Wake up call

[lmperez]

I'm reposting this from LA CL...I hope someone else reads this and sends it along too.

I think our society needs a huge "Wake-up" call. As a shelter manager, I
am going to share a little insight with you all...a view from the inside
if you will.

First off, all of you breeders/sellers should be made to work in the
"back" of an animal shelter for just one day. Maybe if you saw the life
drain from a few sad, lost, confused eyes, you would change your mind
about breeding and selling to people you don't even know.

That puppy you just sold will most likely end up in my shelter when it's
not a cute little puppy anymore. So how would you feel if you knew that
there's about a 90% chance that dog will never walk out of the shelter
it is going to be dumped at? Purebred or not! About 50% of all of the
dogs that are "owner surrenders" or "strays", that come into my shelter
are purebred dogs.

The most common excuses I hear are; "We are moving and we can't take our
dog (or cat)." Really? Where are you moving too that doesn't allow pets?
Or they say "The dog got bigger than we thought it would". How big did
you think a German Shepherd would get? "We don't have time for her".
Really? I work a 10-12 hour day and still have time for my 6 dogs!
"She's tearing up our yard". How about making her a part of your family?
They always tell me "We just don't want to have to stress about finding
a place for her we know she'll get adopted, she's a good dog".

Odds are your pet won't get adopted & how stressful do you think being
in a shelter is? Well, let me tell you, your pet has 72 hours to find a
new family from the moment you drop it off. Sometimes a little longer if
the shelter isn't full and your dog manages to stay completely healthy.
If it sniffles, it dies. Your pet will be confined to a small run/kennel
in a room with about 25 other barking or crying animals. It will have to
relieve itself where it eats and sleeps. It will be depressed and it
will cry constantly for the family that abandoned it. If your pet is
lucky, I will have enough volunteers in that day to take him/her for a
walk. If I don't, your pet won't get any attention besides having a bowl
of food slid under the kennel door and the waste sprayed out of its pen
with a high-powered hose. If your dog is big, black or any of the
"Bully" breeds (pit bull, rottie, mastiff, etc) it was pretty much dead
when you walked it through the front door.

Those dogs just don't get adopted. It doesn't matter how 'sweet' or
'well behaved' they are.

If your dog doesn't get adopted within its 72 hours and the shelter is
full, it will be destroyed. If the shelter isn't full and your dog is
good enough, and of a desirable enough breed it may get a stay of
execution, but not for long . Most dogs get very kennel protective after
about a week and are destroyed for showing aggression. Even the sweetest
dogs will turn in this environment. If your pet makes it over all of
those hurdles chances are it will get kennel cough or an upper
respiratory infection and will be destroyed because shelters just don't
have the funds to pay for even a $100 treatment.

Here's a little euthanasia 101 for those of you that have never
witnessed a perfectly healthy, scared animal being "put-down".

First, your pet will be taken from its kennel on a leash. They always
look like they think they are going for a walk happy, wagging their
tails. Until they get to "The Room", every one of them freaks out and
puts on the brakes when we get to the door. It must smell like death or
they can feel the sad souls that are left in there, it's strange, but it
happens with every one of them. Your dog or cat will be restrained, held
down by 1 or 2 vet techs depending on the size and how freaked out they
are. Then a euthanasia tech or a vet will start the process. They will
find a vein in the front leg and inject a lethal dose of the "pink
stuff". Hopefully your pet doesn't panic from being restrained and jerk.
I've seen the needles tear out of a leg and been covered with the
resulting blood and been deafened by the yelps and screams. They all
don't just "go to sleep", sometimes they spasm for a while, gasp for air
and defecate on themselves.

When it all ends, your pets corpse will be stacked like firewood in a
large freezer in the back with all of the other animals that were killed
waiting to be picked up like garbage. What happens next? Cremated? Taken
to the dump? Rendered into pet food? You'll never know and it probably
won't even cross your mind. It was just an animal and you can always buy
another one, right?

I hope that those of you that have read this are bawling your eyes out
and can't get the pictures out of your head I deal with everyday on the
way home from work.

I hate my job, I hate that it exists & I hate that it will always be
there unless you people make some changes and realize that the lives you
are affecting go much farther than the pets you dump at a shelter.

Between 9 and 11 MILLION animals die every year in shelters and only you
can stop it. I do my best to save every life I can but rescues are
always full, and there are more animals coming in everyday than there
are homes.

My point to all of this DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE SHELTER PETS DIE!

