I volunteered at the Humane Society again today. Man, they are just busting at the seams... they have so many dogs and litters of puppies that they have had to start housing them in the rooms with the cats. There are so many animals there who need homes. It has really started breaking my heart to go there, but I feel like, if I can't adopt an animal right now, I can at least go help make their lives at the shelter better. My next dogs though are definitely being adopted!
It's frustrating for me to not be able to get the word out more to people about all the great animals who are waiting at shelters for someone to take them home. The dogs are not scary or dirty or wild; they are just so purely joyful at the site of you that it fills your heart. I wish I could do more to help them find loving families. So many people out there are BUYING pets while dogs sit in kennels at shelters and hope every day for that to be the day someone walks in and rescues them. All it takes is opening your heart to being that someone for one dog. Adopted dogs are loyal, grateful, and easygoing and often the human ends up feeling like the one who has been rescued.
Many times people go into shelters and get overwhelmed. There are always a lot of animals and, in the dog rooms especially, the noise can be deafening. Before going back to the rooms with the kennels, you should ask the animal attendants if you can pick out a few dogs to take in the yard. That way you can go through the kennel rooms and point out a few you like and the attendants can bring them out in the yard for you to get to know. You should not feel rushed or obligated to pick one immediately. The attendants are glad to let you play with the animals and can usually answer questions about age, breed, and health.
Some shelter employees may seem a bit gruff and standoffish but I think that is because they see so many animals never get adopted and so many people leave empty-handed that they have stopped getting their hopes up -- a reaction that is definitely understandable. But don't let this turn you off; you are there for the animals and you should focus on finding that special one.
If you are considering getting a pet, please check out your local shelter first. They often have purebred dogs if you are set on that, and they always have great animals who are looking for someone to be devoted to.
You can check out the Oktibbeha County Humane Society by clicking here.
Or find a local shelter near you by clicking here.
No comments:
Post a Comment