by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc.
Did you know in 1981 American Humane Association designated October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month “in an effort to help the estimated 3-4 million animals waiting in shelters every year get the loving, forever homes that they deserve.” But this raises the question as to why there are so many homeless canines to begin with. Obviously, lack of spaying and neutering is a major contributor, especially in the lower States. But then, we have the “rescues” and shelters importing the puppies to the area anyway. I once heard a shelter comment that they are bringing puppies up from the South because there is a public demand for puppies! I wasn’t aware that shelter’s mission is to provide puppies for adoption because that is what people want. According to the Wikipedia definition: “An animal shelter is a place where stray, lost, abandoned or surrendered animals – mostly dogs and cats – are housed. Currently we also have rabbits, guinea pigs, parakeets and a cockatiel! There is no mention of fulfilling a public want in the definition nor should there be.
The new New York State law prohibiting the sale of puppies, kittens and rabbits will hopefully put a damper on the puppy mill trade. But people will still travel to the Amish area of Pennsylvania to buy a puppy from these horrendous conditions which conveniently are not open to public view.
This all leads me to the never-ending calls to surrender dogs. Most private area shelters will take back the dogs that they adopted no matter the reason. Municipal shelters usually have a two-week window then you are on your own.
Some rescues without facilities utilize foster homes. Others only provide transport between the States. Buyers and adopters beware that if the puppy or dog you took home isn’t the right fit because it grew too big, is too rambunctious, growls at the kids, is too difficult to housetrain, you can no longer afford, the family or dog has health issues, dog is too shy or has breed specific tendencies, sheds too much, is too protective or has a bite incident, etc., the rescue may not have an immediate foster available or can’t be reached. Local shelters should not be expected to intake dogs adopted from outside of the area or from other agencies. They should be returned to whomever they were adopted or bought from even if it means being inconvenienced and driving the original distance. And owners should be held responsible for the cost of spaying and neutering the pet and having updated vaccinations upon surrender. Alas, that is not always possible, causing shelters to be at capacity and with these added expenses.
Shelter dogs are homeless through no fault of their own and deserve second chances. AHA says “Be a hero this month and adopt a dog from your local shelter. You’ll be saving his or her life and greatly improving your own as dogs are amazing, supportive and heroic companions”. We agree!
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