Things I didn’t know about animal rescues/shelters
To start off with, I am a kennel manager at a very small non profit animal rescue. We have dogs and livestock animals and we are non kill meaning we do not euthanize unless there is a clear reason for humane purposes or safety purposes.
With that being said let’s go to the list….
1~ WE ARE ALMOST ALL AT MAX CAPACITY
To elaborate, prior to working here I had absolutely no idea how many dogs there are in rescue. And especially that most rescues are at max capacity when it comes to animals. We currently have 16 dogs and most of them have sat for multiple years.
2~ PEOPLE JUST DUMP DOGS ON THE HIGHWAY??
Yeah so this one I had no clue was an actual issue. But now that I’ve worked in this job for nearly 2 years I see how absolutely common and foolish this problem is. For context, people dump on the highway so dogs get hit and they don’t get held responsible for dumping.
3~ EVERYONE WANTS TINY DOGS
This one might be bias because I have always preferred large dogs. But most people demand untrained puppies, and from personal experience this is a horrible wish 😅 Please for your sanity do you want a puppy, give it up and foster a senior.
4~HOW FOSTERING DOGS WORKS
In our rescue specifically, when you foster a dog you aren’t financially responsible for vet bills or much of anything really. You can also chose to adopt eventually and do not have to give the dog up unless they find a different family that’s willing to fully adopt.
5~HOW MANY DOGS GET RESCUED FROM THE BORDER
About a year ago we got an intake for 12 tiny lab puppies who were covered in fleas and had parvo. These 12 puppies were accompanied by multiple adult dogs as well. This was purely shocking to me to see exactly how many dogs were being carelessly bred every single day. And how many people waste money on puppies with papers rather than just rescuing one so it does not grow up in rescue.
These are just a few of the things i’ve learned about since working here. This job is exhausting at times due to the emotional aspects of it. I wish everyone would educate themselves and their loved ones about shelters, because very few truly understand. #rescueworker #shelterlife #workday #lemon8challenge #animaladvocate #education #embracevulnerability #rescuedog #nonprofitorganization #animalcare
Animal rescues and shelters are essential organizations that help protect and rehabilitate animals in need. Contrary to popular belief, many of these shelters operate at maximum capacity, often leading to heartbreaking decisions. One alarming trend is the increasing number of dogs being abandoned on highways, a practice that many communities are fighting against. Additionally, the demand for tiny, untrained puppies can overshadow the needs of older dogs, who often make for wonderful companions. Fostering can be a rewarding option; many rescues cover veterinary costs while providing an opportunity for fostering families to adopt if they choose. It's important for potential pet owners to educate themselves on responsible pet ownership and to consider adopting from a shelter instead of purchasing a pet from breeders. Rescue efforts also extend across borders, where shelters frequently receive animals from areas of distress, facing the challenges of neglect and overbreeding. By raising awareness about the realities of animal rescues and shelters, individuals can contribute to the cause and help change lives.
We have rescued quite a few and it is getting too expensive for us. We’re on social security now and we are feeling the pain of inflation. I am so troubled by the abandonment of dogs left by home owners who have lost their homes. Dogs will wait for their owner to come home to the point of starvation.Give us strength.