Jason Swanson asked:


Dog shelters or Dog pounds are governmental or private shelter houses for stray or abandoned dogs and provide shelter to these animals until they find foster-homes, are claimed by previous owners or placed in other similar institutions. Dog shelters are the best possible sources of pet dogs for low-income families. 

Some of these shelters are the so-called kill shelters, which mean that if a dog has health or temperamental problems that are no longer manageable within the available resources, then it will be euthanized or “killed kindly”. At times even healthy dogs need to be euthanized due to lack of space or funding. 

Some shelters, usually in the private sector choose to be No-kill shelters. These provide support to healthy and adoptable dogs for the rest of their lives or until they find other owners. However the drawback is that many animals are not accepted in these shelters due to lack of funds or space limitations.  A few of the private dog shelters provide low-cost spaying and neutering before the dogs are placed. Often initial veterinary care and vaccination (except rabies) are also provided to these animals. 

Many aspiring dog-owners prefer pet shops to obtain their pets. However many of these dogs end up in dog shelters or are simply left out on the streets. Animal welfare organizations are now working to create awareness among the general public about the large number of adoptable dogs available in various dog shelters and the often-poor condition of dogs in the pet shops.  Once you do decide to adopt a dog from a dog shelter, the best would be to search for such organizations in your area in your local yellow papers. You may also search on the Internet for “dog shelters” or “animal shelters” with the name of your city.  After you find such a facility, you should visit it a few times and observe the staff interacting with the dogs while they go about their chores of cleaning the runs and feeding the animals. Note the behavior of the staff towards the dogs, and vice versa. It will help you in deciding if you want to adopt a dog from this particular facility or not. 

Many of these dogs might already be home trained. However no history is usually available on stray dogs. But if you research well you are very likely to find a dog that is most appropriate for your particular economic and domestic situation. And most importantly you just might have saved an animal from being euthanized or having to live in a shelter house all his life.  So if you are a dog-lover on the lookout for a worthy canine companion, the nearest dog shelter is the place to go shopping.



Conchita

Kadence Buchanan asked:


Dog adoption is made easy through the countless animal welfare organizations and animal shelters existing in every city across the United States. With literally thousands of adoptable dogs listed, a prospective dog owner can select to adopt a dog that needs a wonderful family to go to and be loved. In fact, when you search through these shelters and find a puppy, you are doing a great service to the community and to the local dog rescue or animal shelter that you went for your dog, cat, kitten, or puppy adoption. Thus, you should not hesitate! You should go today to your local area’s shelter facilities and practically support dog and puppy adoption. But before you exit such a life-saving premise, you should first consider some important factors that will shape your decision.

In fact, you are interested in getting a dog from a shelter you can increase your chances of completing a successful adoption if you make some observations and you are not afraid to ask the shelter’s personnel some necessary questions. Begin by visiting the shelter several times and watch the interaction of the staff members with the animals. Pay attention to how they treat, clean and behave to them and if possible keep notes of their attitude towards the dogs in general and the one you are considering of adopting in specific.

A buyer who chooses to adopt a shelter animal instead of buying a puppy should be just as careful in his choice and as selective of a place to adopt as the puppy buyer should be in his choice of a breed and a puppy. This is mainly due to diseases and lack of proper care. Although dogs are vaccinated against common canine diseases when they enter a shelter, they do not always receive immediately the appropriate vaccinations, especially if they have been already exposed to a disease while roaming the streets. In addition, if the shelter keeps each dog in different compartments, but a chain type of fence separates them from each other-meaning that their nose can be in direct contact-then illness are possible to be transferred from one dog to another. Furthermore, if their feces are not picked up regularly and their cells are not cleaned properly, worms and other feces-spread diseases are possible. Thus, ask the shelter’s veterinarian to perform a thorough background physical check on the dog you have set your eyes on and take proof of their vaccination before exiting the shelter or clinic.

Finally, you should be aware that owning a dog is a big responsibility. Apart from their need to be fed regularly depending on their size and breed, dogs have to be taken outdoors, and they often require medical care. Although it is a disaster that many people fail to recognize these and other issues beforehand, you should not decide to adopt a dog based on an impulse. It has to be a well-thought decision that takes under consideration how much time you have available everyday, what is your current lifestyle, and which are your living accommodations. Thinking beforehand where the dog shall live once it enters your house premises is as important as teaching your kids not to be afraid of the hairy new family addition-some children might even get jealous or afraid of a new dog. Plan ahead, research extensively and be well-prepared in order to enjoy for many years to come the amazing company and unique companionship a dog can offer to everyone in your family.



