[News] Is Pet Overpopulation Really Killing Our Cats and Dogs?

[livingdustmops]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

Does it have to cost that much more money, though? Plenty of volunteers will walk dogs for free. I understand that there is overhead for coordinating that effort, but it's not like you need a cadre of professional dog walkers. It's pretty depressing that a shelter would say, "our conditions are so bad that it's kinder to put the animals to death."

I just hope that all shelters make sure they tap into the goodwill that's out there and make sure they leverage any and all free resources (rescues that are willing to take dogs, volunteers, vets who will do low cost s/n, etc).

It is more than just walking the animals. In many cases a lot of the shelters would have to be pulled down and they will need more space so animals have a place to run and play. Then it is shots, medicines, food, surgeries, beds, dentals etc. Review the costs on the BF's annual report 2008 I posted.

It is depressing in most of the nations shelters. Cement buildings with cement floors and to many animals in a pen with not a lot of windows or light. More like concentration camps and the smells are awful.

I believe most shelters will help with rescues, train volunteers and have vets who do low cost s/n.

It is just a matter of numbers ... over 8 to 10 million animals come into shelters every year..this does not include private rescues that don't report their numbers.

[QuickSilver]

From my limited experience, I don't think that shelters need to have a separate space for animals to run and play, as long as the cats have SOME room, and the dogs get walked enough. Every dog in our rescue is walked at least 100 minutes / day, and it's almost all volunteers. In fact, there are many more applicants than there are time slots. Granted, not all places may be so lucky, and the weather is very good in SF, so no issues with exercising the animals year round, etc.

Best Friends is fabulous, and it would be great if more places could emulate that. However, I think a shelter can fall far short of that ideal, and still meet their primary goal of providing shelter to healthy animals for as long as the animal needs it.

If you keep the animals separated and follow basic hygeine protocols, you can prevent the spread of disease. While it's great to give animals top notch medical and dental care as well, I don't think that's necessarily the first mission of a shelter. I would say that a shelter that doesn't have enough resources for top notch facilities can still effectively triage: #1 - do everything possible to get the animals to a better situation, be that reuiniting lost pets, adopting out, sending to rescues, etc. #2 - provide the animals with basic mental and physical stimulation to keep the healthy animals healthy. Ideally of course, sick and injured animals are nursed back to health, everyone gets dental care, etc. However, if there isn't enough money to do that, I think the priority has to be on keeping the healthy animals alive and adoptable.

[Woogie Man]

Here's something from the link I posted earlier from the No Kill Now site.
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Ten Reasons Your Shelter Should Consider No Kill
1. Boosts adoptions.
2. Attracts and retains more volunteers.
3. Improves staff morale.
4. Generates greater community support.
5. Creates better alignment with charitable mission.
6. Enhances image.
7. Increases management skills.
8. Generates more funding.
9. Expands organizational options.
10. Establishes eligibility for MADDIE'S FUND grant.

No-kill boosts adoptions. Staff in no-kill shelters hear it every day. "I came to your facility to adopt because you don't kill animals here." Just as a growing number of people buy only organic produce or dolphin safe tuna, there is a growing segment of society that wants to express deeply held values and beliefs by focusing the search for a companion animal on no-kill shelters only. Other people go only to no-kill shelters because
traditional shelters make them feel guilty and depressed. "It really troubles me to see all of those sad eyes and know that if I don't adopt, the animal will probably die" is commonly voiced.

No-kill attracts and retains more volunteers. In an impersonal world where people feel more and more isolated, there is a greater longing for connection. The love given to volunteers by shelter cats and dogs can provide that connection. But it's a devastating blow to fall in love with an animal only to find out he didn't make it to a loving home. Severing attachments is never easy and to voluntarily go through it over and over is not something most people are willing to do. No-kill shelters are able to attract and retain a high volume of volunteers because people know that the animals they fall in love with will be adopted and cherished for life.
Page 2 of 3
MADDIE’S FUND:

No-kill improves staff morale. Imagine a working environment in which 50% of those around you die every day. In wartime, that may be inevitable. But an animal shelter isn't a war zone and animals aren't dying for a noble or just cause. Killing adoptable and treatable animals is debilitating and demoralizing for the people who have to do it. The
real irony is that people chose to work at shelters because they love animals and want to help them. To then have to kill them is devastating.
Killing creates stressed out employees and high turnover among the rest of the staff as well.

No-kill generates greater community support. Just as our society is no longer willing to abide by racial discrimination and gender inequality, we're also becoming far less tolerant of the mass killing of our best friends and family members. In many communities, there is a very real bias in support of life-saving programs and policies. This translates into greater political, corporate, philanthropic, business and volunteer support of no-kill programs.

