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I’ve
never been one to give my opinion so openly about any subject. But as this is
something I care passionately about, I will give it. Dog pounds have always
held a bad place in my memory after we lost my dog and he was impounded and
treated like dirt. I honestly don’t like them, nor do I think they should exist
in any way, shape, or form.
Now,
dog pounds and facilities might say something along the lines of: “Well we give
them homes as long as we can, some are picked up and fostered or taken care
of.” But the fact of the matter is HOW they are treated. They lay on bare
cement in too cold or too hot rooms, are not given the required attention they
need, and many get depressed. In no case except extreme should a dog be put
down.
I
believe shelters are more effective. If allowed, building more shelters could
help provide not just a place to stay, but a temporary home for these dogs that
are lost. If no one adopts a dog, instead of putting it down, you let it live a
long and happy life on a dog ranch. These dogs are every bit as important as we
are.
Money
wise, I realize that there are costs such as dog food, crate material, dog
bedding, toys, and so forth. However, events could be held to raise money for
the shelters. With fun activities involving the dogs, you could raise money in
no time at all. People, especially dog lovers, are willing to contribute to
give these animals the home that they deserve.
I
do know that this isn’t an easy process. Putting pounds out of business isn’t
everyone’s idea of a good thing to do. I also get that doing this could anger
some people. Not every dog is the friendliest, but that doesn’t mean they
should be shoved aside, forgotten, and put down. This just means a new course
of action. As long as you have time and good work ethic, good homes for dogs
cannot be far behind.
When
pounds are filled to capacity, they start turning away animals, and in turn,
those animals are killed cruelly. Dumped on roadsides and left to starve,
sometimes giving birth to litters that no one will want. The ones that are
taken in, if they are lucky, find a permanent home, and the others are
euthanized.
Dogs
taken into pounds are often previously used as fight dogs, or racing dogs, or
maybe they just weren’t wanted anymore. I’ve always felt strongly that strays
should be taken care of and fostered instead of dumped into a metal cage and
neglected for however long they have until they are put down. Dog pounds are
awful.
Animals
are turned away more often then not, including the extreme cases. The cases of
abuse and neglect are typically more severe. For example, one owner who turned
in three dogs said: “It was either this or shoot them.” Animals die slowly and
cruelly on the streets more often then not.
In
San Antonio, which is striving to be a no kill city, the bodies of nearly
16,000 dogs and 12,000 cats were picked up off the streets. Some animals will
spend months or even years in cages, neglected. According to experts, as little
after two weeks the animals can begin to deteriorate emotionally and
psychologically. They can become withdrawn, depressed, aggressive or anxious.
If adopted, animals who have been confined for a while will often be returned
because of behavioral issues.
To
increase save rates, some shelters will encourage abandonment. One sanctuary
released a news issue encouraging people to abandon kittens on the street
instead of taking them to a shelter. That leaves the cats open to infections
and diseases, as well as getting hit by cars and dying slowly. This is why I
disagree with pounds and shelters. But sanctuaries and safe shelters should be
made and upheld.
