[Dashdog]

I was at the local animal control shelter today getting one dog a license renewal and the new dog a license. In walked a man and his teenage daughter with two pet carriers each contained a frightened crying cat. They were turning both cats in reason being the girl was going away to college and she was the one that paid attention to the cats. They had gotten the cats from this same shelter 7 years ago. I was dumbfounded as how do you have 2 cats in your home for seven years and not form any type of attacment to them? When you got them 7 years ago for your daughter did you not consider what would happen to them when she went away to school or moved out?

The shelter worker asked if they had the vet records and the reply was they were indoor cats and had never been to the vets. In 7 years these two kitties never even had a vet check up. Why Why did these people get the cats. I know one was a kitten when they got it as the cats are still in the shelters records and the lady said well the white one was a kitten when you got her and she never saw a vet?


I do not know how those of you that work in shelters can retain your composure and be nice to such people as I wanted to smack some sense into that man! I felt so angry when I walked out of there as animals are not something you just throw away when you feel like it.. ERRRRRRRRR!

[zugor]

I wish that all shelters had a big sign that said:

Owner surrendered animals may be killed (not euthanized) immediately

Under that provide the statistics showing what percentage of dogs and of cats that were owner surrendered were killed. Might make a few people think twice.

[FiveHorses]

Originally Posted by Dashdog

animals are not something you just throw away when you feel like it..

Unfortunately, we live in a disposable society. If and when an animal no longer "fits", we can simply wash our hands of it and... and nothing. There's no penalty, there's no comeback, no lingering responsibility for the care of an animal that we knowingly accepted. Oh, but hey - that was seven years ago, we changed our minds since. For them and their ilk, there's nothing except an easy way to dispose of the problem.

As much as I would like to think Zugor's suggestion would make the slightest bit of difference, I don't. I've seen people take a terrified dog in to be "got rid of" because... well, they'd changed indoor colour schemes and the animal no longer matched. I kid you not. And this was somewhere where a surrendered animal would be euthanised within 24 hrs. That didn't worry them, they were already picking out what colour of dog they wanted next by the time they were walking out the door.

I don't think people like this think once, let alone twice. Actually, I'm not sure they think at all - or if they do, it bears no resemblance to what I would call a "mental problem solving process". Don't get me wrong - I don't have a solution. I don't think there is one until there is an overwhelming change in social attitude about fulfilling one's responsibilities in the first place. And sadly, it seems to be going in entirely the wrong direction.

[Wicked Felina]

How do shelter workers do it?

Sadly, some don't.

There is a rescue in our area which is very heavily involved in rescue of some serious cases. They have a lobbyist and have been instrumental in getting anti-cruelty legislation passed and well as campaigning for the prosecution of abusers. Last year one of their primary rescuers committed suicide. Obviously there were other things at play, but some are so sensitive as to not be able to handle the abject cruelty and stupidity that some individuals inflict on animals.

I believe there is a very high turn-over rate in shelter employees. I can never emphasize enough how much I admire and support those on the front lines: the people who dedicate themselves to getting laws passed, rescuing animals even though their methods may be a little outside of the law, and who do so on a consistent, even-tempered basis.

God bless places like that rescue I mentioned, Best Friends and everyone and every place like them.

Your sign is a wonderful idea IMO. And a good does of reality. But I doubt that county and city shelters would put up such a sign, lest they offend someone.

[zugor]

I think many people do not know that any pet they hand over can be killed immediately.

Several years ago I heard of a shelter that was overwhelmed with animals and there was a line of people waiting out the door to o/s theirs. The shelter director came out to the lobby and announced that they were full and all turn ins would have to be PTS immediately and anyone in the line who could try to find a home on their own or at least hold on to the pet for a while longer was strongly encouraged to do so. A great many did leave.

How many of them did finds homes on their own or came back another day is impossible to know but it does tell us that some of them did want the dog or cat to have a chance at a new home and did not want it PTS without any chance.

