Overwhelming Cutness Meets Overcrowded Shelters 🏡
Puppies and kittens are undeniably adorable, but animal shelters across the country are overwhelmed and overcrowded, causing stress on veterinarians, shelters, and the pets themselves.
The Homelessness Crisis 📈
According to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), there are approximately 70 million homeless dogs and cats on any given day. This crisis is largely due to the failure to spay and neuter pets, leading to more animals than there are loving homes.
Dependency on Humans 👫
Because humans have domesticated cats and dogs, these animals rely on people for basic needs like food, water, veterinary care, and safety.
The Ever-Changing Stray Situation 🐶
Patricia, Shelter Director at the Eva Burrell Animal Shelter, notes that the number of strays they take in is constantly changing as new strays are consistently surrendered.
The Root of the Problem 🌳
Patricia emphasizes that most strays brought to Eva Burrell are not altered. A significant barrier is the stigma associated with neutering, especially male dogs. Some owners refuse to fix their male dogs, thinking it’s unnecessary since males don’t have the babies.
Delta County Animal Shelter’s Perspective 🐱
Vonnie Bruce, Shelter Operations Manager at Delta County Animal Shelter, shares similar experiences. The majority of strays they receive are not fixed, with cats often being brought in as strays and dogs typically surrendered by owners.
Adoption Challenges 🐕
Certain breeds, such as pit bulls or other aggressive types, face difficulties getting adopted. Additionally, older animals and those judged by their appearance tend to stay longer in shelters.
“We always urge not to judge a book by its cover. You never know until you meet a dog who could be the perfect fit. Sometimes, it may surprise you. Senior animals often wait longer to be adopted, but taking in an older pet can be the most rewarding thing to do,” Bruce said.
Shelter Capacities and Seasons 📅
Delta County Shelter has space for 26 dogs and often faces a waitlist when capacity is reached. Although they rarely hit capacity for cats, they see an influx during spring and summer due to kitten season.
Patricia mentions that Eva Burrell uses ‘colony rooms’ for cats, with capacity depending on the cats’ personalities. They also rely on foster homes for additional housing.
The Benefits of Adopting from Shelters 🏥
One of the best ways to ensure pets are fixed is to adopt from shelters like Delta or Eva Burrell.
“Our animals are altered before adoption, or the adopter is given a certificate to spay and neuter through Thompson Vet Clinic at mostly our expense,” Patricia said.
Cost-Effective Pet Care 💵
Adopting from shelters can mitigate costs associated with microchipping, vaccinations, and altering. Bruce advises that spaying or neutering a new pet might be beyond some owners’ budgets, making shelter adoption a cost-effective alternative.
“If spaying or neutering a new pet is not within a pet owner’s price range, we recommend adopting from a shelter as animals are fixed prior to adoption, and adoption fees are very affordable considering all that is included,” Bruce said.
The Importance of Spaying and Neutering 🔧
Both Bruce and Patricia stress the importance of spaying and neutering, noting that fixing even one animal can help alleviate the problem.
“If even one animal is spayed or neutered, it’s a win,” Patricia said.
How You Can Help 🤝
Shelters constantly seek support from the public, whether through monetary donations or supplies. Every bit of help makes a difference in managing the overwhelming numbers of homeless pets.
