Petsmart Adoption Day

[cj125]

How many of you have stopped by when Petsmart was having their Adoption Day?

How did you feel seeing all those animals sitting in cages waiting for someone to take them home?

Did you wonder why they ended up there?

Did you wonder if they had ever been loved?

Did you wonder how long they had been there?

Did you wonder how much time they had left?

Did you wonder if someone would take them home before they were put to sleep?

I didn't know it was Adoption Day this past Saturday or else I probably wouldn't have stopped by. Not because I don't care but because I really care too much. I was going to Petsmart to find a outdoor bed for my 2 kids. It seemed trivial after walking up to each cage and talking to these dogs.

There were 2 that really caught my eye.

The first was a Manchester Terrier. Beautiful little girl with big brown gentle eyes - I think she was a purebred. She was thin, hunched over but calm. I approached her cage and put my finger sideways against the cage to let her smell it - she didn't have to - she timidly started to lick it. The sadness I felt started to overwhelm me.

As hubby and I started to leave (he could see just how upset I was getting) I stopped one more time.

There was this big, furry, old boy they called Bear. He was a Shepard/Chow mix. He just layed there watching the people walk by. I read the sign and it said that he hadn't had a home in 2 years! I burst out crying. I can't imagine what kind of life that is for him.

My 2 are so spoiled. They wouldn't stand to be put into a cage! They have soft beds in every room. They have so many toys that I stopped buying them because they haven't made anything newer than what they already have. I felt so guilty for having over indulged my 2 with these dogs doing without so much. I left a donation and I noticed that they do have a place to donate items - which I plan on doing.

One thing that nagged at me as I left there was the conversations that I had just read on here about breeding. Everyone seems to think that they have a RIGHT to breed.

Do you really?

[livingdustmops]

IMO..... NO. Very few people should be breeding.

It is my understanding the dogs that are at Petsmart are already in rescue and euthanization shouldn't be a concern..but maybe this is just in AZ and CO.

[Mom2TwoYorkies]

Ok, first, thanks for the cry! Secondly . . .I, also, can NEVER go to things like that at all . . .I don't go to animal shelters either . . .way too emotional and sad seeing them all there just looking out at you and wondering . . ."is she here to get me?" I went to a local pound years ago with a friend because she wanted to adopt a cat . . .while it was a happy occasion for her, for me, I found it down right depressing . . .to get to the cat area you had to walk by the dog area . . .and most of them were adult dogs. I tried not to look, but it was hard not to. Nobody, I think, wants to see animals in that situation at all . . .I can't even watch those sad pet commercials that they throw on tv unexpectantly . . .

But on the same token, there are people out there that rescue these poor guys and foster them so they can get the proper homes . . .I like to think that they all get the homes they deserve and that someone is loving them they way I love my babies . . .unconditionally, no matter if they have an accident on the floor or chew on a shoe, etc . . .

[cj125]

I agree - I don't think everyone has the RIGHT to breed.



That's exactly why I think people SHOULD go to see these dogs/cats that are waiting for homes. Maybe they should take a good hard look at the result of people's "right" to breed. It is hard for me to watch the commercials or go to these pet adoptions but it's also a reminder of what's "really" going on. We can't just continue to put our heads in the sand and act like it's ok to keep breeding these animals because we want to -or- it's our RIGHT - because it's not.

People keep saying that they're only breeding because there's a demand for it - really? Then they shouldn't have to advertise. I mean if there was a demand and they were filling it - then they'd have a waiting list and no need to advertise that they had pups, right?

Then why are there so many for sale threads and so many left in shelters and rescues?

[Patti]

When I first decided to volunteer at the no kill shelter by me I wondered if I would be able to stand the heartbreak. On my day of training I wanted to run out but stuck it out. After volunteering for the past year, you see so many sad things but also see so many get adopted, the love of the way underpaid staff who give them extra attention and truly care about each animal in their care. The first thing I do when I go in is check the board to see which dogs and cats went home that week. I absolutely could not go there if this was a kill shelter. I try and donate as often as I can because all shelters/rescues are in dire need with the economy the way it is. I pray I am never in a position to have to rehome any of my babies, but I am sure many people who have dropped their dog or cat off never thought they would have to. Then there are the ones who just dump them without a second thought because they are too much bother now. It always amazes me at how loving and forgiving these dogs and cats can be after being dropped in an unfamiliar, scary place.

