Going to the shelter and I'm worried...?

Question

I'm bringing some donations over to our local shelter tomorrow morning.

I currently have 2 dogs and 2 cats. My landlord didn't want me to have any pets, but I bribed him for one dog, made up a sap story about the other dog and never mentioned the cats (which he has now seen numerous times, knows they're mine and just rolls his eyes at me).

There is no way I can get another pet. Not a dog anyway.

Here's my dilema...I am fully incapable of walking into a shelter and NOT visiting the dogs. Once I'm in there I am also incapable of NOT adopting one. (The last time I went "just to look" I came home with 2 dogs).

Does anyone have any tips on how to make it through without completely breaking down? I have NO will power.

This may sound like a stupid question, but it's a huge problem for me.

I don't want anyone else bringing my donations, this is something I want to do myself. Helpful tips on how to get through without breaking down?

I have about 50 blankets, sheets and towels. My entire trunk is jam-packed full of them. Not really something to leave outside the door. Good thought though.

Monika, I thought I pretty well explained that self control goes right out the window when it comes to shelter animals.
I'm a very strong person, but animals can melt me in a second...

Forgot to mention that our shelter is NO-KILL.

You all have such wonderful ideas. I haven't volunteered since I was a teenager. I stopped because I moved out on my own and had no parents to tell me I couldn't get more pets. I've only been there twice in the last 15 years yet I drive past it almost every day. I don't know how to explain it, it's like I can't even look at the place. I feel guilty about not volunteering, but even more emotional when I see the animals. Maybe I should start volunteering again? This subject is so very difficult for me. I'm not sure my husband would allow me to volunteer...he made me promise I wouldn't adopt anything tomorrow.

GitEmGang, that's a perfect analogy.

Answer 1

Im so sorry KJ - I can't help you. I have been forbidden to go to any shelter. I am allowed to request any dogs but they have to transport to me. Otherwise like you Ill take them all. I will grab and grab and double crate dogs in the basement and completely destroy my life my own dogs lives and my kids to deal with dogs that aren't going to be living much better at my house but I know they have a chance and I will not kill them.

I have a hard time with strays and owner give ups that I destroy myself over. I took a fifth foster in the other night with 2 fosters that don't even want other dogs around and have decided to deal with my dogs.

The best advice I can give you is to donate to a no kill shelter. Kill shelters get government funds to help with their needs. Then when you go to donate you can love and pet them with out feeling guilty when you walk away.

Answer 2

I have the exact same problem. My "I'm only going to look" lead to me fostering then keeping the last kitten I got.

I found that in this case, I have GOT to let my head lead my heart. I have to. I know that I can't afford another one, no matter what I think or say I can do, I know I can't afford to give another kitty the medical attention I know that they would need. And, my husband would leave me (sometimes that's not a negative, lol).

Maybe what you could do is, when the shelter is open for taking donations, go there and have someone from the shelter actually come and help you bring the stuff in. You yourself might not go into the building, but this way, you're not just leaving it there. You'll be bringing it yourself, yet not actually entering the building?

Or you can just figure that if you bring another animal into your place, you and your animals might end up homeless. Know that even if you don't take them and give them a fabulous home, someone else will.

Those are just my ideas. It's kind of worked for me....hope it helps for you.

Good luck....

Answer 3

I think the best way to look at this dilemma is to think of your other animals. Are you sure that if you were to adopt another animal, especially a dog, that your landlord wouldn't throw you out, thereby leaving you and all your current animals, plus the newly adopted one, out on the street. If you were to lose your home, is there a safe place where you and your pets could live together? When I was renting, that was the one thing that helped me to keep myself from adopting more pets than what I already had. I knew if I were to push the issue, my landlord would get really mad and evict me, along with my animals. It's difficult enough to find a decent place to live for one person, let alone someone with several animals, especially dogs. There aren't a whole lot of animal friendly landlords out there, so to find one that would allow you to rent with all the animals you have now would be extremely difficult. I know it's never easy to leave the shelter knowing all those dogs and cats, etc. have no home and no one to love them...but just remember, the volunteers are there to love them and help them, and find them terrific homes.

Kudos for caring and for actually doing something about it. We need more people to be like that!

Answer 4

Oh I surely know that feeling, I have been there myself. I have had that same problem for years, I now have just finally learned to say no. I have had as many as 2 dogs, 6 cats and 3 birds all at once. The only advice I can give you, is remember all of the animals that you have at home and think of this, sometimes if we bring another pet into our home, it upsets the balance of those who are already there and also remember your landlord probably will not be happy with you if you bring another pet home and you don't want to end up apartment hunting either. Good Luck hope this helped.

Answer 5

Why don't you become a volunteer at the shelter - That way you can go several times a week, play with the dogs, give them love and attention and not feel as compelled to bring more home.

Look at it this way; if you bring home another pet, you are limiting yourself to giving love to only the ones in your home - If you go volunteer at the shelter, you can give love to 100's of dogs a year!

Answer 6

Just try really hard to tell yourself that no matter how much you love all the beautiful dog faces you see, many other people who visit that shelter are going to be a great match for the dog and will adopt if you don't.

Also keep in mind that in an animal shelter, the animals come first. They are well-cared for, extremely loved, and their stay at the shelter is made as comfortable as possible by the staff, volunteers, and WONDERFUL individuals like you who make donations.

EDIT: Please consider the following cons to mailing/leaving at the door: Shelter employees are VERY GRATEFUL for people like you who make donations. It would bring a smile to both your and their faces to deliver the donations in person.

Answer 7

If you have that much of a problem with it, then call ahead and ask if one or two of the employee's could meet you outside too collect the donations you have too give them. Should not be a problem for them! That way you don't have too step a foot inside the front door. That should be a big help. If it is still a problem for you try asking someone to along with you to help keep you STRONG. Hope this helps you. I totally understand how very hard it is. I have two cat myself and am not able to take on anymore. Although I really would love two, but I haven't got the space or the time two give them. It really isn't fair too the animal if you haven't got the time or space for them. Any way hope this helps answer your question. Hope it helps you! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

I have the same problem. Just think of how much time you had for your dog when it was the only one, then how much attention it gets now you have two. Now imagine how much attention they would each get with a new, needier dog in the household.

Also, realise you cannot save every needy dog. You're better off treating those you have as best you can, and it is much harder to do this with multiple dogs than one. Unfortunately there are dogs a lot worse off than those in shelters; those that are suffering and have yet to be rescued, or never will be.

Answer 9

You have to realize: YOU can NOT save every pet in the world. Remind yourself you have just enough time, money & space to give a good life to the ones you have now - no more. By donating to the shelter, you are already going the extra mile. I know it is hard, we all wish there were enough homes for them all - especially this time of year. But keep doing your best for the ones you have, they need you as much as you need them. By bringing home too many, no one will be happy - just crowded & stressed.

Answer 10

Seriously, if it's a monetary donation, mail it. If it's food and supplies then leave it at the front door and call the employees to let them know it's there. I am totally the same way. I had to go to the pound to order an urn for my dog and very nearly walked out the door with a dog. The only thing that saved me was the fact that I just put my dog to sleep a few days before and wasn't ready for an attachment.