Long-Term Care - The Problem

In traditional shelters, animals that became ill would be euthanized, as would dogs that showed any kind of aggressive behavior. Less severe problems, such as shyness, hyperactive behavior, or unfriendliness, would soon have the same result because potential adopters would not choose those animals. Traditional shelters did not have to worry about an animal's physical or mental health deteriorating from exposure to the shelter environment because no animal stayed very long. Either they were adopted, and the love of their new family quickly healed what little damage might have been done - or their time ran out.

No-kill shelters DO have to be concerned with these issues, though. Animals that are sick or exhibit behavior problems are not simply disposed of. They are kept with the hope that their problems can be cured, and they can be adopted. The challenge is to keep from creating more problems during their stay. Dogs and cats that live in shelters for weeks and even months need more than food, water, and newspaper or concrete to sleep on. They need exercise, mental stimulation, and toys. They need a quiet place where they can rest on a soft bed, a chance to socialize with their own kind and to spend time with people. Failure to provide these things to longer-term shelter animals will result in the cat who stays in a far corner of his cage, back turned to the world, or the dog who continuously paces back and forth or throws herself against the cage door.

Fortunately, animal care experts are working to meet these challenges with new ideas in shelter design and creative approaches to improving the quality of life for shelter animals. Next month, we'll look at some of these innovative ideas.

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