Salvation for Man’s Best Friend
What happens to abandoned dogs, or those who run away, or get lost? Many end up in pounds where it is only a matter of time before they are put down.
Animal shelters, which take in unwanted dogs and try to rehome them, have been driving home the message over the last five to ten years the importance of spaying and neutering dogs. This has helped reduce the numbers of stray dogs in many parts of the USA.
It is rare for the pet to be at fault when they come to a shelter. Death, handicap, illness or neglect could all be factors in their abandonment.
Aggressive dogs also end up in shelters when the owner can no longer cope; it must be said though that training and environment play a great role in the temperament of the dog.
If you want a new dog, look first at a shelter. They have mixed and pure breeds desperately waiting for a new owner.
The points to remember when you choose a dog from a shelter are something to think about. Usually there is no clue as to treatment or health of the animal prior to its arrival at the shelter, so you might be in for a surprise in terms of chronic infections or inherited disease.
Likewise the shelter can rarely vouch for the animal’s temperament, so caution should be exercised, especially if you are choosing a dog to be around your kids. In addition be prepared to have to do a little dog obedience with your new pet to iron out any bad habits his former owner allowed him to have.
The first days and weeks are bound to be a learning curve for you and your dog, so be gentle but firm.
Thankfully organizations such as The Humane Society exist to protect animal in the USA. The HQ can be found in Washington DC. Its influence spreads countrywide with regional branches. It relies solely on voluntary contributions.
The Humane Society is active in the protection of native species as well as pets and livestock. It is the voice of animal rights, lobbying for better conditions, prosecuting those who ill treat, educating people about animals and caring for the natural world.
If you are looking for a pet the Humane Society can help; its local branches hold many unwanted animals looking for new homes.
You might feel you want to support the Humane Society; if so there are three ways you can do it. Offering a home to an abandoned pet is an enormous help. You can support the Society by giving a regular amount of money to their fund raising efforts. You might also consider lending a hand in a shelter.
These are all valuable contributions. The Humane Society and shelters are a ray of hope for abandoned and injured animals. Please don’t remain complacent about the fate of unwanted animals; the truth can be very sad.