Ashley

Tiffany E. Sutton asked:


This time of year, shelters and foster homes are completely overwhelmed with trying to care for dogs and cats. They literally have no more space! What does this mean? It means that over 800 dogs and cats or puppies and kittens will be euthanized every hour of every day. If you don’t spay and neuter your pets, this is 100% your fault. No bones about it.

People like me who care for ferals, rescue homeless animals that are stranded or even foster animals have lives, careers, families and our own pets. We use our own time and money to help these homeless animals because if we don’t, who will? For every feral cat that is walking around pregnant or every dog that goes into heat, there is an irresponsible human to blame. Not having the money is no excuse. There are spay/neuter clinics in every major city that will sterilize your pet for free. There are low-cost vet clinics everywhere.

For every person that leaves a box of kittens in front of an animal shelter or gives away a litter of puppies in front of Wal-Mart, you are contributing to the problem. If those of us in the animal welfare community could have you sterilized, believe me, we would. As irresponsible breeds irresponsible. Only 1 of every 10 dogs ever finds a loving and permanent home. Only 1 of every 12 cats ever finds a loving and permanent home. There are homeless animals everywhere and this issue is beyond out of control. Many of these animals will literally starve or freeze to death this winter. This is a sad fact that most of society chooses not to know.

If you breed animals and sell them, you are contributing to the death of shelter animals who are waiting to be adopted. So, the best thing people can do is only adopt from shelters (do NOT purchase from breeders) and please spay and neuter your pets. There is no excuse in not doing this, at least none that anyone will find acceptable. Sweet, loving and deserving animals who are waiting to be adopted are euthanized by the thousands. Their only crime was being born. If you will make it your personal policy to be responsible for your pets and educate your own friends and family on this issue, the entire animal population will benefit greatly.

Many members of society burden others because of their own lack of responsibility. No animal or person should have to suffer because of this. It all starts with you. If you are adult enough to pay taxes or buy alcohol, you should be adult enough to spay and neuter your pet.

-TE Sutton



Mackenzie

Samuel Bryant asked:


When identifying a need for a library a person must identify the needs to the organization or community. If, for example, we want to create a special library for a humane society or animal shelter that has a significant presence online then we must identify the needs of the veterinarians, veterinary technicians, gardeners, landscapers, Web development programmers, business development specialists, public relations staff, graphic designers, website managers, media producers, member services staff, marketing staff, adoption coordinators, vegetarian cooks, members, human resources staff, and volunteers. Not only would a library be beneficial for the workers and volunteers, but it would also supply the adopters with information on the care of their new cat or dog. The library would be open to visitors of the shelter and would be an area of attraction for potential adopters.

The needs of each animal can differ quite a bit and experts are rarely supervising, which demonstrates the need for organized and easily accessible information. While the collection of library materials needs to be diverse enough to correspond with the variety of clients, the collection must also be specific and specialized to adhere to the veterinarian-centered focus of the organization. The American Booksellers Association and BookWire, which gives access to thousands of book stores, will help with the selection of books. Another prime location for discovering appropriate books is on ALA’s Booklist site online. To get the library started with the initial round of serials I looked at veterinary libraries around the United States to get an idea of what they are using.

EBSCOhost is of great interest because it contains 83 veterinarian-related journals and provides a very broad spectrum of other topics that may fall under some of the other topic categories performed at Best Friends. There are another 171 veterinarian-related journals that are not represented on EBSCOhost but will be considered for subscription in addition to EBSCOhost. The library should subscribe to PubMed because of its subcategory of veterinary medicine. Some other databases of particular interest are BIOSIS Previews, ConsumerLab, Current Contents Connect, European Veterinary Information, Network of Animal Health (Noah), Veterinary Information Network (VIN), CAB Abstracts, Vet College Literature Database, WildPRO, AGRICOLA, Animal Health and Production Compendium, Biological Abstracts, BioOne Abstracts and Index Database (BAID), Wildlife Worldwide, and Zoological Record.

