Rant incoming. Be warned! I think many people dont quite understand what shelter means in the context of surrendering an animal to it. Shelters run by local governments are intended to be a place to hold a stray or lost pet until its owner comes to claim it. The intent is to help the citizens who WANT their beloved family member back. If the OWNER surrenders an animal to the shelter, it becomes an automatic death sentence for that creature, as no one is now going to come to claim it, so there is no purpose in holding the animal in the hopes that the owner will come looking for it. Bringing your pet to an animal shelter, UNLESS it is specifically designated as a no-kill shelter, is a quick fix for you, as long as you understand that you are condemning a living, breathing, self-aware (as scientists are now telling us) being, who only wants to be your friend and who probably loves you with all his heart, to death. If you cant be bothered to make sacrifices for the pet that you extended your care and protection to, then why do you think its okay to have him killed simply because he was unfortunate enough to be chosen by you in the first place? There ARE NO happy endings for owner-surrendered pets, so well-meaning pet owners who think shelters are a good solution to finding their pet a new home need to understand that they are not. If you dont want that animals death on your conscience, then find an alternative. (By alternative, I do NOT mean dumping your pet on the side of the road. Domesticated pets cant survive on their own any better than you can if you were lost in the wilderness with no food, cell phone, or camping gear. If youre so set on killing her, break out your wallet and pay to take her to a vet who will do it without subjecting her to the terror of abandonment, and make damned sure you stay in the room while your precious pet is killed. You owe her that, so dont be a coward. Own your actions.) Many rescue groups are happy to post announcements regarding your best friends need for a new home, though you shouldnt expect them to have the resources to take possession of your pet. Most of them are filled to capacity with animals with genuine need, such as pets whose loving and devoted owner dies suddenly, animals taken from hording situations, a few lucky strays who end up at a shelter that is willing to work with local rescues (many of them are not), starving strays found sick and injured thanks to their owners dumping them....hopefully you get the idea. If you MUST rehome your pet, talk to neighbors, friends, and family. Contact local rescue groups to get info on your pet out there. Talk to your vet and your groomer. Check out Petfinder to create a listing.(Craigslist is a very dangerous option. Never, but never, offer a pet free to a good home in any online forum or newspaper. This is how bait dogs are acquired by those involved in illegal dog fighting.) The local feed store may offer a place to post a listing. Just remember that kill shelters are not an option. I currently own a cat that came to me from a family member when Parkinsons prevented her from being able to care for the kitty (or herself) any longer. Her other non-adoptable cats (semi-ferals) have been safely placed as barn cats, thanks to my fathers unrelenting quest to find a home for them. I also own a collie who was too much for his new family, so they networked through our mutual groomer, who was able to put them in touch with me, a long-time collie owner, as a possible adopter. I can say with certainty that there are ways out there of safely rehoming pets which dont involve kill shelters. It takes time and effort on your part to find them, but you accepted that responsibility when you welcomed that puppy or kitten into your home. Isnt the idea to have a happily ever after for everyone involved, after all?
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 19:27:33 +0000
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