[Summerz]

The workers must have hearts of steel and gold I am assuming.
After some years working as a Veterinary asst., and yes you see some sad stuff there obviously.
Long story short, the Hospital I was at was sold and the Vet brought his own staff so was the end of that for me there. Anywhoo decided to work at the local Humane Society.
I only lasted 3 weeks. An entirely different experience.
In some ways I feel bad I couldn't handle it.
At that time(it still might be the same I don't know) they did not adopt to College kids due various reason's, course ended up getting yelled at by quite a few college kids.

Ick the stories I could tell but won't go there, Bless those who can handle it for our furry pals.

[dogcrazy]

At me shelter if we dont really have the room and an animals temperment is questionable the people signing them in are told they only have 5 days and then we CAN euthanize.People are told that regardless.I have my days where i cry.Alot lately.SO many animals coming in and NO ONE claiming them.And this is by far the WORST "kitten season" EVER.People dont want to hear it when we tell them to leave the babies to see if the mom will come back.They just want them gone.If the kittens are too young and theres no nursing mom they will be put down.Its too hard to bottlefeed and they usually dont survive anyway.Doesnt change the reality of how sad it is.SPAY AND NEUTER!!!Keep your dogs INSIDE and LICENSED!I have 13 dogs,ALL spayed/neutered,licensed.NEVER get off the property.I dont understand how hard it is to watch your animals!Dont let them live outside,theyre not a lawn ornament.The most frustrating thing for me is that i work in a municipal town shelter..we are not an aspca,we cannot go on peoples property to get an animal and we cannot tell them they cannot have their animal back.We see dogs everyday with heavy thick chains on their neck that clearly live outside,we have people admit it to us everyday.But by law we must release that animal.Every single day i walk around my shelter and say how much i hate people.Its a very tough job but its great when the abused dog youve been working with for months finally gets the greatest home.Thats why im there!Hell even if we wind up putting some down atleast they had a few good weeks there.They were actually fed kept clean,had a blanket to lay on and were loved!Better then the hell they came from.

[dogcrazy]

Ive also become quite racist while at work.But i cant really help it considering its the same crowd 99.9% of the time with the same careless attitude that want to fight and breed pitbulls and keep their dogs outside.Several of my co workers get furious at me for how i act but come on i deal with it everyday!Every time i try to keep an open mind to certain people it winds up being the same thing over and over!Ive become a very angry person since being in this field.I do the best i can.Its just hard because i do love each and every animal that comes in but i cannot take them all home.There is always at least one that i get extrememly attachted to.I always seem to fall for the most abused and hardest to adopt.If of my favorite dogs is on the euth list(i understand why )i will hold them while its being done.Theyre attatched and used to me so i dont want them to be afraid.Its just so sad though.They get their lives ended for no reason other than being unwanted.I feel a little better because i love them all and i would love to take them.Its just very depressing.and i like that i can come on here and vent to people that care and understand.It needs to come out sometimes.

[latetotheparty]

bless you dogcrazy..... you are a much tougher and stronger person than i am........

[FiveHorses]

Originally Posted by dogcrazy

Ive also become quite racist while at work..

Nonsense.

You're basing an opinion on a particular groups actions and attitude. You have learned this from experience - it is not a baseless reaction on your part and I would hazard a guess it doesn't extend to ALL people of a particular race.

If it were a particular segment of, say, purple people exhibiting this attitude and with whom you dealt with frequently, but then a thoroughly good, kind - for won't of a better word - "normal" purple person came in, would still feel/react the same way? I doubt it. Conversely, if some shyte of a green person walk in displaying the attitude of the group of purple people, would you overlook the attitude because the person was green and not purple? No, you wouldn't. It has nothing to do colour.

The mistreatment, absuse or neglect of animals knows no colour. All colours do it and all colours are subject to judgement based on actions.

(I cannot help but think this is just wholly indicative of the woolly thinking that's gripped this nation, but let's not go there.... )