There should be three main sections of the library—the non-circulating reference section where the computer terminals and printer will be located; the reading room where all the extra categories of text will be placed such as business development, Web development, public relations, media production, and vegetarian cooking. The third section of the library will be the biggest and will contain all the books, tapes, and periodicals on topics related to human-animal interactions and the well-being of all animal species including a heavy emphasis on veterinary medicine. Other topics in this section will include animal facilitated therapy, animal rights, cultural attitudes, ethics, farm animal welfare, pet loss, zoo/captive animal welfare, etc.

There should be at least two computers dedicated to searching the catalog and accessing e-books, and e-journals. There should be at least three more computers that will provide access to the catalog, but will also provide access to the internet. In order to provide these services the library will need staff. In order to provide effective services the library will need more than a couple of staff members. In my estimation of the library facilities and services there should be five—three professional and two paraprofessional librarians.

To accommodate the collection and staff, the library needs to be housed in a location with at least 1,500 square feet of space. The implementation of a staffed library will be the tool the organization needs in order to improve upon the effective treatment and housing of animals, and the efficiency with which this task is performed.

Please visit www.fallingfountain.com, www.allstargifts.com, and www.sport-motors.com



Chase

MIKE SELVON asked:


Being a pet owner is a wonderful opportunity to find unrequited love. There is just something about owning a pet that can bring out the best, or worst, in people. An animal is a huge responsibility and it is up to the pet owner to ensure that their animal is receiving quality medical care, food, water and attention. When these situations are not being met then animal cruelty is the result.

It is a sad state of affairs when animals are not receiving the help and care that they so desperately need. There are many animals that need love and attention that are simply not receiving it.

It is our job as the owners to see to it that animals are not abused and left neglected or roaming around on the streets as stray animals. This article will cover the basics of animal cruelty and hopefully by the end you will be doing your part to stop this travesty.

What are some of the laws that govern animal cruelty?

There are many laws that govern people who own animals as pets or livestock. The law ensures that people must take responsibility for owning an animal. The animal should receive proper nutrition, water, and medical care when necessary.

Should these laws be broken then the proper animal protection agencies of that area can step in and levy fines, arrest and take the animals away from the owners. There have been cases where offenders have spent prison time and faced stiff penalties and national censure such as in the cases involving dog fighting.

Is having too many animals considered animal cruelty?

There is such a thing as having too many animals. It can come in the form of hoarders or breeders. It all depends on whether or not the animals are being cared for properly. Hoarders do not realize that they are harming their pets.

They mistakenly believe that they are the only ones capable of caring for their animals. Having too many animals in many cities is against the law because having too many may limit the ability to care for the animals in the proper way.

Breeders will often house several animals so that they can make money on the puppies. The animals are kept in cages that often damage the soles of their feet in such a way as it makes it impossible for them to walk properly.

They are often not cared for nor provided with the proper medical attention. The goal of some breeders, not every breeder, is just to make money. There are some breeders who actually love and care for their animals properly.

How do animal cruelty laws affect breeders?

In the case of bad breeders the proper animal protection agencies will come in and seize all of the animals. They fine the breeder for having a) too many animals to be able to care for properly and b) not taking proper care of the animals.

Some cities limit the amount of pets that any one owner can possess in a household. This applies to breeders as well. The breeder can be fined and face possible prison sentences if they break these laws.

In the case of bad breeders, what happens to the animals?

In the case of bad breeders who are improperly caring for their animals the animal welfare unit will seize all of the animals. The animals are then placed in foster homes, put up for adoption or will be euthanized if they are in too bad of shape. It is a sad condition that any animal should have to be put down just because someone did not care for the animal properly.



Benjamin

Christine Layug asked:


As pet owners, we have the responsibility in taking care of our pets. As responsible owners, we must protect our pets from any harm if possible. If they get sick, we have the responsibility to take them to a veterinary clinic. But sadly, not all of us are as responsible enough to take care of their pets.

There are still some cases of animal abuse, mistreatment and abandonment happening around us, which is why animal charities has been founded to protect animals from any harm from humans, especially in America.

There are a lot of animal charities of America, but among the best animal charities of America are the ASPCA, ALDF, API, Anti-Cruelty Society and the HSUS.

The ASPCA or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a part of the best animal charities of America which dedicated to preventing the abuse of animals. It was founded by Henry Bergh on April 10, 1866, in New York City. It is the oldest animal rights/welfare organization in the United States. Their mission is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”

The ALDF or the Animal Legal Defense Fund is one of the best animal charities of America which is focused mainly on protecting and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system. Founded in 1979 by attorney Joyce Tischler, it now has over 100,000 members and supporters, with offices in San Francisco, Omaha, Nebraska, and Portland, Oregon.