No-kill creates better alignment with charitable mission. In general, animal welfare organizations want to improve the health and well-being of companion animals. Articles are written on pet safety (keep the cat indoors), pet health (vaccinations and spay/neuter) and pet identification. Pet legislation is advocated, animal cruelty prosecuted. Efforts are made to save lives. But when humane societies and spcas kill adoptable and treatable animals, there's a troubling disconnect between what the organizations want to do and what they actually do in practice. By saving all of the adoptable and treatable cats and dogs, no-kill shelters are able to fulfill their lifesaving mission. Oftentimes they are even able to reach out beyond their own facilities to help other community shelters save lives
as well.

No-kill enhances image. Remember the commercial that said, "image is everything"? In the not-for-profit sector, there is a lot of truth to the statement. A positive image helps attract donations, volunteers and community support. A good image is not just built on the accomplishment of good works but on how well the accomplishment lines up with the
charitable mission. Once again, by saving all of their adoptable and treatable cats and dogs, no-kill shelters are able to demonstrate to their communities that they are achieving their lifesaving mission and goals which then enhances the organization's reputation of worthiness and success.

No-kill sharpens and increases management skills. When killing is an option, it's tempting to use it as a mechanism for population management. When killing is not an option, creative solutions simply must be found to find a home for a 14-year-old canine or a shy kitty that hides when adopters come to see her. Solving these problems builds staff communication, camaraderie and cohesiveness since everyone from the executive director to shelter operations manager, the kennel attendant to the dog trainers must work together to find a way to get the animal a loving home.

No-kill generates more funding. People who love animals want to donate their money to agencies that save animals, not to facilities that kill them. Those who can clearly articulate their no-kill mission, demonstrate they're saving lives, and effectively tell their story to the entire community will find a reservoir of caring individuals willing to commit financial resources to help. And no matter how small the no-kill shelter is, the fact that
the animals are saved sends the message that the organization is a winner, and people want to financially reward success.

More income=more organizational options. As donations increase, shelters have more options. They can add groomers and behaviorists to boost adoptions. They can add spay/neuter, adoption or public awareness outreach. The list goes on and on. And as more programs and services are added and more lives are saved, a track record of success is proven and revenue increases even more.

Establishes eligibility for a Maddie's Fund grant. Maddie's Fund financially supports no-kill shelters only, those agencies who find homes for and provide comprehensive medial and behavioral care to all adoptable and treatable animals in their care. Maddie's Fund grants are designed to help no-kill organizations create a delivery system of programs and services that will eliminate the deaths of adoptable cats and dogs
community wide, within 5 years.

************************************************** ***

[QuickSilver]

I think those are all great points. I know that I personally would have a lot of trouble volunteering at a kill shelter - I just think it would be emotionally draining. And a lot of sensitive people won't set foot in a kill shelter for any reason whatsoever.

I remember watching some "neurosis porn" on ... A&E, I think. One of those reality shows where the subjects have OCD. One woman had compulsive thoughts about animal cruelty, and of course her therapist made her go to a local shelter. She sat inside weeping and gagging for what seemed like forever. Obviously she was an extreme case, but I think it can be hard for a lot of people.

[livingdustmops]

No Kill Animal Shelters - The nØkill Network

Thanks Woogie Man - Those are wonderful steps and it would appear what BF follows...because they have had wonderful success in fundraising. etc...

[Woogie Man]

Cindy, I don't think anyone would disagree about the desirability of a no-kill shelter, but maybe have it in their minds that it can't be done due to budgets. I posted all that stuff to show that it may be economically feasible to strive for no-kill in a serious way, not just giving lip service to the idea.

There's also the economic feasibility study done in New York and the example of the Washington counties reducing the kill rate by mandate. I'd like to be able to compile a bunch of real world examples of no-kill working and dump it on the ones that see it as impossible to attain. So that's why I'm digging around. Best Friends is a great example but I think more are needed to make a convincing argument. I would feel more confident if, rather than saying "look what this group has done" we could say "look what this group and this other group and these others over here.....".

[livingdustmops]

I think No-kill is fabulous and I hope you or anybody doesn't think I am against them. I believe anything is possible if people want it to change and are willing to be part of the fix.

Maybe the site I just posted might also have some other success stories for you...state by state. A quick glance looks like a lot of it is private rescue's and not city rescues.

I do believe cats will have a very difficult time (they are placed in very small cages) if new facilities are not built for them (they have a higher euthanization rate than dogs) for various reasons.

[Woogie Man]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

I think No-kill is fabulous and I hope you or anybody doesn't think I am against them. I believe anything is possible if people want it to change and are willing to be part of the fix.

Maybe the site I just posted might also have some other success stories for you...state by state. A quick glance looks like a lot of it is private rescue's and not city rescues.

I do believe cats will have a very difficult time (they are placed in very small cages) if new facilities are not built for them (they have a higher euthanization rate than dogs) for various reasons.

For myself, I'm digging around to see if this idea can be implemented in more places and what evidence there may be to convince those in charge to take a serious look at it. I don't think you are against them and I hope I haven't said anything that makes it seem that way (but I have been blabbing a lot LOL). I think we're both on the same page about this, but the whole 'kill mentality' is so ingrained that I have to see more to be convinced this is really doable at this time...and, you know, timing is everything.

