Shelters, Pets and Gifts
@nanette64 (20364)
Fairfield, Texas
December 20, 2015 9:49am CST
@Berniezeitler suggested I write about how shelters are run and things people should think about when getting a pet. As a Director for an animal shelter for 5 years, I can tell you that in the USA, there are 4,000-6,000 shelters with 6-8 million animals entering every year. 3-4 million are adopted and 3-4 million are euthanized. And the number of animals adopted and returned is 20%. Why?
The shelters are more interested in getting animals out than they are about to whom and where they are going. At our shelter, we had a full page of questions for the prospective adopter and we were very strict.
Just because little Johnnie 'wants' a dog, doesn't mean he should have one because guess who will be taking care of the animal? Not Johnnie; you, and you better be ready to take on the responsibility. Just throwing a bowl of food and water down does not mean you are ready to have a pet.
Take into consideration: vet bills, vet insurance, yearly shots, food, shelter from the heat and cold (if outside), bedding, training, grooming, playing and spending time with the animal (dog or cat).
Also, giving a pet as a gift is a no-no. Animals are not 'gifts' to be given like a new pair of shoes. You might think it's a kind thing to do but will the person getting the animal really 'want' it. Are they ready to take care of and afford the animal. It doesn't matter if it's Christmas, a birthday or Valentine's Day, a pet is not a gift.
23 people like this
19 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
20 Dec 15
Your words are so true Nanette. Not everyone should have a pet. They are just the same as humans need love and lots of care to be cared for.
6 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
20 Dec 15
Exactly @TiarasOceanView . Out of all the animals we adopted out, only 1 came back and do you know why? The dog jumped on the small child and knocked him down. Big deal!! What a ridiculous excuse. They definitely did not need a dog. And probably not a child either.
6 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
20 Dec 15
@nanette64 That is an excuse for sure. Ridiculous the way people are so fickle with an animals life.
5 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
20 Dec 15
@TiarasOceanView We had one family call us and said they wanted to bring a dog back because he BARKED. After telling them that's what a dog does, I explained how to train him only to bark when necessary. Chances are, they took the dog to a different shelter because they didn't want to take the 'time' to train the dog.
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137249)
• United States
21 Dec 15
Hello, @nanette64 .
I love what you have written here!
Too many times I see pets left outside with no shelter, no food or water. It does not matter what the weather may be like, either. I don't understand how people can think about getting/keeping an animal of any kind if they aren't willing to put in the time, energy and money that the pet requires for its basic care/needs!
I have neither the time or energy to take care of a pet. I used to tease my daughter that she is all the "pet" I am willing to take/accept the responsibility of caring for, providing for and keeping entertained/amused.
I need to check on something, but I will ask you a question first, if you don't mind?
Have you ever heard of a site called thegreatergood? I'm not sure what all they do, but one thing I know about is they give money/food for shelters to help ease the strain on budgets by helping pay for food/upkeep for the animals in that shelter.
5 people like this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
27 Jan 16
@nanette64 I agree with the statement about having a check list when people go into a place to adopt a pet. Not everyone should have one. I had a Sheltie from the time she was 5 weeks old until I had to put her to sleep at 15 years old. I also had a Newfoundland/Black Lab mix and 3 cats all at the same time.
Before I got the Newfie/Black lab mix I was at one of the big dog shows in New York and saw a friend that raised Newfoundlands. It was then that I wanted a pure breed put I couldn't afford the expense of buying one so I put my name on an adoption list and it took over a year and I got the call for 2 of them.
One was less than 2 years old and the other was 8 years old and a total mess. The couple that had her got divorced and the man got her but never took her out for walks or played with her. She spent everyday and night in a crate. I was told if I took the younger one the older one would be put to sleep. Of course I took the big one.
I told them at the kennel that I had to bring my big dog with me to meet the Newfie and make sure they would get along. People just jump into things without realizing the needs of an animal. I went through a complete check list from the kennel and I in turn want to make sure she was right for my family. She fit in just fine with all my other animals.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
21 Dec 15
I agree @DaddyEvil ; people think animals are 'things' and don't require even the basics. I wonder how they'd feel if they were tied up outside in 106 degree weather or 20 below zero. I have not heard of that site. Walmart helps with food but they are very inconsistent.
3 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
20 Dec 15
Very true words in the past I had volunteered with another friend and we would go in and look at the dogs on the kill list we would bathe and groom them to make them look adoptable. In fact one I took home myself. I had seen some animals returned over and over again because people found out that they took to much of their time and expense. If you are not ready for that then don't get a pet as you will be doing them no favor.
3 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
21 Dec 15
@nanette64
I feel like slapping some people also when they don't seem to take proper care of their pets.
2 people like this
@vandana7 (100112)
• India
25 Dec 15
@nanette64 ..but when they are out there in the woods, they eat raw food, right? :) I think their bodies might be developing better resistance that way.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
21 Dec 15
Sometimes I think people think an animal will be able to cook their own food, scoop their litter box, brush themselves, open the door to go out to the bathroom; etc. @Marcyaz . It really makes me want to slap these people in the heads.
3 people like this
@ElicBxn (63568)
• United States
20 Dec 15
So true! I have a little cat rescue. We don't place a lot of cats, but none of the ones we've placed have come back. Why? Well, first, we only place the well socialized ones, the ones without bad habits. Second, we screen the people who are adopting. Two of the three last cats were placed as soon to be replacements for long lived, well beloved cats and the last with a couple who had many cats, and just happened to be cat-less at the moment.
