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Visiting my dentist office for my annual cleaning and checkup ..I drove by the infamous place...the kill shelter. I hadn't been there since I had met Rivieria the year before, the beautiful Sheepie/Cocker X, whom sadly I did not save. I wanted to visit Snoop the 12 year old Shaggy dog I've spoken of possibly fostering. She's featured as this months Pet on the Net and I hoped the exposure would bring about a permanent home. She is still listed. I walked amongst the cages and didn't see her as she was up front enjoying the comforts of the front with the staff. Instead, I walked amongst the dog kennels first...the pleading eyes or perhaps it was their curled fetal postions is what broke my heart. Many had given up...none barked at my presence. Next, I visited the cats, many of the cats too had the same expressions of hopelessness. It was only broken by the sound of one persistant wail of an old senior, whose sounds could even make a hardened heart weep. Many of the others, as if in a daze, unresponsive, and appeared to have given up. I can't help but compare their expressions to those I've seen of victims in the Holocaust. For these animals it's the same thing. I find out Snoop is in the front and after given ID, I'm allowed to take her for a walk. She too rolls on the grass like Riviera did the year before, exposing her belly to me for rubs. I walk back into the shelter and a dog lunges for her. There is some commotion and the staff take Snoop from me to seperate her from the lunging Husky. I sit on the seats awaiting my turn to ask about fostering. There is a tiny Asian woman, pleading with the staff to take her dog (the husky) as she can no longer keep her. The dog senses the fear and death of the place and is terrified. I can see by it's body position and eyes it is scared. Suddenly the dog has diarreah, it is constant and the smell is horrible. The staff make no attempt to help the woman and she tries to clean the mess. I offer to hold her dog. I can view this womans humilation as she cleans up the mess through her tears. Each time she walks out the door to the trash bin her dog howls as if begging her not to leave her at this place. I wonder how the dog will be when she realizes her mom is going to do just that. I don't want to be there and when she is finished I go back inside to the kennels. A young couple is looking at the dogs when we hear this huge gushing sound as if a water main broke. All three of us go to investigate..it's a new dog, he's vomiting! The young girl goes to get a staff member who comes back cursing and visibly upset..mumbling about horrible people, throwaway pets and the poor emanciated dog in the parking lot who needs to get euthenized. I leave to get some air. I see whom she is talking about, as in the corner of the parking lot. An aged GS is laying on the concrete clinging to his life. A staff member from the Shelter hospital comes across the parking lot and places a pillow on his head then goes back inside for what I assume is paper work. I see the street person whom owns the dog thinking she is alone, as I'm sitting in my van . She lays on the concrete with her dog, her back is towards me and I hear huge racking sobs emit from her. I turn my head as I feel like I'm being intrusive, wanting to help but from the shape of the dog..too late. Just like last year, I leave the shelter feeling horrible. I think of what a wonderful day I had yesterday with Panda and the joy he's given me. What a different set of emotions now. How fortunate our furkids are compared to those unfortunate ones in that shelter and those across the world that aren't as lucky. I can't imagine how hard it is for shelter staff to go through this type of thing daily as even for 1 hr I saw the dauntless task. Kaye is a hero as she knows and does something about it. I return home and give all my furkids a hug and know I will always continue to get a pet from the shelter. It's true we can't save them all , but for the ones we do save..what a difference we can make. Marianne and the boys |
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| How awful Marianne, it makes me so sad to read your post. I think I choose to ignore how dreadful the shelters are, and the kind of people who easily discard their pets, as it makes me physically sick to think about all of the unwanted animals. A dog or cat doesn't deserve this kind of life. I can't even phathom working at a shelter. I don't know how they can stand to look at the owner turn ins that have the dumbest excuses to leave their pet. |
| Marianne,
This is so wrenching. i visited one of these places once & it is still in my dreams 10+ years later. I know we can't save them all. The betrayal of man to his trusting pets is unforgivable! Do you have any plans on springing Snoop? I remember Rivera & your posts about him. Did he find a home? sue |
thats too sad for words  |
that is all I can say as well as you are an angel to go there in the first place, such courage and so heart wrenching. Are you fostering Snoop? Gawd I hope so
It would be a wonderful world if there was no need for places like that!!  |
| Marianne, that is a very powerful reminder. Thank you. |
| Oh Marianne, That is what it is all about. The heartbreak and pain of seeing so many suffer.... My Heart goes out to Your Heart. Sheepie Hugs, Kaye |
I'm always struck by the contrast of stories like this and the dogs on the forum. What a sad world we live in, that pets are treated so horribly  |
Valerie wrote: Marianne, that is a very powerful reminder. Thank you.
