Local Shelter Overwhelmed.

[PiggieMom]

I know that all of you know about the overpopulation problem. In my county they have a huge problem with dogs. The local humane society has even bought air time on our public access channel to show off their dogs in hopes of getting people to adopt them out. I accidentally turned it on. Dozens are being put down every week. It's so heart breaking. And it's all because of back yard breeders. They let their dogs breed, sell off what they can, then dump them when they get sick on the humane society who doesn't turn away animals.

I'm turning in my application to start volunteering as soon as I know my work schedule for the year. It's going to be very hard to volunteer there and see these dogs go without homes and get put down.

I wish I could take one. Me and hubby have decided to look for a home that will allow dogs so that next year we can adopt one. I just wish there was more we could do. But volunteering is all I can do at this point. And informing people of the evils of breeding.

I just had to share my thoughts. Don't buy when shelter animals suffer and die.

[nonamian_girl]

It's really sad isn't it?
I had to stop volunteering at my shelter because they have so many stray cats now that they are stashing them anywhere they can, including my socializing space.

And then you meet people like my neighbour's 7 year old who came up to me and said "we had guinea pigs, but my dad let them out in the wild". This calls for an emoticon:

Oh and my sister told me the girl got another guinea pig, but I think it was just made up playground talk. Nonetheless I got very upset.

[PiggieMom]

It just makes me so angry. There are these breeders who sit in the parking lot of Wal-Mart (how trashy can you get?) and sell these expensive "pure-bred" puppies. They were out there all summer selling them out of their truck, even in the most humid heat. They puppies looke so miserable. I don't know how they can live with themselves with so many dogs dieing weekly in our shelter.

[nonamian_girl]

I know, I was driving down a major road and there were signs advertising puppies for sale on someone's lawn. It never ends. But I must admit that what made me feel a lot better is the Mission Statement posted by Cavy Spirit, and how we are helping one animal at a time. Especially considering that I don't shut up about it to all my friends and my coworkers and my family .

[PiggieMom]

Yeah. I do like to read the mission statement here too. Sometimes it feels like we're fighting a losing battle and that it will never get better. But someone has to do it.

[nonamian_girl]

Here's one I just found out though: I took my sister and a 6 year old friend of hers to the humane society for a tour one day, and now I am being told that my sister told the 6 year old to only adopt animals and never buy them, and the 6 year old told her parents, and they are now adopting a kitten!

So you lose a lot, but you win some too.

[PiggieMom]

Thanks NG. I needed a story like that. Kids are so cute.

[jeep mama]

Our Wal-Mart here doesn't let you sell or give away pets on their property. They work with our local SPCA and have adoption weekends. There is always a board posted in the pet department with pictures of animals that need to be adopted.

[Lyndsay]

There was a letter to the editor yesterday about someone who was volunteering in one of our local shelters, and was very disturbed. We have had alot of problems at the main one here. If you google Thunder Bay's Humane Society, I'm sure many hits will come up. Anyways the most recent thing this person said was that it's under a new owner, and he thinks that a lot of animals will be put down, because there is nothing to do with them. I heard from a friend of mines sister that they had two guinea pigs, which is rare, because last I heard they stopped at rabbits, but I felt bad, cause there isn't a thing I can do. I'll try and find the article, and type it out for you. Thunder Bay is in some huge animal crisis, and its funny that it starts after Super Pet has its grand re-opening....*grumbles*

[HowietheGreat]

If we can turn one person's head then we have succeeded. One person tells another person and that perosn tells another. All we can do is take baby steps, cry and mourn over the losses and celebrate loudly over our successes. The only failure that is ours, is the potential failure if we quit. If we can save one life and open a persons eyes to the need that exists in our shelters, then we have achieved a great success. I say thank you to those of us who keep trying, and keep fighting, no matter the odds, to save a life.

[princesspenelop]

Originally Posted by PiggieMom

I don't know how they can live with themselves with so many dogs dieing weekly in our shelter.

Because they don't see them as living beings, as family members, but rather as "things" that can be replaced easily. There are times I feel overwhelmed too, but I remind myself of the seastar story, of how a person can make difference, one at a time.

[Lyndsay]

Hehe, I opened up todays paper, to find a picture of what I believe is a silkie up for adoption at the centre, I called, and they still have him, I believe I will have another guinea pig tomorrow everyone

[PiggieMom]

Lyndsay! That's such great news.

[fourbwabbys]

That's fabulous!