If I could, I would take home every animal (even the shady lookin' ones) from the pro-kill shelters and give them a home. I sometimes cruise the shelter websites to see what poor little creatures are residing there, most of them on borrowed time. It saddens me that there are so many good quality pets out there who get put down simply because the shelter doesn't have the time or resources to take care of them - and because someone never came in and fell in love with them.
It makes me delirious with anger when I read postings on CraigsList for pets. No more time. Allergies (one of my faves - don't you think you should have figured that out first!). New baby coming and won't have time - what, you think that with a baby you can't possibly multi-task. Looks at me funny. Doesn't seem to like me. Most of the reasons seem pretty piss poor to me. It's all about irresponsible pet owners who are to freakin' lazy or stupid, or maybe both. Granted, there are plenty of people out there who are sincerely doing what is best for the animal, but the majority of people just seem to be devoid of common sense.
I'm not sure what has ramped up my animal issues today. I suppose it may be because I would love to rescue a beautiful retriever mix from the shelter and am having a hard time deciding if it would be the right thing to do. Do we really need another pet - no, not really. But then I think about her withering away in the cage at the shelter. Scared. Alone. Sad. And then I think of her being led into some doggie death chamber and it makes me ill.
Our sweet little Maggie cat would have met with the same fate had we not brought her home. And everyone agrees that she is a wonderful kitty and it would have been a crime to see her put down.
I mean come on, who could have possible put this kitty into perma-sleep?
I know that shelters do their best with what they are given and I feel that they get the shaft a lot. If people were responsible pet owners, we may not need shelters but it's a fact of life and they aren't going away any time soon.
I pray that people will adopt from shelters. NO MORE PET STORE ANIMALS!!!!!!!!! My very first dog was from a pet store - I was young and just plum stupid - I knew nothing of shelters and hadn't developed my fierce love of furry friends just yet. I have learned my lesson. I hope others learn too.