Ditto. |
| One more reason to support and volunteer at the no kill shelters and organizations. thanks for the reminder Marianne. Hopefully one day we will be able to do away with pet abandonment and overpopulation issues in a more humane manner! |
| Hi Again,
I don't even know where to begin so I'll ramble. The beautiful sheepie X from last year had gone into foster home, but his site was taken down, and no stories under the "happy endings" about his adoption. That usually means one thing. I went back to the shelter and found he had been euthenized. ( I posted the full story last year) I hadn't been in that shelter since then. Last week, I stopped my vehicle as I spotted a young girl with what could have been Panda's twin. It was near the end of my block and after chatting with her and her friend, they came to my house to meet Panda. The girl Sheepie was 8 and looked identical to Panda. Her upright mentioned her mom was trying to sell her home to move into a condo, she herself was going to college and they would need to find a home for the 8 yr old unspayed sheepie. I gave her my number. I've been worried since as what to do about Snoop? What if this girl calls me about her dog? What to do? At the shelter, I also went into the the area of the small critters, bunnies, guinea pigs, and other small creatures. The staff told me one of the bunnies had been there for over a year. I thought of Puff and Squeak, my own bunny and GP whom not only have a indoor area but a large fully enclosed outdoor area, fully protected so they can enjoy munching on fresh grass and free to romp and excercise. Puff is scheduled to get spayed this week, even tho there is no chance of pregnancy but in order to prevent possible mammary tumors later in her life. I'd also been asked by the Small Animal Rescue up here to foster two special needs bunnies. Then I see the one at the shelter who for some reason has been there for a year...what to do? There were two cats at the shelter whom I know have slim chances of adoption, one a very old senior with beraggled fur and weepy eyes, the other - the one that resembled my 21 yr old Oscar before he passed, I can't forget his wails. What to do? When I was in the front office, one of the volunteers came in with a kennel full of kittens, too tiny yet to be adopted out, he said he and his wife were already full at their home as over 60 kittens came in July. Not enough fosters for the kittens so they were going to the animal hospital. I peered inside the kennel and saw 5 tiny faces peering out. So tempted to say, "I'll do it!". Then I see Snoop bouncing around the front office. Which one to choose? Ironically, I'm off this summer for the first in 17 years, and can devote lots of time to my furballs until I return to work in Sept. I had decided not to pursue the numerous other jobs I usually take on, but spend the summer at home. However, with that meant a lot of planning ahead to be able to survive without a paycheck. Funds are tight, as I'm already supporting 3 dogs, 4 cats, bunny and guinea pig, teen son on my own. Still, I thought there was always room for one more. I hadn't realized it's not that easy to just pick one. All mine (exept for Puff and Squeak) are spayed, neutered, licenced, have yearly vet exams, are current on all their shots, have good quality food, get lots of attention, love and excercise. I take the responsibility of pet ownership very seriously and even a foster would get the same treatment. But...which one to choose? Which one to choose? I went home to try to figure it all out. I don't want to play God and with my decision as to who I choose, may be the difference of those I've spoken about who live and who dies. Fosters in theory are still supported by the shelters, but they only supply minimal vet care, food and spaying or neutering. As this shelter is an hour away I don't see me driving in to get a bag of food each week as the gas alone would be far more. In Mama Kat's situation where I was told to return her to be put down, as her dental was too expensive. I ended keeping her and paid the 700 dental bill. I also understood that this amount could have helped many others and shelters are forced to make the choice. Yet, after living in my home I couldn't bring her back to be put down and dealt with it on an emotional level rather than an intellectual one. I know It will be the same with any of the above I choose. So which one to choose? I'm still trying to figure it out. I have to go back within the next couple days. Marianne and the boys |
| (((BIG HUGS MARIANNE))) I felt the same when we got Joy. It was hard to leave the others behind. I wish we had had the space to adopt a couple of others. |
| We have picked up both Sam and London from shelters and at both I made them bring the dogs out to me. I know my financial limits and I was afraid if I saw any others I would want to take them as well. My dogs are my kids and I am responsible for them.
