Big black dogs are notoriously the last to get chosen from shelters. Dogs like this one can get a...
Credit: Jan Hoadley | ©Jan Hoadley
Day after day we are bombarded with the pet "overpopulation" crisis. We even have designated October as 'adopt a shelter animal' month and there are other monthly and day long designations to honor dogs and cats. Many say the answer to the pet overpopulation is spay/neuter while others say it's eliminating breeding. Having observed for several years not only statistics but responses and political maneuvering that is more about power than dogs I have another thought. We're facing a dog shortage.
People point to the (insert varying million statistic here) dogs killed every year as proof there aren't homes. There are many things that the statistics don't tell. For example, many shelters such as Jasper Alabama kill anything that "looks like a pitbull" - so those dogs have zero chance of finding homes anyway! This has also included purebred Rottweilers and Boxers and other dogs that had no pitbull in them. Detroit famously said on "Animal Cops" they, too, kill all pitbulls - even puppies.
Additionally those in charge of shelters and 'rescues' often dictate terms to have a dog and if it's an imperfect (but solid) home that doesn't meet the terms they are denied having a dog - and the dog euthanized! This points to they aren't unwanted dogs!
For millions of homes in the USA the consideration to add a pet starts with shelter or rescue, while others prefer buying from a breeder. There are also many who haven't yet decided where they're getting a dog but if they decided to go to a shelter then, statistically, there aren't enough dogs in shelters to fill the homes. There are people who give their dogs up when moving, another factor criticized.
In all this there's another WIDE open desperate need that many of these dogs could fill. They'd have permanent homes, they'd be well cared for and they'd have all the time interaction with their owners. The fact is there is a 2-3 year wait for these dogs! There are not enough dogs and people to train them to fill demand. These are also homes that go beyond pet clauses. Service dogs cannot be denied access by law.
People point to the (insert varying million statistic here) dogs killed every year as proof there aren't homes. There are many things that the statistics don't tell. For example, many shelters such as Jasper Alabama kill anything that "looks like a pitbull" - so those dogs have zero chance of finding homes anyway! This has also included purebred Rottweilers and Boxers and other dogs that had no pitbull in them. Detroit famously said on "Animal Cops" they, too, kill all pitbulls - even puppies.
Additionally those in charge of shelters and 'rescues' often dictate terms to have a dog and if it's an imperfect (but solid) home that doesn't meet the terms they are denied having a dog - and the dog euthanized! This points to they aren't unwanted dogs!
For millions of homes in the USA the consideration to add a pet starts with shelter or rescue, while others prefer buying from a breeder. There are also many who haven't yet decided where they're getting a dog but if they decided to go to a shelter then, statistically, there aren't enough dogs in shelters to fill the homes. There are people who give their dogs up when moving, another factor criticized.
In all this there's another WIDE open desperate need that many of these dogs could fill. They'd have permanent homes, they'd be well cared for and they'd have all the time interaction with their owners. The fact is there is a 2-3 year wait for these dogs! There are not enough dogs and people to train them to fill demand. These are also homes that go beyond pet clauses. Service dogs cannot be denied access by law.
Comments
Thanks - it's easy to be negative but if 1/3 didn't cut it then it presumes 2/3 - 400 dogs! did! That's 400 dogs that have a permanent home. K9 units for law enforcement have also used shelter dogs. It's a win-win for dogs and people when it works out...but the need for volunteers is great.
Thanks for bringing fresh perspective to the dog home issue. Great thoughts and ideas.
A really great article from a trusted source...thanks
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