Photo Credit: Amber JamesOn November 28, 2005, the Athens County Humane Society cat shelter closed its doors after the shelter's owners were forced to sell the property. According to an Athens News article, the shelter did not euthanize during its last few months of business. But when the shelter was euthanizing cats, it was killing up to 200 cats a month, said manager Marla Brooks-Verity.
In an e-mail interview with Lynn Kneile, president of Athens County Humane Society, she stated the animal overpopulation is a serious issue. "We are concentrating our efforts to promote the importance of spaying and neutering, so that there is not a burden on animal shelters within a community. In my mind, it is disrespectful to allow a litter of puppies or kittens to be born, only to discard them shortly thereafter," Kneile said.
Although the shelter has closed, volunteers are extending their efforts to educate and raise awareness about the advantages of pet adoption. Kneile insists that those looking for a new pet should consider adoption because these animals should be given a chance at life.
Many shelters are now posting their pets online, so adopters can easily access shelters nationwide and find the type of pet they wish to adopt - without leaving their homes.
Key advantages of adopting shelter pets:
(Source: Lynn Kneile)
Although the shelter has closed, volunteers are extending their efforts to educate and raise awareness about the advantages of pet adoption. Kneile insists that those looking for a new pet should consider adoption because these animals should be given a chance at life.
Many shelters are now posting their pets online, so adopters can easily access shelters nationwide and find the type of pet they wish to adopt - without leaving their homes.
Key advantages of adopting shelter pets:
(Source: Lynn Kneile)
- Much, if not all, of the veterinary work is already done prior to adoption.
- When animals are in foster homes, they are ready for "house life" and/or being trained.
- The foster caregivers can better inform adopters of the dog or cat's personality, temperament, and behavior because they share living space.
- Choosing to adopt a juvenile or adult cat or dog is a great option for families that are not able to spare the time to train and raise a baby animal.
YOUR TURN
- What is your reaction to the number of animals that are euthanized in our country?
2 comments:
Amber,
I really like that you are using national statistics to support your your point and encourage people to adopt homeless animals. The statistics make your post much more compelling. I'd really like to see more about other animal welfare issues and definitely more pictures. I love the pictures of your cats!
It literally tugs my heart-strings to hear the figures for under-appreciated animals living and dying in shelters.
When I was about 10, we adopted a five-year-old Rotweiler named Molly. She had just had a litter of about eight, and had a history of abuse - she was thrown out during her pregnancy and was found in a parking lot during a thunderstorm. After taking her into our home she settled in, and soon became an important part of the family.
As silly as it sounds, I think she knew what we had done for her. It was like she appreciated the new life we had given her. Sure, she wasn't a pure-bred, and maybe she hid under the bed during storms, but her love for and loyalty to our family was unmistakable. I wish more people could see the transformation her adoption brought, not only to our family, but to her own demenor as well.
I think that shelters and animal adoption have a certain stigma attached to them. What do you think could be done to improve the perception of shelters, and raise the popularity of animal adoption? Do you think we should start with improving shelters? How could we do that - through more funding?
I'd like to see the statistics for how many animals are adopted a year versus how many are bought from pet shelters and breeders, along with some statistics of how those animals (adopted v. purchased) turn out once in the home.
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