Quote: I return home and give all my furkids a hug and know I will always continue to get a pet from the shelter. It's true we can't save them all , but for the ones we do save..what a difference we can make.
Always. |
| Oh, Marianne!! How heartbreaking it must be for you to walk through the shelter. And what a dilemma about which one to choose!
I know you'll do what's the best for both you and the animal. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers during the selection period! |
| How terrible to witness something like that. The only other time I've been to a shelter that I can remember is when I visited the one around here to find Momo. All of the dogs were so pitiful sounding. It was really cold outside where they were kept and some of them were short haired pups.
It's not easy making a choice like that - but I would go for the older pets - they are the hardest to find homes for. |
| Marianne,
I know it's not much, but could I send a check each week for Snoop's food. Would that help keep her longer? Please let ma know. sue |
| It is so awful to read things like this. I received an e-mail a couple days ago about the terrible situation in our own area of Jacksonville. 7/10 amimals are euthanized when they are picked up by - I believe - the animal control. The problem has increased dramatically because the animal shelter in Jax has become no-kill. Good news, but it has put too much stress on the other animal holding areas in the area. They are over-booked, under helped, and there aren't enough people claiming their pets or adopting. It is heartwrenching. It seems like there isn't an end in sight.
Quote: (Jacksonville, FL) -- A change in procedures at Jacksonville Animal Care and Control could mean owners would have less time to claim a lost pet. It would likely mean more animals would be put to sleep. Agency head Davis Flagler says overcrowding gives him no choice but to reduce the amount of time some animals stay at the shelter. More than 25-hundred dogs and cats were brought to the city's animal shelter in June. Less than ten-percent were adopted. More than two-thousand were put down, the highest number ever. A proposed new rule would give animals without a collar just a three-day stay. Those with a collar but no ID would be allowed five days. Pets with a license or other identification would be given seven days. Flagler urges pet owners put some kind of identification on their pet and contact Animal Care and Control quickly if a pet is lost. The agency posts photos online of pets that were picked up, so people can browse for for lost pets. The mayor and city council would have to approve the plan.
