Dog lovers please read this ---kinda long sorry

[Chickadee28]

I work at the local animal shelter. I can tell you about some of the obnoxious reasons people release their animals, but the poem says it all. A lot of people think that by turning in a dog to the shelter it will find a great home. The sad truth is the dog will most likely be put down. The shelter I work for is no kill, but we are always full. We take dogs in from county shelters that would otherwise be euthanized. Luckily we get some great adopters and they think to come to the shelter first when adding an animal to their family.

My dogs and cats are family, I would never move somewhere that I could not keep them. If for some reason(I can not think of any) that I would have to give them up I would remember that I made a commitment to this animal when I brought it home. I am responsible for it's life and well being. I will not pawn this of on someone else..... I just wish everyone else felt this way. I know that there are legitimate reasons to rehome an animal, there are responsible ways of doing this.

 

[chickbea]

Oh! I needed a warning on that one - I'm crying here at my desk at work!
All I can say is, adopt a shelter dog (or cat!)! All my dogs have been shelter dogs, most of them seniors, and I have never been disappointed. Some have needed more work than others, of course, but none have required the time committment of a puppy.
And remember, it is NOT THE SHELTERS' FAULT THAT ANIMALS HAVE TO BE EUTHANIZED. Shelter workers are animal lovers too, and I can't imagine asking someone to do a more horrific thing than putting a healthy animal to sleep.

 

[Crazy4Chicks]

maybe I should have told you to get a box of tissue's ( sorry everyone LOL ) when my DD was reading this she could not do it without crying --
after she e-mailed it to me I read it again and was crying all over again - I have also gotten a dog or two from the shelter and - they have been great dogs ( some did have a few issues LOL )
hopefully this poem gets around to enough people and after they see it they give there dog, cat,chicken, whatever else they have a hug and remember why they got that pet in the first place.


HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Julie

 

[Standard Hen]

This poem comes around every yar at the holiday s and after reading it once I can not ever read it again. I am one of those blubbering idiots when it comes to animals. I have adopted many from shelters and they all have been wonderful lucky animals.
BUT, I will say that I have heard more often than not that is is getting harder and harder to adopt from a shelter. We all know about the screening, home visits, and the list goes on and on. I know someone right now who is looking to give two barn cats a wonderful home, heated tack room to sleep in, way off any kind of busy road, beautiful farm, experienced animal people and she can not get anywhere. The shelters are busting with cats, so bad that they will not even take any more and turn people away which of course many just let them go to fend for themselves. No, I can't imagine doing that but it happens and that is where all the ferels come in. She wanted to adopt from a shelter but she has now given up and is putting the word out with friends and let me tell you she said the responses have been overwhelming. She told me if she had any idea that her shelter search for two cats would have turned out to be so frustrating she would never have wasted her time, you know e-mails, phone calls, petfinder etc.
I did tell her that some shelters are easier than others to adopt as the bottom line is the animal is going to be put down. Makes no sense. I have also heard this from many others and these are responsible people, grounded and settled in homes for years.
I will STILL promote adopting from shelters though, waht other chance will those animals have?

 

[jjthink]

Beautifully said. Thank you for posting.

I have never been able to fathom the countless people saying they are giving up their pets because their new landlord won't allow them. Lame lame LAME excuse. I would never move anywhere that did not accept my pets. Period.
JJ

E-mailed the poem to lots of folks and will try to get it posted at vets offices and petfood/suppy type stores......and anywhere else I can think of.....

 

[Carole AM]

I'm going to copy it and take it to the puppy obedience group! And send to friends that foster, and anyone else who cares!