5 myths about animal shelters

But what does a person think about when he hears or reads about such a shelter in social networks, news feeds? Most people have rows of enclosures in their heads, half-starved and sick animals in cramped cages, endless collections for food and medicine. And someone thinks that all animals feel good in shelters and that everyone can take a found (or bored) cat or dog there. Which of these is true? Let’s take a look at 5 of the most common misconceptions about animal shelters.

• Myth #1. The animals at the shelter are fine.

Shelters are designed primarily for abandoned, street dogs and cats. Their move there can be considered an improvement in living conditions. With a roof over their heads, regular meals, medical care, the life of mongrels becomes many times better and easier. They do not have to survive, fight for their place under the sun. However, life in the orphanage cannot be called heavenly even for a homeless ponytail. Enclosures are often located on the street, live in them for 5-10 dogs. They are forced to endure cold, crowdedness and not always a pleasant neighborhood. Tramps, unfortunately, cannot count on high-quality socialization and upbringing. The number of curators and volunteers in shelters is limited. In order to pay attention to all the wards, to communicate and teach basic commands, there are simply not enough hands.

The most difficult thing is for domestic furry friends of the family. Former owners should not console themselves with the hope that the cat or dog attached to the shelter is in perfect order, that they are taken care of to the fullest. Living conditions in shelters are harsh, food is rationed and rather modest. In addition, communication and human attention to the domestic tail will be sorely lacking here. Dozens, and in some even hundreds of guests, are in shelters at the same time.

It is very difficult for former domestic dogs and cats to come to terms with the loss of family warmth, communication with loved ones. Every owner should remember a simple truth: we are responsible for those we have tamed. If circumstances force you to abandon your pet, you must definitely try to put him in good hands personally, find him a new home and owner. Today, this is not so difficult to do, thanks to social networks. Perhaps somewhere among your hundreds of Instagram followers there is a person who is looking for a furry friend right now.

• Myth #2. Shelters are required to accept animals abandoned by their owners.

Such institutions have every right to refuse to accept a tailed foundling. All of them are designed for a certain number of residents, there is no possibility to increase their number. The shelter should create comfortable living conditions for its wards, provide them with food and medical care. Often there are not enough funds for this, because there are always more incoming dogs and cats than those leaving for a new home.

• Myth number 3. Only sick animals are kept in shelters.

Pedigree and outbred, big and small, fluffy and smooth-haired, sick and healthy. In the shelter you can meet any of the above. They are all different. Everyone is in shelters not of their own free will. Everyone is looking for a new home, they want to get into a loving family. Indeed, there are sick animals in shelters, but they are not the absolute majority. They are provided with medical care, all animals are treated for parasites, sterilized, and receive the necessary vaccinations. Curators monitor the condition of a pet that requires special care. It is to such a person that one can and should ask questions about the physical and psychological state of a particular animal.

• Myth #4 Donations and help do not reach shelters.

The reality is that shelters often ask for help, because keeping a large number of animals requires an impressive amount of money. Almost every such institution has its own website or page in social networks. Reading requests to buy food, medicines or help with all possible money, a person may doubt: will the amount reach the addressee?

Today it is not difficult to check whether you really helped at least one dog with a difficult fate. The shelters value their reputation and post reports of what was bought with charitable contributions. What things, food, toys they received from sympathizers.

You can help the shelter for free by coming for a walk and talking with the caudates, who so lack human communication. If you don’t feel like transferring money, you can buy and bring personally the necessary things, food and toys for fluffy ones, specifying in advance on the website of the institution or with volunteers how it is better to help.

• Myth number 5. Anyone can just come to the shelter and take a pet.

The work of the shelter is aimed at ensuring that its residents find a new comfortable home, loving owners and never again find themselves on the street. Everyone who comes in search of a four-legged animal passes a questionnaire and an interview with the curator. The orphanage needs to make sure that this person’s intentions are pure.

The websites of shelters often do not even indicate his exact address, so that unscrupulous people could not get there. For example, to throw animals. Unfortunately, this is a common story when a box with kittens or a tied dog was left at the door of the shelter. But for people who sincerely want to find a new friend, the doors of the shelter are open. You just need to contact the institution in advance. There is a timetable for visiting.

Animal shelters can raise a lot of questions. To understand what is true here and what is a myth, it is better to visit the shelter in person at least once. After all, it is better to see with your own eyes once than to read about shelters on the Internet 10 times. Choose the shelter closest to you, arrange a visit in advance. Take along a small tasty present for your four-legged friend. Such a trip will not only answer your questions, but also broaden your general horizons. Have a nice trip!