Copyright 2006 Metro Networks Communications Inc., A Westwood One Company So sad. |
| Hi Marianne,
Sometimes the look and feeling of despair on some of the animals living in the shelters is too much to bear. I volunteered at a no kill animal shelter for about six years. When I first started I told myself I was just going to go their for two hours a week to walk the dogs. I would not get involved and I would not get attached to any one animal. WRONG. I think I heard just about every story for bringing a dog in. There were many dogs left tied to trees and the railing of the front steps, along with boxes of kittens and cats that people just left on the steps during the night. I always would say to myself.....well it is better then them being out on the street. I would watch month after month as some dogs and cats were just overlooked. You could see where some animals just kind of gave up. I always would try to do something special for the animals at the shelter, whether it was building an outside space so the cats could go outside, making special beds so the dogs did not have to sleep on the floor, going to the shelter at closing time and staying there so the dogs and cats did not have to be closed up at 6PM until the next morning when the crew arrived at 9AM. My mom, when she was alive, would always make sure that each and every one of the dogs would receive a nice marrow bone as a holiday gift so they knew they were not forgotten. The burn out factor is extremely high and working at a shelter is extremely stressful. You see an animal be adopted out only to have two or three more come in. I have the upmost respect for all the shelter workers and volunteers who unselfishly give of there time. After volunteering at the shelter I made the decision from then on I would only adopt my animals from a shelter or help an animal in need. There are some breeds of dogs that I tend to favor along with the wonderful breed called the "mutt". I usually browse Petfinders just to see if any of my favorites are at the shelters. After adopting Fred I have been enamoured by the OES, and have tried on several occasions to locate another OES in a shelter. The ones I do see are usually already adopted by the time I get there. Last week I happened to see a Great Pyr boy that was still available a a local shelter. After some thought I decided to visit this guy. I knew better then to go there. The look of despair is still there among the animals and the feeling of "How can I play God and determine who will live and who might die" haunted me. The people bringing in their animals never stopped while I was there. And the forelorne, lost look on the animals faces when the attendant came to take them was too much for me to handle. I still have not made my decision on that Pyr boy yet. There was another mixed breed dog who has been there since January. And I know when I look at Petfinders again there will be other dogs of my favorite breed who will show up. I can understand your question "What to do?" I just know when I came home from the shelter I hugged my guys tight and felt a greater love and appreciation for them. I looked them in the eyes and told them as long as I am alive they will never ever have to worry about ever going into a shelter. Good luck to you with your decision. You are a very warm kind hearted person. |
| A woman that is on a rescue list with me recently wrote this piece of fiction. It is quite long, but well worth the read....Kleenex alert.
http://members.shaw.ca/shelterofhope/interview.htm She wrote Part II that I have also read, and it is also very precise. I will post it when it is available online. One of the things that rescue groups does is make sure that any dog they place does not end in a shelter. Rescue groups place dogs on the condition that the new family MUST return the dog to them if they can no longer keep it. I make sure to tell this to EVERY rescue dog I meet. "You will never be homeless again". Reputable breeders have this clause in their puppy sale contracts, too. This helps cut down the overwelming work that shelters do. I read recently that the American Humane Society figures are that 40 animals are euthanised every minute only because they happen to EXIST. They were not asked to be born, and then they die tragically. Very sad, and whose fault is it? We can all look at ourselves and note that if we are not part of the solution we are part of the problem. |
| *sigh*
Marianne, you are an angel for taking in all these animals and for caring for the ones that have no one else to look after them. I know I'm preaching to the choir, but I really think the solution to this is making sure animals are spayed and neutered and pushing our legislatures to enact spay/neuter laws, anti-cruelty laws, and (what I think is the most important) laws about who can breed/how much they can breed. And in the mean time- take in as many furballs as you can! |
| Marianne, you should choose the one that you can't stop thinking about. Wasn't Snoop the reason you went there? Probably that's the one that will haunt you if you don't get her.
That is an extremely heartwrenching story. I so admire the volunteers who have the courage to see the torment everyday and still try to help. |
| Hi Everyone,
Thanks for sharing your stories, offers of help and suggestions. Here's what I did..I filled out their online application for fostering informing them I was available for fostering female dogs, any age cat and bunnies. I am sooooo tempted to go there with my charge card and bring home Snoop, the 2 senior cats and the bunny who has been there a year. I am so torn as I know logically that's not the smartest thing but emotionally it's what I want to do. I also have to be responsible for the ones already in my home. You can see Snoop's adorable face here: http://www.spca.bc.ca/PetOnNet/default.asp Wouldn't you know I checked their website today and now see two older seniors..both 18 yr old cats. Gasp..will it never end!! Lisa you are right about Snoop as she stole my heart ..I am awaiting their response. Sue your kindness and generousity is most appreciated and thank you so much for your offer...but I'm confident and trusting that somehow, someway ..fate is always on my side. If it came right down to it I'd get another side job to support these new ones. Marianne and the boys Marianne and the boys |
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