This is sad. I never understand owner surrenders to the pound. Where I do rescue transports the ACO is supposed to put down owner surrenders that day. (She doesn't if our coordinator can get a rescue to pull it, but she tells the owners that's their fate) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grj75uPUqhQ&feature=share

Thanks for posting Michelle, this is always a sad situation.

that video, to ME, is nothing more or less than a guilt-trip, just like the HSUS ads on tv.

while i have never surrendered a dog to a humane society, etc., i also understand that LIFE HAPPENS. some people think of animals as disposable property, only convenient as long as they're convenient. those people i condemn. i've adopted their (really good) dogs for 30 years and given them a "forever home".

some people have no choice. and that IS sad. so please, don't come on with the "holier than thou" videos. i hate them, i hate that the dogs pay the price.

rant over....

Yes, life does happen, but after rescuing for 40+ years, and working for shelters, it was seldom the weeping family passing their beloved pet to us,more like throw the leash at us "I can't deal with this anymore!" She posted a video that meant something to her. Don't like it, change the channel.

Unfortunately Ann, my personal experience is that "life does happen", is the exception and not the rule to dogs thrown out like yesterdays garbage. And owner surrenders are usually the first to die if the shelter needs room.

I find nothing wrong with videos like this, it may help a dog get adopted.

What I have never understood is WHY the shelters give owner surrenders such little time for a new family to find them. A dog that has lived in a home with a family and given it's love to them deserves more... so much more...

The Malinois that Betty and I tried to save - our beloved Faith- was an owner surrender. Had she been given more time to find a home, she would be a member of my pack right now. But she wasn't given time...

So, with discussion about owner surrenders not being given enough time, what can we do to move towards a no (or even low) kill mentality in our shelters? The management is broken somehow and we need to find a way to network these dogs into rescue. HOW? It's very frustrating to me. we won't change poor owners, so how do we fix the shelters? (may be taking this OT, so mods, plse move if it is too much so)

 Quote: Betty Waldron

dogs thrown out like yesterdays garbage.

How do we change this mentality by the owners?

Edited by Lori Jacobs (09/08/2011 01:17 PM)
Edit reason: reworded

 Quote: Lori Jacobs

 Quote: Betty Waldron

dogs thrown out like yesterdays garbage.

How do we change this mentality by the owners?

I don't think you can. Some reasons stated for surrender include: no time, moving, don't like no more, allergies, dog is too big, and dog won't listen.

Once the puppy grows up and becomes a dog with needs, some people just get rid of them. They know that the dog may never make it out of the shelter alive, but that doesn't matter - it's not their problem anymore once they hand a shelter worker the leash.

In the shelter in Miami that Faith was at, momma dogs and their entire litters are surrendered and PTS. Baby pups with their eyes not even open yet... they get KC too quickly and are only given 24 hours to be adopted. It's heartbreaking if you dwell on it too much.

So why can't all shelters be no-kill? Who's going to fund them? This country has no money to give to schools, a rediculously high unemployment rate, and a government that is too busy fighting amongst themselves to give a crap.

After losing the battle for Faith, I threw myslef headlong into working with the local no-kill shelter. I work with the dogs to make them more adoptable, I foster when I can, I groom shelter dogs for no charge, I work at various fund raising activities, I donate money and toys when I can, and I transport dogs when I am needed.

I am one person. I can't change the system. I can't change POS owners. I do what I can to help save lives.. so that I can sleep at night knowing that maybe, just maybe, I helped another dog avoid Faith's fate.

--Kelly

Faith still haunts me..........

I recently tried to pull a senior owner surrender from a shelter about 3 hours from me.

Rescue or county resident. It took me eight hours find someone to pull her for me and it was too late.

9 years old and she couldn't even have 48 hours.