A second chance saves a life—and gives you a companion who needs you.
Tens of thousands of dogs and cats—including puppies and kittens—are killed daily in animal shelters. One large city shelter can euthanize up to 300 cats and kittens in one day. Many shelters across the U.S. still use gas chambers, heart sticks, or heat boxes to kill animals. Even when lethal injection is used, the experience is still traumatic for the animal.
Newborn kittens and puppies (neonates) are routinely euthanized upon intake. This is because they require round-the-clock care. There are rarely enough fosters, resources, and volunteers to bottle feed these animals or take care of them.
Adopt an adult dog or cat. Adult dogs and cats are often quicker to learn. They have unique personalities and a lot of love to give. Cats can live into their twenties and dogs can live into their teens. A 5- or 8-year old cat is not “old.” People frequently get puppies and kittens, but puppies and kittens grow up quickly. After a few months, the novelty wears off, and people realize the responsibility and financial costs as well as how much time and care the animal needs. Many adolescent animals end up at shelters for this reason.
It’s a common myth that shelter animals are flawed. Lack of knowledge about normal animal behavior and proper animal care, buying or adopting a dog or cat on a whim, not considering the financial costs of having a dog or cat, irresponsible breeding, and lack of spay-neuter laws are common reasons animals are neglected or relinquished to shelters. People’s living situations can unexpectedly change such as foreclosures, sickness, death, and domestic violence.
Buying from a breeder does not guarantee your animal will be well-behaved or healthy. Purebred dogs and cats are bred for looks and for what is currently trendy or popular, not for their temperaments or personalities.
Many popular breeds—including Chihuahuas, Pitbulls, German Shepherds, Labradors, Siamese cats, Persians, and Bengals—can be found in shelters.
If you’ve been turned away by a private rescue with strict requirements, don’t give up. Many city and rural shelters are overwhelmed and often overlooked. These animals need homes.
Visit www.PetFinder.com to adopt a dog or cat and find animals near you.
(Top photo) Former shelter dogs, Maddie and Zee.
(Bottom photo) Kitties at the animal shelter © Mary Alice-Alnutt
See also: Animals in Shelters and Rehoming.
