BY DIANE L. GRIGG BF OUR BEST FRIENDS
Give Me Shelter
death sentence. Shelters
are starting to highlight
these once-forgotten
creatures as ready
to be adopted. A shorter
stay for these special
needs animals reduces
stress. Many rescue and
foster groups around
the country work directly
with shelters to ferry
animals to different
locations to better their
chances of adoption.
Animals on death row
in one part of the county
can be moved to a
better locale. Very young kittens and puppies are placed in foster care to increase
their chances of survival. Education is the key. Communication is the answer.
If you are not quite ready for adopting, then consider volunteering at a
nearby shelter. Get to know the residents by walking them, playing with them,
spending time with them. Help them get ready for their forever homes. Spread
the word that these beautiful creatures are available for the perfect family. Save a
life. Adopt don’t shop. Watch out! You just might nd your best friend. Love is the
ultimate home improvement.
Adoption is up, euthanasia is down. That is a good sign that more animals
are nding their forever homes. Of the 7.6 million animals that
enter shelters each year in the United States, approximately 2.7 million
are adopted. Of that 2.7 million, 1.4 million are dogs and 1.3 million
are cats. That leaves 4.9 million animals who are not adopted. Euthanasia
accounts for 41 percent cats and 31 percent dogs. Even though the statistics
seem staggering for euthanasia, the numbers have improved since
2011. The estimated number of animals living in homes is 70 to 80 million
dogs and 74 to 96 million cats. That is wonderful, but one must consider
all the rest living in shelters, which should be a temporary situation, but for
many becomes a long-term residence. Unfortunately sheltering requires
space. While many shelters try to be “no-kill,” numerous are forced to euthanize
simply because there is no room. Euthanasia is not an effective form
of population control, inciting ethical issues for the many out there who
love and are passionate about animal welfare and adoption.
As the warmer weather is upon us and we are thinking about home
improvements, why not consider the ultimate home improvement, going
to your local animal shelter and adopting a best friend? With the
advent of social media, both potential adopters and shelters have the
unique opportunity to peruse and showcase all the amazing animals in
need of a home. Shelters are becoming more modernized, more welcoming
to those looking for an addition to their family. Gone are the days
of the antiquated, dark building with dogs and cats huddled in dingy
cages. Shelters have become more open, friendly, bright and welcoming
places where adoptions are more frequent and one can interact with the
animals in an effort to make an informed and educated decision. Questions
are encouraged, as the goal is for shelter residents to nd forever
homes. An enlightened decision reduces the returning of an animal that
is not suitable. Bringing back an animal takes its toll emotionally and
may dissuade a potential adopter from nding an ideal t.
When you adopt from a shelter, you are saving two lives: the life of
the best friend you are taking home, and the life of another animal in need
of that now-vacant space. The ultimate goal of a shelter is to be an interim
refuge for an animal on its way to a forever home. By adopting from a shelter,
you are saying that you do not support puppy mills, those commercial
kennels that breed animals for prot. These animals are routinely abused.
Mothers are killed after they are deemed unt to breed. Animals are deprived
of learning normal behaviors as they often never leave their squalid
cages for socialization. Many never even touch the ground. This reckless
breeding adds to the overpopulation problem.
If you are looking for a purebred, one can nd those, too, at a shelter.
Instead of paying for an animal, statistics indicate that 10 to 15 percent
of shelter animals are purebred. Consider adopting an older animal.
Mature dogs and cats are often the rst to be euthanized or dumped,
becoming permanently homeless. As popular as puppies and kittens
are, many adult and senior animals are a better choice when looking to
adopt. Older animals have a tendency to have a more relaxed temperament.
Most have been previously spayed and neutered. Their vaccinations
have been updated, and they are already house broken and litter
box trained. They assimilate faster into a family routine having already
gone through the stages of chewing and destructive behavior. Children
benet from a calmer pet, one whose energy doesn’t add to an already
chaotic household. Ask anyone who has adopted an older pet, and they
will tell you they are convinced the animal is grateful for a second chance.
Special needs animals have become more of a focus for adoption.
Blindness, deafness, missing limbs and other conditions can become a
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