The API or the Animal Protection Institute, one of the best animal charities of America, which supports the protection of animals from cruelty and exploitation. API’s slogan is “Saving Animals Is Our Reason for Being”.

The Anti-Cruelty Society is also one of the best animal charities of America which deals with the prevention of cruelty to animals and to advance humane education.

The HSUS or the Humane Society of the United States which are the largest animal charities of America that provides many forms of assistance to local animal shelters, operates a number of direct animal care programs, and is a leader in promoting best practices for local animal shelters throughout the country. So whenever you notice any abuse or abandoned pets around your neighborhood, just report this on the nearest animal charities around.



Gabriel

Joshua Simms asked:


Laws not only apply to human beings, there are also laws binding to animals. We have the animal welfare law as represented by PAWS and PETA. There’s also the law regarding exotic pets.

However, there is a variety from city-to-city. A law in one city may not apply to another state. If you own an exotic pet, check first with your nearest locality about the restrictions in owning them.

There are restrictions in exotic pet laws because the animal must be protected even more when they are separated from their natural habitat. Also, there is a possibility that the owner who adopts the exotic creature may not be able to provide the right home, diet and care to the owner.

Another reason is that since these animals can be sold to the state’s zoo - capturing and smuggling of exotic creatures are rampant in an area where there is an exotic creature. It’s also better to think of your neighbors. There’s no knowing what could happen if you have a wild animal in your backyard. What if it escapes? If it does, it could create great alarm to the public.

For example, look at these previous studies: - In Arizona, there is a dealer who was able to sell tigers from a minimum $900 to a maximum $7000. The price depends on the color of the tiger, as well as the gender. A young chimp has the going rate of $50,000.

- The most frequently kept wild creature in the US is the tiger. About 10% of 5,000 to 7,000 tigers are kepts in tiger sanctuaries and zoos. Some of them live in traveling shows with the troupe, circuses and big cat rescues for entertainment. Some people even tame them and make them their pets so they stay in their owners’ backyard.

- Tigers actually kill people and nine people have died in the last nine years. Every year, studies show that almost a 100,000 people are in danger of contacting the salmonella infection which comes from reptiles. The US Food and Drug Administration didn’t allow the sales and import of turtles smaller than 4 inches.

Studies also show that the businesses of wild and exotic animals that are eventually tamed are estimated to be worth $15 billion each year. Wild animal trade is worth billions of dollars. One fourth of wild animal trade is illegal. This is the poaching of elephants and tigers. It’s disturbing to find out that the second moneymaker on the black market, a close second after trading drugs and weapons, is the illegal trade of exotic animals.

That is why the legislatures not only considers safety of human beings, they also find the time to create laws to protect exotic animals. As mentioned earlier, animals, be it the tamed or the wild, deserve to have rights, just like us humans.



Gianna

Tiffany E. Sutton asked:


So often, people will make fun of or want to challenge people on their beliefs because they are different. Whether someone is of another race, whether they are gay, or they don’t eat meat…They are ALL a minority in one way or another…In that society does not cater to them and their lifestyle. People that CARE are of the minority. Most of society simply does NOT care, they are so desensitized. The next time you want to call someone weak or outrageous because they don’t eat meat or because they work tirelessly to help animals, I want to give you something to think about… It takes a very strong person to get up everyday and deal with what we have to deal with and see what we have to see.

We turn on our tv or walk out the front door and get offended. The world does not cater to our feelings in the least. So, we have to look past their ignorance and proceed forward for the sake of the animals. If we don’t, who will? Those of us not eating meat are the ones helping the environment when you won’t.

We see dogs and cats that have been abused and neglected and have to try to help these animals, all while balancing our own lives and families. Many of us wear three hats everyday…One for our own personal lives, one for work purposes and the other for what we do for animals. Often times, we have to wear all three of these hats at the same time.

