Where am I... what did I do? Did I do something wrong? Did I not love them enough? Why did they leave me? Who are these people? I'm hungry, will they feed me? What is this small box I'm in? Will they ever take me back outside? Will I ever be loved again? Is this my new home?
Unfortunately, these questions are all too real for shelter pets that are surrendered by their families or lost and never found. They are terrified. They don't know where they are and don't know any of the people that are there to care for them. Sometimes the animals are able to adapt to the shelter life, but unfortunately, most do not. They are taken from their families, put in a cage or kennel and are surrounded by stressed out dogs and/or cats. Most don't do good with all the commotion. Some get sick and some get aggressive. They do not act like themselves in these types of environments. The shorter the amount of time they spend in the shelter, the better off they are. There are shelters all over the country that are overfilled with animals. There are thousands of foster homes keeping the overflow of animals, but there are never enough.
I know euthanasia is a very touchy subject to most and is not something people like to talk about, but it is real. It's a real situation many shelters are faced with on a daily basis. Are you one of those people that get angry when you hear about shelters euthanizing animals? Do you throw harsh words at those that have the toughest job in the shelters? Let me ask you this, what do you do to help the problem? If that question hit your gut like a rocket, then you are part of the problem. So many people run their mouth about this topic, but most of them have no idea what it's really like. Do you think shelters like to euthanize animals? If you answer yes, you are sadly mistaken. Do you volunteer at your local shelter? Do you donate to them? Do you do ANYTHING to help the shelter out or do you just run your mouth? If you have never been in a shelter and are one of those that get angry but have no idea what it's like... I urge you to spend a day at your shelter following one of the workers to see how things go for the day. See how they have to make the horrific decision about which one to put down that day because they don't have room and all their fosters are at their max and the rescues are full as well. All their resources are exhausted and there is only one other option. It's sad... it hurts everyone involved...
Shelters need your help. Whether it's going in to walk dogs, help socialize the animals, clean cages, feed, water, groom, donate things they need (towels, newspaper, food, bowls, leashes... the list goes on) or donate monetarily, there is an endless list of things that you can do to help your local shelter. Don't want want to see an animal get euthanized? Consider opening your home to fostering an animal or two.
Shelters across America are absolutely overwhelmed as animals are surrendered daily. Please, instead of making rude remarks about shelters and euthanasia, maybe look in the mirror and ask yourself...
"What can I do to help my local shelter so maybe less animals are put down?"
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