Why Do Animals Die In Shelters

Animals die in shelters every day. There are approximately 7.5 million animals added to shelters each year and of those, 2.5 million are euthanized. Society needs to be aware that fostering is a vital part of animal rescue. Each time an animal is featured on social media, people respond from all over the country to adopt it. For that one animal, the outlook is fantastic; however, for those left behind the outlook is much bleaker. If all of the potential adopters for that one animal fostered or adopted another, think of the changes we could make! The main reasons fostering is necessary socialization, behavioral issues, sickness, and to prevent overcrowding of shelters. I currently own six dogs. Of those six, five were originally fosters and one was adopted. I have been involved in animal rescue for over ten years and each case has been unique and rewarding in its own way. My focus is Boston terriers, but I will take any animal that needs my help. The animals that I keep are considered “unadoptable” by shelter policy. They have issues
that make them undesirable or unsafe for the general public, such as, fear aggression, separation anxiety, destructive behavior, and sickness. Generally, these animals would be humanely euthanized; however, sometimes the problems can be resolved simply by fostering. Unfortunately, there are not nearly enough homes available at present. Many of the current foster homes have multiple fosters due to the shortage. We need more foster homes to meet the current demand. Socialization of an animal is key in their ability to be adopted. Fearful, anxious, or timid dogs do not fare well in shelters. They are often overlooked because they do not engage with the potential adopter. These are the animals that hide at the back of the cage and have no desire to meet new people. Reasons for this are varied. Some dogs are timid by nature, others have been abused or on the streets for so long that people are considered dangerous. Other times, they have been chained in a yard and have not had enough contact with humans to know whether or not they are safe to be around. They suffer from separation anxiety, aggression, or boredom in homes. Augustus was a stray dog. The experts could not even tell what breed he was due to the hair loss and plaque that covered his skin. After months of antibiotics and rest, the real dog emerged and he was beautiful. This would not have been possible without a foster home. These animals need homes where they can feel safe and learn how to deal with these issues in the proper way. Dogs or cats placed in a foster home learn how to be part of the family. They experience love, often for the first time, and become more assured of their place in society. Depending on the animal, homes with children or other animals are often the best place for them. Shelters are cold and scary places, and these dogs will never heal in that environment. In particular cases, experienced animal handlers are needed to curb violent fear aggression, but for the most part, they just need to be shown love and proper care in order to overcome anxiety. Behavioral issues may include barking, chewing, potty training, food aggression, and getting along with other pets. Often dumped at shelters because people do not have the knowledge on how to correct the problem and instead of seeking help, they just abandon them. For example, a dog named Khaleesi. She was found with her spine and knees shattered from repeated blows of a baseball bat. Her entire upper snout had been cut off to the teeth and she was left with an infection and rotting flesh. Thanks to her rescuers, she is in a wonderful foster home where she has not only learned to trust again, she has learned to walk again. Her snout is being repaired and she is a happy dog. These issues take time and need patience to address and correct properly. Retired, stay at home, or disabled people are the best type of homes for these animals. They benefit from the strong and patient type of family. This group includes the puppy mill survivors, abused, puppies, and lack of training animal. I enjoy this group the most. The response, when it finally happens, is incredible. Most pets are willing and able to learn and do so quickly when given the proper training. Watching a dog or cat that has been abused their entire life flourish is the most rewarding experience in the world. I do recommend that if biting or food aggression is the problem that only experienced people apply. Small children or other animals in the home could be harmed if not properly taken care of. Sickness in also something that happens in shelters. Heartworm, kennel cough, mange, undernourishment, broken bones, lacerations, teeth problems, and a host of other illnesses cannot properly be taken care of in a shelter environment. Elderly dogs have little chance of being adopted because they are considered too expensive to take care of or not as cute as puppies. They are just as deserving of love in their final years as any other pet. I have seen the old dogs taken to the shelter by families that “no longer have time” to deal with them so many times it makes me sick. A dog or cat that gives a family 10-15 years of good times, dumped because they are no longer fun to be around. They may sleep all day or have health issues that are costly so instead of being responsible, people dump them and adopt a shiny new puppy. My first foster puppies came from a hoarding situation. Pathetically skinny and furless, Suzie was in renal failure and Lumpy had a bad heart. I learned how to administer sub-q IV’s to Suzie daily and Lumpy needed medication. During the three years they were with me, they thrived. Shelters cannot give these animals the one-on-one attention they need; there simply isn’t enough time in the day. They need full time care and do best with lower energy families. Overcrowding is a real problem in shelters.
Most shelters are filled to capacity and cannot accept new animals or rotate them quickly. To make room for new intakes, older cases need to be euthanized. Sometimes, this happens in a matter of days. Consider that just one hoarding case can bring in an excess of 50 animals. For smaller shelters, that may be the maximum amount they can hold at one time. While rescues, other shelters, and adopters take in some of these animals, many are left to die. Lana was taken back to the shelter by her new family. She immediately shut down and would not come out of the corner. The humane society determined that she needed to be in a foster home and they were correct. The transformation was instant. She went back to being a sweet and wonderful dog and has since been adopted. Available foster homes could help take in the overpopulation temporarily until new arrangements can be made; thus saving
lives.
I have heard people say they do not foster because they don’t have room or they can’t afford it. Fostering is usually temporary. It can help you decide if you might want another pet or help your own animals socialize. Most rescues and shelters will pay for any medical expenses incurred by the foster animal. Cats are small and usually no problem to foster while dogs can be a bit more challenging but well worth the experience. There are rescues for particular breeds, for example, bulldogs or collies. Fostering can help adults and children learn patience and compassion. I have heard people say that someone else will do it, it is simple, they won’t. There are not nearly enough homes available. Of the homes available, few will take adults and even fewer take the sick or feral. Many shelters and rescues cannot function without foster homes. Foster homes allow the shelters to find the dog’s true personality so they may be placed in the proper homes.
The most important reason to foster is to save a life! Foster homes are needed for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, farm animals and rodents. If you cannot donate money, this is an excellent way to help and the rewards far outweigh the risks. As Tia, from Pit Bull and Parolees, says, “My mission is to rescue: my hope is that one day I won’t have to.”