Adopting your pet
means saving a life.
Adopting a pet from a local shelter is an excellent
venue for parents to consider when looking to add a
pet to their family.
To begin with, animals lose their homes every day for many reasons.
Some become lost, some are deserted, and left at shelters because their
owners must move or a new baby has arrived. Even the weather can be
a reason pets lose their homes. During Hurricane Katrina, many people
had to evacuate, but they were not allowed to take their pets with them.
Many of these animals died or became street dogs that roamed in packs
because they had no one to take care of them. Thankfully, many of these
dogs were rescued by people and brought to shelters around the nation.
Think about how many dogs, cats, and other animals flooded the shelters
at this time. Adopting from the shelter would give one of these animals
a new home.
Whether there is a natural disaster or not, animal shelters are usually
severely overcrowded so animals have to be put to sleep. There are
simply too many animals than there are slots at the shelters. According
to Michele Smith at the Bergen County Animal Shelter, a dog or cat that
enters the shelter is put on “hold” for seven days to give the owner a
chance to locate their pet. “Many good animals never get that second
chance they so deserve,” Ms. Smith affirmed. If the owner doesn’t claim
the animal in seven days, the animal has 23 days to get adopted before it
is killed. Only 44% of dogs and 29% of cats brought into shelters are
adopted.” That’s a pretty small percentage, isn’t it?
Furthermore, many breeders and operators of puppy farms are
irresponsible. Their focus is on mass production of puppies and the
amount of money the breeder will make. Many puppies die because the
conditions at these places are less than adequate. They are
overcrowded, lack of food and water, and inadequate shelter for the
animals. The Animal Task Force continually receives calls from concerned
citizens who report improper care for animals at these irresponsible
negligent breeding operations.
To sum up, whenever a family is thinking about welcoming an animal
into their life, adopting from a local animal shelter is a source to consider.
These animals are in need of a loving home. If not adopted, many of
them will be put to sleep. As mentioned, puppy farms and breeders are
irresponsible and could care less whether there are proper homes for
these pets. So please consider the animal shelter. You will not only make
your child happy, but you will be saving an animal. Could life get any
better?
A Pathway to Hope is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation
and adoption of abandoned dogs and cats.
www.apathwaytohope.org
How can you help?
Local Animal Rescue Teams
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A Pathway to Hope
B.A.R.K
Purrs & Paws
Petfinder
Animal Services
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ASPCA
NJSPCA
Resources
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Understaff and Overcrowded
7 Years After Katrina
Pet and Kids