Throughout the country there exist a number of pet shelters whose primary aim is to care for abandoned, abused or lost pets. These shelters typically offer assistance to domesticated animals such as birds, dogs and cats but do, on occasion, offer assistance to more exotic animals. They provide an invaluable service to our communities. Often, they operate on budgets ruled primarily by donations. They are also often understood.
There is an overwhelming belief that pet shelters only exist to put stray pets ‘down.’ Many American’s believe that sole purpose of pet shelters is population control. While it is true that many shelters do indeed put some animals down, it is not their primary goal.
Instead, pet shelters exist to rescue abused or abandoned animals, to care for lost or injured pets and to place animals in loving and safe homes. This process often involves taking sick or injured animals, nursing them back to health, spaying or neutering the animals and, finally, adopting the pet. This process can be long and expensive.
Some pet shelters are designed to care for particular animals. This is particularly true in the case of several dog breeds. Gray Hounds and Pitt Bulls are two examples. Any breed that requires specific care or has unique needs that makes them more difficult to place are often better served by a shelter that is familiar with their needs.
The services provided by pet shelters are invaluable, not only to the pets they service but to the larger community. Without pet shelters it is likely that communities across the country would experience an explosion in feral or diseased animals. The number of strays would grow exponentially without access to neutering and spaying services. Pet shelters help keep pets and our communities safe and healthy.
Anyone interested in supporting their local pet shelter is encouraged to make a donation in the form of money or of time. Most shelters are sorely in need of both.