Ann, I haven't found any real definitive info on this (the importation of dogs) but the article I linked to does mention Puerto Rico and Taiwan specifically. I don't see how anyone can justify helping out other nations' animals while millions of ours are being put down, whatever the reason. Just think of the cost of transportation alone and how far those dollars could go here. And then there's the issue of bringing diseases in. I'm not sure if these dogs must go through quarantine or not.
I, like Quicksilver, would love to see a really honest discussion of this issue. I think so many of us just assume that our shelters are doing a great service and leave it at that. Maybe we should ask if they are doing all they can to end the problem or if they are merely doing enough to 'stay in business'. Many shelters do, after all, get public funding.
I don't mean to disparage the front line volunteers at shelters. I think they have the hearts of saints but still the problem persists and we can't seem to get below a certain level of animals being put down. For their sake, I think the hard questions need to be asked. It's curious that resources are always found for cases that get publicity (puppy mill busts, typically) while thousands of animals are put down daily in a business as usual fashion.
I don't want to get *too* long-winded here, but let me relay a story. My neighbor just got a mixed breed hound from our local shelter. He was scheduled to be put down on the day he got him. This is a young dog, just over a year old, and sweet as can be. He is heart worm positive (like many shelter dogs down South) but the Humane Society told my neighbor they would pay for his medicine. So he pays $65 for the dog and takes him to the vet. The vet gives an estimate for his treatment that goes over $600. My neighbor calls the Humane Society about this and they said they would pay for the medicine only, which is only $100 of the total bill. This shelter dog all of a sudden turns into a $500+ investment and this guy doesn't have that kind of money. He was given the option to return the dog for another, but that would have just been a death sentence for his dog (Chevy is his name).
I told Nathan (Chevy's new dad) about the slow kill method for heart worm treatment. He asked his vet about it and the vet agreed that it would be an option for Chevy, especially due to his young age and the likelihood that he wasn't heavily infested with them. So, that's the route he'll take with Chevy.
I don't know how pertinent this is to the issue except that this is just another thing that keeps some people from adopting. Heart worms are a major problem in Southern shelter dogs and not advising prospective adopters of cheaper alternative treatments means many of these dogs are not adopted and are put to sleep.
Anyway, I'd just love to see a good discussion of the issue. I hope more people see this thread and respond. |