[Twinkie2Cute]

Originally Posted by Patti

When I first decided to volunteer at the no kill shelter by me I wondered if I would be able to stand the heartbreak. On my day of training I wanted to run out but stuck it out. After volunteering for the past year, you see so many sad things but also see so many get adopted, the love of the way underpaid staff who give them extra attention and truly care about each animal in their care. The first thing I do when I go in is check the board to see which dogs and cats went home that week. I absolutely could not go there if this was a kill shelter. I try and donate as often as I can because all shelters/rescues are in dire need with the economy the way it is. I pray I am never in a position to have to rehome any of my babies, but I am sure many people who have dropped their dog or cat off never thought they would have to. Then there are the ones who just dump them without a second thought because they are too much bother now. It always amazes me at how loving and forgiving these dogs and cats can be after being dropped in an unfamiliar, scary place.

Very nice post Patti! It really makes you think about what is important in life...

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by cj125

I agree - I don't think everyone has the RIGHT to breed.



That's exactly why I think people SHOULD go to see these dogs/cats that are waiting for homes. Maybe they should take a good hard look at the result of people's "right" to breed. It is hard for me to watch the commercials or go to these pet adoptions but it's also a reminder of what's "really" going on. We can't just continue to put our heads in the sand and act like it's ok to keep breeding these animals because we want to -or- it's our RIGHT - because it's not.

People keep saying that they're only breeding because there's a demand for it - really? Then they shouldn't have to advertise. I mean if there was a demand and they were filling it - then they'd have a waiting list and no need to advertise that they had pups, right?

Then why are there so many for sale threads and so many left in shelters and rescues?

thank you for this thread. There are just TOO many animals in need of homes especially now. Rescues and shelters are all full. I do what i can when I can. It's not much, but if everyone just did a little bit, donate that one toy they don't like, or that extra bed they don't use, anything can help.

[cj125]

Thanks! You're so right. I guess I've donated $$ towards rescues before - but I didn't realize just how much they could use. Towels, beds, toys, sheets, bowls, collars, leashes etc. I am going to mention it to some of my friends and get some stuff together to bring to them.

Patti - you're a doll for doing that. I have thought about volunteering but like you wasn't sure if I handle it. It's good to hear that it's different at a no kill shelter. I'll have to look into that more.

[MI Yorkielover]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

IMO..... NO. Very few people should be breeding.

It is my understanding the dogs that are at Petsmart are already in rescue and euthanization shouldn't be a concern..but maybe this is just in AZ and CO.

I believe this is true in Michigan, too.

[misslissa]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

IMO..... NO. Very few people should be breeding.

It is my understanding the dogs that are at Petsmart are already in rescue and euthanization shouldn't be a concern..but maybe this is just in AZ and CO.

ohio too

[Lorrainelola]

It makes me so sad to see and hear of so many dogs who are unwanted for one reason or another. One of my German shepherds is from a rescue and as soon as I saw his picture I had to have him. We travelled a long way to get him and he has been the best dog I have ever had.
We even looked to get a Yorkie from the same place but it said doesn't get on with other dogs. I then found my Alfie from a breeder.

OP thank you for the thread and as a fourm we prove that we have lots of love to give our dogs yet we can still spare a thought for those dogs who don't have a home.

[BamaFan121s]

My husband really does his best to keep me OUT of their on those days.

I told him last weekend how incredibly close he came to getting a new Beagle the other day. (And I KNOW what a sucker he is for Beagles.) This poor girl was 9 and they said no one wanted her because she was so old. And she was the sweetest girl ever. <sigh>

[Britster]

I try to do what I can. I used to donate more time to a local animal shelter, and they need help w/ training the shelter dogs to get ready, and I may begin doing that. I donate a lot of extra food I get (since I get so many samples, and Jackson didn't like sooo many foods as a pup, lol). It makes me feel good that I'm doing something.

I went into an animal control center once where they all lined up in cages and just barking and barking... I cried the whole way through it. It was just terrible, it broke my heart.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

It is my understanding the dogs that are at Petsmart are already in rescue and euthanization shouldn't be a concern..but maybe this is just in AZ and CO.

The ones here come from the county shelter.