Hate me if you want to. The truth hurts and reality is what it is. I
just hope I maybe changed one persons mind about breeding their dog,
taking their loving pet to a shelter, or buying a dog. I hope that
someone will walk into my shelter and say "I saw this and it made me
want to adopt". THAT WOULD MAKE IT WORTH IT

For those of you that care--- please repost this to at least one other
craiglist in another city/state. Let's see if we can get this all around
the US and have an impact.



I know we have breeders on this site and this is not directed to those who are truely reputable breeders because I know the reason why people breed and that is for the betterment of the breed and I also know that these breeders truely care about their pups and do take the time to find the right home and it is not about the money. I am hoping that posting here such a large community that the word might reach those that need to listen and we have people all over that can repost to craigslist and other typees of lists. I feel so helpless when I see the ASPCA commercials and the animals in the shelter that I feel like I can help by doing this. SO please know that I am not accusing anyone here of this and I do understand why people breed but for those who don't know what they are doing they need to hear this.

[megansmomma]

[Jennxling]

I have seen this post numerous times and it really brings chills to my heart...It's really touching and it's really devastating that many greedy people are okay with it as long as they make a profit. Even with this posting, there's still TOO MANY people selling dogs...

[lmperez]

When those ASPCA commercials come on I have to leave the room or change the channel otherwise tears stream down my face uncontrollably. My heart just breaks. I really wish I could do more. I have worked in rescue and have helped many animals but I feel it is not enough, I hope to someday be able to to make an impact in educating people and put an end to animal cruelty and over population.

[Nancy1999]

I've read that before and it always makes me cry. That has to be one of the toughest jobs in the world. I urge those of you who only want a pet to check out rescues and shelters first. If you want to support the breeding of the Yorkshire Terrier as a breed, support the best breeder you can find, and someone you can actually visit in person. Please support those breeders who have higher goals than just producing pets. To those thinking about breeding, I really beg you to ask yourselves why?

[Woogie Man]

I totally agree with the sentiment of the post, but geez, what kind of shelter are they running? A 90% kill rate for dogs? Only 72 hours before being PTS?
Putting dogs down for minor temporary ailments (if it sniffles, it dies)? I don't think this describes a typical shelter, but a rather abysmal one.

Also, the 50% rate of dogs being surrendered being pure bred is high. The number given for animals being PTS is way off, too. The usual # I see is between 3-4 million. Here are some links for that info...

Animal Shelter Euthanasia

HSUS Pet Overpopulation Estimates : The Humane Society of the United States

ASPCA | Pet Statistics

Also, the description of an animal being PTS was more gruesome than I think necessary. Many of us have had our pets PTS and I've never seen anywhere near this kind of reaction. Maybe this shelter needs to work on its methods and make more effort to traumatize the animals less. A good source for them would be this.... No Kill Advocacy Home Page Help is out there for shelters that are overwhelmed, understaffed and suffer from lack of training.

I get what is trying to be done with that post, but my opinion is that the reality is horrible and inhumane enough without resorting to exaggeration. The truth should be enough to wake up the average person. And no need to inflate the numbers. 3-4 million ought to be enough to upset anybody.

[lmperez]

The numbers may be exaccterated but times are really bad in California. People are losing their homes and have abandoned many animals in shelters. Our rescues out here are overwhelmed as well as the shelters and people are trying to make a buck on selling puppies and kittens. It is really sad. I have several friends that travel and regularly come home with animal that are running the streets. And they are purebreds and mixes. People are leaving them behind chained up in their backyards. Someone found a young dog chained in the backyard of an abandoned house and was left there during our 7 days of rain. I hear what you are saying but those that need to wake up have to hear it at its worst.

[ChibiLuv]

This is so sad. Sadder still though is I worked for a humane society for a while and have seen these "cast-aways" first hand. A lot of times they come with behavior issues from being undersocalized or cruely treated. If your looking for a small dog your chances of having to put in a lot of work are high. I would love to adopt but last time I was looking I looked for 6 months and didn't find what I was looking for so I went to reputable breeder. It's hard when people treat these little ones with such disrespect, I hope to adopt my next one but finding one will be the hard part.

[Woogie Man]

Originally Posted by lmperez

The numbers may be exaccterated but times are really bad in California. People are losing their homes and have abandoned many animals in shelters. Our rescues out here are overwhelmed as well as the shelters and people are trying to make a buck on selling puppies and kittens. It is really sad. I have several friends that travel and regularly come home with animal that are running the streets. And they are purebreds and mixes. People are leaving them behind chained up in their backyards. Someone found a young dog chained in the backyard of an abandoned house and was left there during our 7 days of rain. I hear what you are saying but those that need to wake up have to hear it at its worst.