5 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
20 Dec 15
Bless your heart @ElicBxn . I have 12 indoor, 2 outdoor (partial ferals) and I take care of 1 that got abandoned at a mobile home up the road. They're all "my kids". Keep up the great work.
3 people like this
@ElicBxn (63568)
• United States
20 Dec 15
@nanette64 We have 3 very feral cats in the house. They were brought in as babies, but I didn't have time or space to work with them. But its okay, they are fixed and safe.
2 people like this
@Bluedoll (16773)
• Canada
21 Dec 15
@nanette64 The tank is a good size. But they keep growing. I think I have maybe two more years, not sure as far as aquarium standards go. But I might try to find them a new home this summer will see..
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
21 Dec 15
You either need to get a larger tank or find someone who does who has a larger one. Fish breathe oxygen from the water supply and if they are too large for the tank, they will suffocate and die @Bluedoll .
1 person likes this
@cindiowens (5120)
• North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
20 Dec 15
Very good advice.
5 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
20 Dec 15
Thank you @cindiowens . I'm the 'critter talker'.
3 people like this
@vandana7 (100112)
• India
22 Dec 15
That is highly informative. Now my contention here is, nobody really comes equipped with skills to train dogs (for example). So would some literature be provided so that they know how the particular breed that they are taking home should be trained? And what type of food, and shots it needs. And what it is capable of the good and the bad. Some dogs love to eat sofa and that bad needs to be highlighted, right? And some dogs (most) get worms...and ticks, and where to buy the stuff. I love dogs. But there is no way I can keep one here. Our home is way too small. But I keep dreaming. :) Some day I will have a large house and a nice dog that will run on the lawn. :) May be I will run with it too. :)
3 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
22 Dec 15
We always told the prospective adopters about any oddities about the dog or cat @vandana7 . They were always given a list of their shots and when it would be next. What type of food they had been eating. I made sure that I worked with all the dogs so that they at least knew the commands: sit, stay, come.
2 people like this
@veganbliss (3895)
• Adelaide, Australia
21 Dec 15
Is your animal shelter a No-Kill shelter?
2 people like this
That's so good to see!@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
21 Dec 15
Absolutely @veganbliss . There wasn't even an animal shelter in our county and our city was the county seat for crying out loud. That's why I donated my land to have the shelter built. I took care of them 24/7 and at one time we had 106 dogs and 20 cats. I even had a mobile home put on the property just for the cats to live in. We even adopted out to Maine, Michigan and Ohio and literally drove the animal to the new owners and they are all happy as can be. The owners keep in touch with us and send us pictures.
2 people like this
@rebelann (112734)
• El Paso, Texas
20 Dec 15
I couldn't agree more. The other thing many people don't consider is that animals have personalities so sometimes you may want to adopt an older pet but what if your personalities clash, that's one issue few take into consideration. Sometimes that personality clash happens with the puppies or kittens we raise, but that just makes it harder on both the 2 and 4legger
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
21 Dec 15
I know @rebelann . Believe it not the 1 mamma and 4 kittens I rescued now hate each others guts and the Mamma won't hesitate to smack them around. I have Mamma in my bedroom and the 4 kids in the rest of the house.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
20 Dec 15
Very true @jstory07 and it saddens me that there are 70 million stray animals on the streets trying to survive.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (470631)
• Switzerland
21 Dec 15
@nanette64 I know, but too many people seem not to understand that animals have sentiments too.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
21 Dec 15
Exactly @LadyDuck . Just like children, animals: bleed, feel cold and heat, get hungry and sick and feel lonely.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
21 Dec 15
That is something people don't understand @Plethos . Depending on the 'kind' of food they are fed, dogs can live from 12-15 years; cats can live from 15-24 years. That's why if older people get a pet, the animal should be farther along in years and for parents, if they get a pup or kitten, eventually the kid will leave the house and the parents will probably wind up taking care of it. These are things people need to take into consideration.
2 people like this
@HanVanMeegerin (1161)
• United States
21 Dec 15
@nanette64 thank you for sharing your insights about this important topic.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
21 Dec 15
You are welcome @HanVanMeegerin . The more people know, the better things could get.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
30 Dec 15
another thing that gets me is people who just go get a dog, with no understanding of breeds and what makes sense. You aren't an active person and have no plans to change that? Prob don't need a whippet or a greyhound, or any other super active dog. Some breeds make better apartment dogs, some are better for various lifestyles. Puppys are like having a toddler, so some people would be much better off adopting a senior dog. I know mutts one might not know right off where that dog fits, but, still, do the research!
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
30 Dec 15
I agree @Jessicalynnt . There are so many people out there who shouldn't have animals or kids because they are devoid of common sense.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
21 Dec 15
Oh no @akalinus . Apparently those people didn't really care.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
20 Dec 15
There are far too many irresponsible pet owners who do not really take good care of their pets. It annoys me beyond belief how some people are so stupid. A pet needs love, inclusion as part of the family, Feeding, walking, toileting, training and to be firm but kind to it. If you teach them from an early age you will have a friend for life.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
21 Dec 15
Oh so true @garymarsh6 . I have always gone out of my way to help animals and I won't hesitate for a second to tell the owners they are idiots.
1 person likes this
