I applaud you for wanting to volunteer there and help the homeless animals. You are very goodhearted to do so.
I'm copying my post here again, and I sincerely meant it to forewarn you, and to prevent you (and others) from suffering the heartache, pain and anguish I have suffered from adopting from the shelter.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kjc  Great! Just be very careful... I adopted one from the local Humane Society last year... she came with a horrible virus that she gave to my older Yorkie, Peek A Boo, and it turned into pneumonia and I came very close to losing him. His vet bill was $700.00 (that was cheap bc they thought he wouldn't pull through and just gave meds and sent him home), and I aged 10 years from worry. A reputable Rescue is a much better way to go to me.
Just a note: When you volunteer there: Change your clothes and shoes before walking into your house. Disinfect your shoes with 5% bleach solution (make up a spray bottle), place your clothes in a clean plastic bag and straight into the laundry with them. Don't forget to disinfect your car and any place you walk. Better safe than sorry.
If you do adopt from there: consider having a quarantine area (completely closed off from other pets) for at least one month. Vaccines do not cover all the viruses and diseases that stray dogs can pick up.
Dogs may appear healthy at the facility, when in fact they may be carrying an infection. Dogs in crowded facilities tend not to show signs of illness (survival of the fittest), and many that are adopted do get sick about 1-2 weeks after going to a new home, when they relax a bit and the illnesses surface.
You do have the responsibility to protect the pup you have. Don't risk her life (as I unknowingly did to mine) to want to save a life. If you come across a Yorkie, I would notify a local Yorkie rescue and let them do the saving.
One last note: The Yorkie I adopted had been dumped there twice by 2 families when they discovered her liver enzymes were off. Yes, she has liver shunt... so my cheap $160.00 Yorkie will end up costing over $3000.00 when all is done. |
I failed to mention a few things:
Peek A Boo was up to date on his vaccines and in perfect health when I adopted my second Yorkie. She went from the shelter directly to the vet for an exam (within the hour). My vet assures me the only way this could have been prevented would have been to quarantine the new dog for at least a month.
I never said or meant to imply that your pup at home was not being cared for properly. The point I was trying to make you aware of is that even the healthiest, fully vaccinated, most well-cared for pup can be at risk for a serious/deadly disease when exposed to an animal that has come from being kept in a shelter type environment.
And I forgot to mention the behavioral issues. Not only did she have Liver Shunt, she was also a biter and a barker. So re-training is involved, where a dog coming from a rescue would have these issues resolved before placement into a new home.
I apologize again, I meant no harm in posting my message, my intent was not to offend, but to educate anyone reading this thread, and again to save anyone from going through the pain and heartache that I experienced with my 2nd adoption.