On a serious note... Animal Shelters

In a previous post, I mentioned how I am an active volunteer at an animal shelter. Contrary to popular belief, animal shelters aren't sad, melancholy places that play Sarah McLachlan music all day. The animals there are some of the sweetest and most loving I have ever met. Most of them are simply grateful to be off the streets and to be receiving at least 2 meals per day.

As much as I admire the work that everyone at the animal shelter puts into getting everyone adopted, I don't think they can do it alone. I occasionally visit on weekdays, when I am the only volunteer there, and notice that there are never any people socializing with the animals. Why does this matter? Well, when potential adopters do walk by the dog rooms, the dogs begin barking and trying to get attention. This makes the animals look poorly behaved and hinders their chances of getting adopted.

I must also stress the fact that 98% of the animals at the animal shelter are toilet trained and are not aggressive towards humans. When buying a brand new puppy from a breeder, it's pretty much a shot in the dark when it comes to the dog's personality and train-ability. Most dogs at animal shelters are done growing (which helps avoid unexpected growth spurts.) Sure, puppies are cute but they will only be cute for a couple months, after that they will look like every other dog.

As far as cats go, they are simply cats. I love them to death but I have yet to figure them out. They all have extremely different personalities but they all want two things: food and occasional cuddling (not too different from your ex-boyfriend.) There is nothing more rewarding than to have a cat look at you with gratitude and have them lick you with there sandpaper tongue.

Like the dogs, most cats are litter-box trained and in need of a forever home. Most dogs at the animal shelter live in a room smaller than my bathtub and only get taken out 2-3 times a day for bathroom breaks (which must be quick due to limited staff and lots of dogs.) I am a firm believer that dogs should have room to run around and exercise regularly but this is simply not possible at a shelter.

Next time you, or someone in your family is looking for a pet to love, please please please please please please please go to a shelter before you go to any breeder or pet store. It is also nice to know that all of the animals are spayed/neutered, micro-chipped, and vaccinated. This will save tons of money.

If this post still doesn't convince you to adopt from an animal shelter then maybe this will.

In the aaaaaarms of the aaaaaangel *sniffle*