No kill shelters ?

[Quercus]

Well, yeah…..no kill generally means they won't euthanize any adoptable animal. I guess it is up to each shelter to decide what is "adoptable". Personally, if you have an older animal, or an aggressive animal, or even an animal with a behavioral problem (barking, litter box issues) a shelter is most likely going to euthanize it, because people don't want to adopt those animals, generally.

To some extent, people need to take personal responsiblity. If your cat/dog isn't likely to be adopted, then either you need to find a way to do a private adoption, euthanize the poor animal yourself, or find a way to make it work in your home. Too many people expect shelters to do their dirty work when a pet doesn't work out. 'Oh, I don't want to kill Fluffy, I just want you to find her a new home'....that doesn't really seem fair to the shelter....

[Quercus]

I guess it helps if you know the alternative to "no kill" as well. As I said, "no kill" means no adoptable animal is euth'd. But there are shelters that will euthanize dogs based on totally arbitrary characteristices…i.e. 'no one in this city likes to adopt big, black dogs, so we we euthanize them after three days'. Or dog "pounds"/animal control....most of them have a three day holding requirement, then they euthanize any pets not claimed or adopted. Those are what are traditionally known as a "kill" shelters.

[sharronhurlbut]

Sadly, until the general public starts spay/nuetering their pets, we will have an excess of unwanted animals.
Shelters are the bottom line and its crummy for the shelter staff.
I wish every animal could be as loved as our basenjis!

[Quercus]

@sharronhurlbut:

Sadly, until the general public starts spay/nuetering their pets, we will have an excess of unwanted animals.
Shelters are the bottom line and its crummy for the shelter staff.
I wish every animal could be as loved as our basenjis!

Sharron,

I think it is even a bigger problem than that. I think until people stop thinking of pets as disposable, we will have a problem with shelters. The dogs that are being euthanized aren't puppies that are a product of unaltered pets…they are dogs that people thought they wanted, then changed their minds, and turned them into the shelter.

A few months ago, I was at a large urban shelter on a Sunday...we had a tour of the facility...and there was a steady stream of people, standing in line, dropping off their former pets because they couldn't keep them anymore. It was heartbreaking.....far more people dropping off, than adopting that day....

I wish your same wish for all pets too

[tanza]

@Quercus:

Sharron,

I think it is even a bigger problem than that. I think until people stop thinking of pets as disposable, we will have a problem with shelters. The dogs that are being euthanized aren't puppies that are a product of unaltered pets…they are dogs that people thought they wanted, then changed their minds, and turned them into the shelter.

A few months ago, I was at a large urban shelter on a Sunday...we had a tour of the facility...and there was a steady stream of people, standing in line, dropping off their former pets because they couldn't keep them anymore. It was heartbreaking.....far more people dropping off, than adopting that day....

I wish your same wish for all pets too

I totally agree with you Andrea… it is the public impression that pets are disposable... the drop off rate and the reasons are totally out of control... and I have heard way to many times then I can count... "I took my dog/cat the shelter cause it was _____________ fill in the blank with, old, sick, too much work, the kids are gone, we want to travel.... very sad

And while I support Spay/neuter, just like CA AB1634 tried to force spay/neuter, this will NOT solve the problem... public education will at least help... but again it comes down to owners responsibility.. and Andrea hit the nail on the head... if the choice is PTS, then the owners need to stand up and take responisbility and have their pet PTS... (in my opinion, holding the animal as it go over the rainbow bridge).....

[Barklessdog]

This brings around at times I feel very guilty about buying pure breed dogs, (from a breeder never a pet store), when there are so many great adoptable dogs out there.

We just really wanted the whole puppy experience and that a basenji was the right fit for family- but still I feel guilty about not rescueing some poor dog. Lets face it, basenji's a very cool dogs, I don't regret it 90% of the time.

I have a neighbor who only rescues old dogs that would have been put down. Her latest dog is a little old Shitzue Cocka poo thing that is blind, missing most it's teeth so it's tongue hangs out. she's this blind little frail dog and my male tri just loves her. He is so gentle with her, when he meets her.

I really admire someone like her. I wish I could be that person

[lvoss]

@Quercus:

Sharron,

I think it is even a bigger problem than that. I think until people stop thinking of pets as disposable, we will have a problem with shelters. The dogs that are being euthanized aren't puppies that are a product of unaltered pets…they are dogs that people thought they wanted, then changed their minds, and turned them into the shelter.

A few months ago, I was at a large urban shelter on a Sunday...we had a tour of the facility...and there was a steady stream of people, standing in line, dropping off their former pets because they couldn't keep them anymore. It was heartbreaking.....far more people dropping off, than adopting that day....

I wish your same wish for all pets too

This is so true. I have been volunteering about 6 hours a week at my local animal shelter. Spay/neuter or lack there of is really not why those dogs are in the shelter. Many are there because their owners have abandoned them. Many are night drop offs. Many of these dogs have nuisance behaviors and need training. That is what I spend my hours there working on. The dogs we work with learn sit, down, loose leash walking. Several of the dogs there have been there for months. These are large dogs many of them black and are over 3 years old.

As long as there is a demand for dogs there will be someone to meet that demand. Until people learn that owning a dog is a lifetime commitment then we will continue to have shelter dogs.

[Basenji_Boy]

That's one of the best parts of this forum, to educate the one's that may be thinking about perpetuating the problem and in some cases unknowingly.
That is the goal of many on this forum and it's why so many are here everyday asking the questions.

I don't second guess buying our purebred dogs like we did. I applaud those that are willing to rescue dogs that need a home, those folks are special in my mind.

I think in both cases a contribution is being made to help the breed we all love.

So many ways to get involved and help…..........contribute what you can, every little bit helps

Inform and educate.

[tanza]

@Basenji_Boy:

That's one of the best parts of this forum, to educate the one's that may be thinking about perpetuating the problem and in some cases unknowingly.
That is the goal of many on this forum and it's why so many are here everyday asking the questions.

I don't second guess buying our purebred dogs like we did. I applaud those that are willing to rescue dogs that need a home, those folks are special in my mind.

I think in both cases a contribution is being made to help the breed we all love.

So many ways to get involved and help…..........contribute what you can, every little bit helps

Inform and educate.

Exactly.. B.Boy… Inform and Educate....

[sharronhurlbut]

You all make great points and I agree with you all.
BUT I still think the public is adding to the population pet overcrowding, by having intact dogs.
This should not in my opinion effect show dogs, as this is a whole other catagory.
But, if they can give the distinction to cars, motorcycles, and trucks, why can't they give the distinction to show dogs, pet dogs and the like?
I mean, its not brain surgery.
I do understand everyone having issues with across the board pet legistation…but I think it can be broken up into sections, and handled according.
Again, We need responsible show breeders and this is a totally different sect from the bubba's that just put 2 dogs together.