Homeless Pets

In no-kill shelters, dogs and cats who are not adopted quickly may spend weeks, months or the rest of their lives in the shelter. Fortunately, innovations in disease control, shelter design, and behavior modification are improving the quality of life for these long-term residents.

The no-kill movement is gaining momentum across the country. While this is wonderful news to all animal lovers, the movement has produced a troubling situation that is just now being recognized and addressed.

Much has been written about the evils of puppy mills. According to more than one survey, however, there is another source that contributes even more to the pet overpopulation problem.

Animal welfare groups depend on the goodwill and support of the public. Quite often, however, they take an adversarial attitude toward the public and end up alienating the very people whose help they need to achieve their goals.

Animal rescue and advocacy organizations around the world engage in many forms of humane education, with remarkable results. Yet, in spite of these efforts, cruelty and neglect still persist.

While cruelty to animals often leads to violence toward humans, compassion toward animals can transfer to human relationships, as well. This is the goal of humane education.

Twenty years ago, there were no shelters for battered women; today, there are over 2,000 programs to assist victims of domestic violence. But what happens to the pets in these families?

In one seven-month period, four separate acts of violence in schools left 12 people dead and 44 wounded. What did the young men who committed these terrible acts have in common?

How often do we make judgments about people based on their outward appearance? Fortunately, animals are not so easily fooled. Read about a man who, though rough in appearance, was loved by the hundreds of dogs he saved.

Most people associated with an animal-related organization have the same dream - that every puppy or kitten born would have a permanent, loving home waiting for it. Their methods of achieving this dream, or even their beliefs as to whether it CAN be achieved, are sometimes radically different, though.