have a little spark in my mind for a project that would teach older individuals (60+) that they are never too old for a companion pet. If you can't walk your pet 2 miles a day, there are OTHER things you can do for both of you to get the exercise you need so both dog and parent will lead physically improved lives. Seniors need ideas and sources for this. This might open the door to more responsible pet ownership by older people.
Maybe I'm just rambling here, but this thread about no kill shelters caught my attention. I can't stand the thought of my Astrid having sat in a no kill shelter all her life.
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Thu 20 Sep 2007 11:08PM PDT
Dember
11 post(s)
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I agree with this, to a point. Thankfully, we have a 'no-kill' shelter, but the policy only euthanizes if the dog is extremely ill and beyond recovery. Even if the dog is aggressive, they try to find an owner who is willing to work with the dog instead of simply destroying it.
Otherwise, they don't euthanize them simply because they aren't being adopted quickly enough. The conditions aren't perfect, but the dogs all get a mat, food, water, and occasionally a squeaky or plush toy in their kennels, and I've never seen urine and feces in the kennels, the staff are usually in there cleaning up every hour or two, and the staff and volunteers take the dogs for walks a few times a day.
My only complaint would be that there are a /lot/ of dogs with kennel cough and other small colds and such, and I think that curing them before sticking a contagious dog in a room with a bunch of other dogs isn't that wise, but otherwise, the conditions technically aren't bad.
I want to take them all home every time I go in there. XD
Luckily, a /lot/ of people adopt the dogs, so most don't stay there very long, even the older ones. I've adopted dogs from there before, and you have to go through this two-hour interviewing process before you can be accepted as a new owner, which I think is a good thing, and they'll even suggest different dogs they have if the person's lifestyle doesn't fit the needs of a certain dog's personality or breed and whatnot (for example, someone who doesn't have time to walk their dog daily would probably be better off with one of the older smaller dogs that don't need/can't handle long runs anymore and such).
But..as for the shelters I've heard of, and the ones you're mentioning, that won't even euthanize a dog that's suffering or just outright being ignored and neglected...I don't think they're doing them any favors by forcing them to stay alive, especially when they're in pain. That's no quality of life for /any/ living being..
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Fri 21 Sep 2007 07:31PM PDT
TinaValant
845 post(s)
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I, along with anyone who works in rescue or at a shelter could tell you a million stories....sadly, many people see a pet as disposable. Once they decide to surrender, it's over (becomes someone else's problem). Exception: certainly no one who takes the time to chat about their dog, here!!
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