No doubt that times are hard and the animals pay a heavy price. If I knew where this shelter is, I would send them info on the No Kill Advocacy Center. This is obviously a shelter in need of help. And a 90% kill rate with 50% pure breds? Why not contact breed rescues?

I can only suppose that this is a made up story aimed at tugging on people's heartstrings. If it works, fine, but if this is an actual shelter, they need to reach out for help that IS available. Best Friends Best Friends Animal Society Home Page is another fine organization that does outreach to other shelters.

I'm posting these links so that anyone whose local shelter is overwhelmed may know of a few places that can help. Our hearts are on the same page with this issue.

[Nancy1999]

There's another thread about how recent laws have caused the shutting down of some commercial breeding facilities and many dogs are looking for homes. When these laws are changed, there must be some type of transitional period, or it seems like the dogs may suffer even more.

[Woogie Man]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

There's another thread about how recent laws have caused the shutting down of some commercial breeding facilities and many dogs are looking for homes. When these laws are changed, there must be some type of transitional period, or it seems like the dogs may suffer even more.

You're right...and that's another upsetting wrinkle to this issue.

In my area, I saw first-hand the tremendous number of animals needing homes after Hurricane Katrina. Local shelters networked with shelters in other areas to help with the problem. Best Friends was instrumental in their invaluable aid, too. I hope that shelters that find themselves overwhelmed reach out to the resources that are available for help.

[mscat]

I do go on local craigslist everyday in my area. Most times a dog or cat is being rehomed due to somebody moving or having a new baby. It saddend me every time. To see the commercials of the poor defenseless animals in shelters always makes me cry.
I am a true animal lover and know that my two girls are part of my family. I believe most YT members feel the same way as I do. I will do anything for my dogs. Save them from a fire, or earthquake, a natural disastor does not preculde ownreship of your animals. Preparation is the answer, and looking into the future and what it may bring to a family with animals needs to be number one priority to pet ownership. Their lives are just as valueable as ours, that is my own personal feelings. It is too sad and heartbreaking to know so many animals are left to die a certain death in overcrowded shelters and left to the elements. i hat to even see a dog running loose in our neighborhood. It is a very small town and animal control will pick them up. I watched in horror a small dog running away from the 'truck" The officer followed the dog, but a day later I did see the dog safe. People are cruel, some do not care, But some do and have big hearts.

[lmperez]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

No doubt that times are hard and the animals pay a heavy price. If I knew where this shelter is, I would send them info on the No Kill Advocacy Center. This is obviously a shelter in need of help. And a 90% kill rate with 50% pure breds? Why not contact breed rescues?

I can only suppose that this is a made up story aimed at tugging on people's heartstrings. If it works, fine, but if this is an actual shelter, they need to reach out for help that IS available. Best Friends Best Friends Animal Society Home Page is another fine organization that does outreach to other shelters.

I'm posting these links so that anyone whose local shelter is overwhelmed may know of a few places that can help. Our hearts are on the same page with this issue.

I am not sure where this actual center is and I do agree it might be made up to pull on heart strings I just hope it will help. Our breed rescues here are overwhelmed and I know they are turning away dogs due to the lack of foster homes. I hate to say it but they are getting picky with what they are taking in. Donations are down and they are taking less of the ones with health issues and elderly dogs. I can't say all are doing this but I know a lot are. I have tried to help others placing cats and dogs and whwen I call they are not accepting anything due to a lack of space. I will pass on the links and if they are in need of help maybe the can get it. Thanks.

[camile]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

There's another thread about how recent laws have caused the shutting down of some commercial breeding facilities and many dogs are looking for homes. When these laws are changed, there must be some type of transitional period, or it seems like the dogs may suffer even more.

Your point is well founded. Indiana's AG is going after mills for unpaid taxes, just like with Capone. Recently a large mill was closed in Bloomington and I think about 300 dogs were taken out. Our shelter, which was recently made a no kill, took many of them as they were dispersed among several counties to relieve the strain. I hope these new efforts will eventually help but it will be hard during the transition and I fear for the dogs, especially the breeders.

[scrapindee]

My contract says that I will take my dog back at any time, no questions asked. If you have to move and can't take the dog, all my owners have to do is contact me. All the dogs are microchipped as puppies, and I remain on the call list as the second contact--also part of my contract.

During these harder economic times I've made my contracts tougher, so that it is about the dog's best interests, first and formost. I tell my buyers I don't want my dogs to land up in shelters or rescues, ever. If they can't keep the dogs, I want to assist in the rehoming, I want to know where the dogs are at all times. If that makes me too involved with my puppy buyers, as the breeder, I can't help that.