Jean Strein
Adoption Counselor & Volunteer
Canine Shelter Rescue
Belvedere, SC
While visiting a shelter, I witnessed a most horrific incident. A pickup truck drove up with a huge, soft beige Labrador standing in the truck bed. With his tail wagging and a panting smile on his face, the dog watched the young man go inside the office. The next thing I saw was this same young man driving this same pickup truck into the driveway marked “Intake.” That big, lovely dog was being dropped off! I could not believe it. It took 3 grown male staff workers to get the dog into the cell. Then I saw his eyes. The once soft, round, smiling eyes were now wide with fear and disbelief. I felt my heart was about to burst. How in the world could that young man do this? Judging by the happy appearance of the lab, the dog had enjoyed rides in this truck many times before today. How did he know that this ride would be his last in this truck with this young man? What did he think when he was dragged into the shelter by strangers? How did he feel when he heard the truck drive off without him? The howls of that dog haunted me for days.
In another shelter several months later, two miniature poodles were surrendered by their owner. These two litter mates had been raised by this couple in the same home since puppy hood. They were now 10 years old. The wife had died and the husband was being “sent” to live with the children, who did not want the dogs. This elderly gentleman had lost his wife, his home, and now his beloved dogs. Instead of their familiar bed, toys, and human companions; these dogs were now in a shelter cell with concrete floors and wire walls amid the howling and barking of the other dogs.
A tired young mother called a rescue volunteer with a special request for a special dog for a very special little girl. This little girl, with a severe birth defect and a short life prognosis, was often isolated by her disabilities from anyone other than her mother. The one other source that seemed to stimulate this little girl was a black cocker spaniel which belonged to a neighbor. Unfortunately, the cocker did not understand the child’s strange noises and movements and would recoil in fear. When the mother told the child’s physician about her reaction to the dog, the doctor was quick to recommend getting a dog as a therapy companion. That very same day, one of our volunteers found an adorable little terrier mix in a shelter. The dog, surrendered by her owner, was already house trained, spayed, and up-to-date on all shots. In other words, she was ready to go to a new home. While discussing a possible name for the little black terrier, one volunteer said she was as sweet as a “Baby.” When Baby was suggested as a possibility dog companion for the little special needs child, the mother wept. She said, “The only word my daughter can say is ‘Baby’!” The last picture I saw of this little girl was with her hair tied up holding her “Baby” with her ears tied up. Both had spaghetti sauce on their faces.
In 2004, 76 % of all animals admitted to animal shelters were destroyed. In my hometown, that represents 8,967 dogs and cats killed in one year; more than 700 per month; or 25 every day! As in the examples above, each dog or cat in a shelter represents an opportunity to experience unconditional love. We, as humans, are not capable of giving each other this gift. Every time a cat or dog is euthanized in a shelter, we kill an opportunity to embrace that gift. There is enough unconditional love in one shelter to change the entire world!
I volunteer with a rescue which targets dogs and cats in shelters. We successfully place about 100 pets a month. For every one we take out of the shelter, there are hundreds more that will die that very day in order to make room for yet more dogs and cats incoming! If you are reading this, you most likely love animals and feel just as overwhelmed with the number of homeless animals as we do. How do we raise awareness of others to the cause of homeless animals?
Talk to everyone you can about pets and how special they are. Speak up and out on animal abuse or neglect. Volunteer with a rescue or shelter in your area. No matter what you think you can’t do, you will find that there will be any number of things you can do! Donate to animal groups. Dry and canned food, beds, toys, leashes, food dishes, cat litter, grooming supplies, and money are all needed and welcomed. Last, but certainly not least, be quick to share with other humans what your pets so freely give to you: love, compassion, and tolerance.
To a see of animals that are available for adoption click here
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