When you don’t spay and neuter your pets, we are the ones trying to find homes for the litters that you dumped off on someone’s doorstep. When you kick the crap out of your dog, we are the ones that have to try to get that poor animal to trust humans again. While you are sitting on your butt watching the football game, we are on the side of a freeway in 30 degree weather trying to rescue a terrified kitten. When you are gulping down your steak without even taking the time to breathe, each of us are saving the lives of 100+ animals per year by living cruelty-free. We do this because our beliefs and our morals won’t allow for us to live any other way. This is OUR religion. Just like you have your religion. While you are looking at what is on your plate, we know the horror and the reality of HOW it got there. We know that whoever they were, they had a family and went kicking and screaming into the slaughterhouse, where they died a painful death in a pool of their own blood. We have the ability to realize that our actions NOW will impact everything in the future…Even when most of society doesn’t have sense enough to realize this for themselves.

It takes a VERY strong person to psych themselves up enough to get up each morning and face the day, when they know they are going to see more abuse and neglect and that the whole world is undermining damn near everything they work so hard for…Then, in the midst of all that, they have to try to work, smile, cook dinner, and function just like everyone else. You want to talk about strength? So, before you want to categorize someone as weak for not eating meat or for caring, it’s highly likely that that person is one of the strongest and most dedicated people you’ll ever have the privilege of meeting. Unless you are part of the animal welfare community, you have no clue just how MUCH strength it takes to keep going, to keep trying and keep being kind towards other people, even when they show you nothing but ignorance.

We are ALL a part of some kind of minority in one way or another. No matter who you are and no matter how much good you are doing, there will always be someone who will want to challenge or criticize it. I don’t believe any of us are perfect citizens. But, I know that those of us who work so hard for the sake of animals deserve some respect.

When you are judging people who are trying to do some good in this world, you are actually showing you are the weakest one of all. While you may not love animals or don’t see anything wrong with eating them, I do. And, I won’t back down from that. You may not agree with me, but I my hope is that you will at least appreciate my efforts and show me the respect that I show you. Show the animals of this world some kindness and respect. In the great big scheme of things, that is not a lot to ask. -TE Sutton



Carmita

Amit Mehta asked:


Animal abuse or animal cruelty refers to ill treatment or substandard care that result in needless harm, distress, or suffering. Standards of animal abuse laws, implementation, and tolerance vary across the US. So conditions that constitute abuse are decided on a case-to-case basis.

For example, at least five issues have caused divided opinions among the American public.

1. Fur Farming

2. Factory Farming

3. Animal testing of cosmetic products

4. Medical research using animal subjects

5. Using animals (especially wild animals) in a rodeo or circus

Practices that are considered cruel in other countries, which are tolerated in the US, include tail docking, ear cropping, and the Geier Hitch (using a rope through a nose ring to herd livestock).

Welfare Vs. Rights

Perhaps one reason for the divided opinion of the American public over issues of what constitutes cruelty is the fact that two active animal advocacy movements have responded differently to the question.

Animal welfare advocates say that using animals for human gain may sometimes be justified. But they aim to work at both improving treatment and ending unwarranted suffering.

On the other hand, animal rights advocates believe that an animal has rights just like a human being. That is, each animal has a right NOT to be used for human gain. They work at stopping humans from handling animals like commodities.

Psychological Implications

As mentioned, animal abuse has far-reaching implications on the state of mind of the abuser. The FBI, for one, states that a history of animal abuse is a recurring trait in profiles of murderers and serial rapists.

Furthermore, studies have shown that children who are animal abusers are often victims of abuse themselves or have, at least, seen abuse committed against a member of their family.

The US Humane Society released findings from two studies to this effect: Around a third of families experiencing domestic violence had one child at least who’d hurt/killed a pet.

How Cruelty Is Dealt With in the US

Anyone involved in animal care and training in the US should check out the cornerstone legislation, Cruelty to Animals Act. The law focuses on minimum (rather than optimum) care requirements, such as:

1. Food, water, and shelter

2. Medical care

3. Outlawing torture or inhumane killing

Animal advocacy groups and pet lovers decry the law’s ineffectiveness or silence on practices at circuses and rodeos and the treatment of animals considered pests. Moreover, that enforcement across the US is lamentably inconsistent.

But some states take animal abuse more seriously than others. In New York, for instance, humane society representatives are appointed by the state to enforce laws against animal cruelty. Another state with a similar policy is Massachusetts.

The US is also home to two of the most active animal advocacy groups in the world:

- The Humane Society of the United States

- Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

As penalties for animal abuse are minor, the best thing animal lovers can hope for is that once cases of cruelty are exposed the abuse will end.



Michelle