I love dogs, and sometimes I visit animal shelters just to play with the dogs and give them some comfort. It breaks my heart that so many dogs are killed every year because no body wants them. How can us dog lovers help them??? How can we educate people about the problem??? I have two dogs of my own, both from shelters - and I just wish i could do more. And if this bothers you - what do you do? How do you convince people to spay/neuter their dogs without offending them???
2006-08-30 15:00:10 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I started my own rescue :) I couldnt sleep at night knowing so many were dying and I could stop some of it by simply getting them from the pounds, vetting them and finding them great homes. I have saved over 1200 dogs to date and still counting. If you aren't in a position to start a rescue, you can foster for other rescues or shelters. If you can't foster, you can volunteer to help at adoption events, fundraisers,etc. Just telling people about the many dogs dying in shelters gets teh word out. Tell people about the health benefits of spaying/neutering their pets. SOmetimes this approach works better than a lecture. You are appealing to their love of their pet and wanting to see it healthy. YOu can also show people websites (www.petfinder.com) that list shelters and rescues all over the US and all of the animals dying in shelters everyday :( 25% of shelter dogs are purebred....Thank you for wanting to do something; that is THE biggest thing...recognizing there IS a problem and WANTING to do something about it! You're off to a great start and if you are interested in getting involved with a rescue group near you, email me and I'll help you find contacts!
2006-08-30 20:14:29 · answer #1 · answered by dusty_roade 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I really feel that folks really need to be educated on what is in front of them when they adopt a pet whether from a shelter or a breeder. Once the puppy-cute phase is past them and they tire of poor behavior, a lot of animals end up at the shelter. There are cases of overpopulation due to not spaying and neutering, however, this is not the main cause of full shelters. Behavioral problems are one of the main causes for Fido to go to the shelter.
We have five dogs and all have been through obedience training and are well behaved for the most part. But they need to be played with, exercised and cuddled and be well taken care of both nutritionally and medically through annual checkups, vaccinations and grooming.
A Big Pet Lover in California,
Tarigirl
2006-08-30 15:15:04 · answer #2 · answered by tarigirl_2000 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A man from my local town deals with this in a great way. He volunteers at the local shelter to walk/run a dog every evening. He had a shirt made for him that says "This dog desperately needs a loving family today." He takes the dog to a busy park, by the schools, wherever there is something going on. He has managed to make a lot of families and dogs happy! (Including two for his own home!)
On top of finding families for the dogs, he also holds training sessions for the new owners (for free).
In my experience, it's hard to convince anybody to do anything with their dogs. Most people don't want to spend the money, and those are the people who shouldn't have dogs in the first place.
You sound very concerned, I'm sure you'll find a way to help!
Good Luck,
AJ
2006-08-31 12:10:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too am a dog lover and I find that the best way to help is to get involved with a shelter. I am on a board of directors, I volunteer for events and working with the animals. I always try to make people around me aware of the benefits of finding a pet at shelters. I do dog shows I show purebreds but always say that people should adopt from shelters. When I talk about spay and neuter I emphasize health benefits for their pets. I always tell people that a pet is a member of the family.
2006-08-30 15:16:37 · answer #4 · answered by pemtrek 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Education is the answer but being afraid of offending should not be in your thought process!!!!!!! I too hate the poor creatures that are destroyed because of human carelessness.I have a male dog who is not neutered but i have a dog door that opens to a locked fence and he has a huge yard and its his domain. He does not run loose and has his shots and regular care and visits to the vet. Other animals ive had were spayed and neutered. especially when i lived in the city and large towns. Now in a suburban setting and he has had this arrangement since he was a puppy. He is a happy dog and very old.
2006-08-30 15:09:40 · answer #5 · answered by soeur_deux_de_ny2005 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hear ya!! I use to work at a shelter. And they were very strict on who adopted dogs & cats. If I saw people that looked like they can take care of an animal, I would tell them what and what NOT to put on the application. Another thing I would do is secretly take pictures of all the dogs/cats and go to a local pet store to look for people about to buy a pet...and then show them the pictures, then tell them how much money they can save...also let them know they can save a life.
2006-08-30 15:15:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mmm... why don't you start a campaing? When you go to play with them, take their pictures so people can actually see them. It's easier to ignore a problem if you don't see it for real. You can upload them on a website targeted to people who want to adopt a dog, also you can talk about the problem there and have articles interviewing vets.
Talk with those who might try to get a dog but won't go to buy them, like old or single people too.
Organise, along with the shelter workers, some sort of activities for people can actually have fun and get the chance to meet the dogs.
Dunno, only few ideas that I think I'd use if I were you...
2006-08-30 15:14:47 · answer #7 · answered by GN 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Work with your local animal shelter to start a fundraiser to help people pay for spaying/neutering their pets. There are far too many animals to save right now, but by preventing "Accidental litters" you can give more animals a chance at a good home, and prevent future suffering of animals.
2006-08-30 15:14:47 · answer #8 · answered by Jennifer F 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's a lot you can do: Raise money, write an article for a paper to raise awareness, foster dogs or cats, volunteer at the shelter, hold a seminar to explain the importance of spaying and neutering your animal.
2006-08-30 15:14:02 · answer #9 · answered by Rye26978 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What can you do? To stop people such as beverly68_86 to ever owning a dog! for more go http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmStOg1ux.HEaHHYKUAPiHrsy6IX?qid=20060830182740AAPrGB9 and see this disguesting question that she writes!
I would go and volunteer at a shelter... spend your time learning... once you gain your knowledge what you can do is use it and explain to the public how breeding of dogs are becoming a serious problem... as most shelter dogs ends up being put down because nobody wants them.
2006-08-30 15:28:21 · answer #10 · answered by Brittany 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