Shelter pets need our help.

It is estimated that 1.5 million family pets are euthanized every year across the united states. Pets are typically put to sleep by a sedative and then then Phentyion/pentobarbital. Euthanasia means "good death." A term largely misused in shelter medicine. Many of these animals are not sick or even old, they are simply unwanted. The most common reason why pets are killed at shelters is behavioral problems and lack of space. Many pets can live 10 to 20 years a commitment which many individuals fail to provide. Many of the reasons include moving, lack of time, new family members, and the list goes on. How do we recitfy this? Life has many changes. If one can not commit to these terms then simply do not adopt. Instead volunteer at a local animal shelter where you can provide necessary and meaningful companionship without taking on another dependent if one is unable to do so.

Unless your pet is lucky enough to get taken in by a rescue many of these pets who enter shelters will not get out alive. Shelter life is a hard life where the potential to deteriorate mentally and physically is a real possibility. Dogs that are stressed do not present well. They are most likely a perfectly good dog but the average adopter may not understand that pets in shelter may bark, growl or even shake aggressively. These are normal physiological responses that occur in response to emotional and physical systems within any given individual. Because of the abundance of care these animals need many will not get walked or interacted with in healthy ways that bring about emotional and physical health. They will be forced to sit in a cage with the hopes of being able to stretch their legs and their minds past the lonely cell they are expected to stay in.

Animal shelters across the nation are in crisis with overcrowding and lack of proper management these animals are suffering. Family pets surrendered to county shelters specifically need to hire people who are thoroughly trained in animal behavior, animal welfare, and animal husbandry who have the knowledge and ability to handle complex issues that arise within shelter systems. Sick animals and those specifically with respiratory and skin issues that are highly contagious need to be treated and quarentined before entering the adoption floor. Their needs to be enough staff to properly care for the animals as they come in to maintain a standard of animal welfare and husbandry. The industry within the fields of animal care has been lacking economically. The community needs to realize that it takes extensive knowledge and training to do this work. Paying workers poorly and directors not honoring their job as animal care professionals feeds the cycle of animal abuse.

In a perfect world every shelter would have enough staff to treat sick animals properly, and provide enrichment of thirty minutes of exercise a day per dog, as well as a clean environment for the duration of the family pet's stay. Shelters are also desperate for reliable adopters. Pets need to be vaccinated and spayed or neutered before being sent to their new placement as some adopters will neglect this responsibility thus feeding the cycle of unwanted pets.

Pets give unconditional love and support. Having a pet is not like having a car or a piece of furniture you no longer need. They are living breathing sentient beings deserving of fair treatment and a good life. We owe it to them to be better guardians and to take the life of another as we would our own.