The Dog Rescuers
Have you have ever wondered about the fate of dogs whose owners leave them, or are lost by accident? The unlucky may finish their days in a pound before being put to sleep.
The lucky ones will end up in an animal shelter; with a possibility of being rehomed with a new family; the shelters have encouraged neutering and spaying. This means fewer unwanted puppies from dogs without owners.
Not all animals which end up in the shelters are unwanted pets. Sometimes the owner can no longer look after their animal due to sickness; death, neglect and handicap can also force a hard choice.
On the flip side, some might end up in shelters because they were too much to handle for their owner, they may have become too boisterous around the children or had some behavioral issue.
Adopting from an animal shelter is a really worthy way of getting a new pet. Why buy a new puppy when there are hundreds of animals wishing desperately for a new home.
There are some aspects to remember when you adopt from an animal shelter. The dogs rarely come with any medical history, so any future illnesses or conditions cannot be predicted.
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.
You will have to be patient as the dog settles into your home, and be prepared for the odd accident, as it can be very stressful for an animal to change locations to unfamiliar circumstances.
In the United States the Humane Society works for animal protection. A national NPO, it has its hub in DC. You will be able to find a regional branch near you wherever you live in the USA. It receives no government funding.
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.
There are ways you can aid the Society though. Adoption is a massive benefit. Fundraising is essential for the work of the organization. Volunteers make up a large part of the workforce.
These are the contributions you can make to the Humane Society. If animal shelters didn’t exist, the fate of unwanted animals would be a lot bleaker. So extend the same humanity to animals as you would expect to receive yourself.