I looked at my state from the link you posted and there are 2 listings, but both are rescues. I think it's better to look for actual shelters doing no-kill for examples since rescues, I would think, operate with a much different mission than municipal or county shelters. If I'm wrong, please correct me about this. I will look through that link more to see if there are any shelter listings.

The cat issue does make no-kill that much harder. I know that our shelter's kill rate is skewed upwards due to cats. A couple of things I see are that cats simply breed more often than dogs, cats tend to roam freely more often and people tend to let cats just 'do their thing'. Our shelter is loaded with cats and you can find cats free in the paper any day. So yeah, they're a big problem.

[livingdustmops]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

For myself, I'm digging around to see if this idea can be implemented in more places and what evidence there may be to convince those in charge to take a serious look at it. I don't think you are against them and I hope I haven't said anything that makes it seem that way (but I have been blabbing a lot LOL). I think we're both on the same page about this, but the whole 'kill mentality' is so ingrained that I have to see more to be convinced this is really doable at this time...and, you know, timing is everything.

I looked at my state from the link you posted and there are 2 listings, but both are rescues. I think it's better to look for actual shelters doing no-kill for examples since rescues, I would think, operate with a much different mission than municipal or county shelters. If I'm wrong, please correct me about this. I will look through that link more to see if there are any shelter listings.

The cat issue does make no-kill that much harder. I know that our shelter's kill rate is skewed upwards due to cats. A couple of things I see are that cats simply breed more often than dogs, cats tend to roam freely more often and people tend to let cats just 'do their thing'. Our shelter is loaded with cats and you can find cats free in the paper any day. So yeah, they're a big problem.

I would either write or call BF to see if they can give you recommendations for other no-kill shelters. I believe they would know better than most and maybe you could get lucky and get someone who really understands all of the pittfalls of a city shelter going through this. I really get the impression but I have never called them, but BF is very open to helping educate organizations etc.

I didn't think you thought that about me but sometimes when someone keeps bringing up what could be thought of as "negative" thoughts on something as sensitive as this I felt I better put my disclaimer out there..hahaha

Yes I believe with cats it is a large problem.

[hartygirl]

Thanks to all who posted for the wealth of info in this thread, I have just read it start to finish. phew... no I'm off to download some books!

Cindy, coincidentally I have all of BF books and the first one is amazing! I have been a member for quite some time and posted here about BF before. I am making my husband take me there next year for our summer vacation! I'll give a full report!

Just wanted to say amazing thread!!!!!!

[livingdustmops]

Originally Posted by hartygirl

Thanks to all who posted for the wealth of info in this thread, I have just read it start to finish. phew... no I'm off to download some books!

Cindy, coincidentally I have all of BF books and the first one is amazing! I have been a member for quite some time and posted here about BF before. I am making my husband take me there next year for our summer vacation! I'll give a full report!

Just wanted to say amazing thread!!!!!!

Oh you poor thing...all of it..haha..Yes I have read all of the books and I just find it amazing what the group started with and where they are now...just amazing and we need to keep telling the world about them.

Oh how I would love to spend time there but I really wouldn't want to put the gang in a kennel so maybe one day when I have a travel trailer..

Oh I am going to hold you to reporting out.

[hartygirl]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

Oh you poor thing...all of it..haha..Yes I have read all of the books and I just find it amazing what the group started with and where they are now...just amazing and we need to keep telling the world about them.

Oh how I would love to spend time there but I really wouldn't want to put the gang in a kennel so maybe one day when I have a travel trailer..

Oh I am going to hold you to reporting out.

Cindy, I know what you mean about kenneling! My mom fly's down from Minnesota to stay with my crew, I can rent her out if you ever get the opportunity to go! My babies are her only grandchildren, she loves to "babysit" for us!

It was just a fluke that I happened to learn about BF, I was wandering around Barnes& Noble wasting time over a lunch break and walked over to the sale table, saw a darling pup on the cover and picked it up, the cover said something about Mary Tyler Moore so I almost put it down! lol! But after reading the jacket I was hooked, I read it cover to cover and cried and smiled and even took notes about fund-raising.

What the animal sanctuary is based on is pure, un-tainted love for ALL animals and I just can't get enough of that!

Also another AMAZING book is Saved:
Amazon.com: Saved: Rescued Animals and the Lives...
I got this book as a gift and it touched me, after reading what a difference so many INDIVIDUAL people can make I decided to start making my small differences and not giving up because things were too hard or would never change.

I am looking forward to reading all of this info and nothing makes me more happy than seeing others doing the same!

[QuickSilver]

I'll have to order these BF books. I've been browsing around their website too. Thor might need a BF hoodie....

[livingdustmops]

You will enjoy the books..Besides those two books I also have a book from when they were in New Orleans for hurricane Katrina...brings tears to your eyes to see the story again from their rescue point. Many beautiful pictures of hope from the dogs when they realized they would be saved..

[QuickSilver]

I'm glad to see this thread has gotten over 1,000 views. I hope that means it's turned on some light bulbs for different people.