SO last night I watched a special on HBO that changed my entire outlook on euthanasia in animal shelters. It used to be, that I would only support the Humane Society becuase they do not euthanize animals; they will keep them alive as long as it takes to find a home, or until the inevitable happens. I'm curious to know what everyone's opinion is on this subject, as mine has now been altered.
The shelter they did the documentary about was owned and operated (not-for-profit) by a women who purchased the shelter 8 years ago and lives on the premises. She believes that euthanasia is the more humane choice in many cases; mostly due to the mental, emotional, and physical demise that is a result of a surrendered animal who has spent the remainder of his/her life in a cage.
Dogs who have been surrendered because they bite, could get re-adopted, and cause harm to another person which leads again to the vicious cycle of adoption and re-surrender.
Dogs who are considered "to old" can spend the rest of their lives in "humane" shelters (for many, many years) and never, even get another night's sleep without hearing other dogs howl, cry and scream. The get excersize by jumping vertical. Eventually they will spin around and around out of sheer frusteration. They no longer respons to human contact, and can become displacent or mean. After a few years of this, even if they find a new home, they are virtually unadoptable anyway because they are no longer able to adapt to a new home.
This particular woman did not euthanize every dog that came through the shelter; she posted flyers, internet photos, and made personal phone calls for each and every dog that came in. She made up what she called "adoption rooms" where she would put in an old love seat or chair, with lots of colors on the walls and bedding.
I cried through the entire show. I was SO against euthanasia, until I watched this program. Anyone who has HBO on demand the program is called "Shelter Dogs" and is available until January 8. Please see it before you decide on a dog. I looked at all three of my shelter dogs and felt so good about the decision I made that saved their lives.
What is your opinion on this subject? You can read more stats here:
http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/shelter_dogs/
The shelter they did the documentary about was owned and operated (not-for-profit) by a women who purchased the shelter 8 years ago and lives on the premises. She believes that euthanasia is the more humane choice in many cases; mostly due to the mental, emotional, and physical demise that is a result of a surrendered animal who has spent the remainder of his/her life in a cage.
Dogs who have been surrendered because they bite, could get re-adopted, and cause harm to another person which leads again to the vicious cycle of adoption and re-surrender.
Dogs who are considered "to old" can spend the rest of their lives in "humane" shelters (for many, many years) and never, even get another night's sleep without hearing other dogs howl, cry and scream. The get excersize by jumping vertical. Eventually they will spin around and around out of sheer frusteration. They no longer respons to human contact, and can become displacent or mean. After a few years of this, even if they find a new home, they are virtually unadoptable anyway because they are no longer able to adapt to a new home.
This particular woman did not euthanize every dog that came through the shelter; she posted flyers, internet photos, and made personal phone calls for each and every dog that came in. She made up what she called "adoption rooms" where she would put in an old love seat or chair, with lots of colors on the walls and bedding.
I cried through the entire show. I was SO against euthanasia, until I watched this program. Anyone who has HBO on demand the program is called "Shelter Dogs" and is available until January 8. Please see it before you decide on a dog. I looked at all three of my shelter dogs and felt so good about the decision I made that saved their lives.
What is your opinion on this subject? You can read more stats here:
http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/shelter_dogs/
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