We understand that many of you mean well when you show up with dogs that need help. However, the reality is that your actions, although well-intentioned, often make things worse. We are fed up with being bullied and made to feel guilty because we have to say “NO” to the dogs you bring to us.
Our shelter has established systems to ensure the welfare of the rescues we take in. From the isolation process to the introduction process, everything is set in place to make sure the dogs with us are safe, well cared for, and happy. You can’t expect us to throw all that away because you feel bad for the puppy that’s traveled with you and now has no place to go.
You may say you want to adopt the dog later on, but we’ve had many people say this only to back out at the last minute. We are not a halfway house for your future pet. Use a paid pet boarding facility, such as the highly recommended @bowwa_hotelfordogs. Not a shelter.
Shelters like ours have a long list of dogs waiting to find forever homes. You shouldn’t add to that list. When space clears up, we will add to the list ourselves.
A Message to Other Shelters and Animal Welfare Workers
Stop always saying yes. There is no pride in claiming to be the only organization that always helps. Overcrowding is basically hoarding, and animals in such places severely lack quality of life. By filling up your shelters and homes, even up to toilets with animals, you are setting a bad standard for what welfare work should look like. Please stop always saying yes when you should be saying no.
Put them back in their territory after offering medical care. Not all dogs belong in a shelter, and in some cases, please stop refusing to put them down. Euthanasia isn’t always the answer, but we see too often when it should be the answer, and it isn’t because of religious views or people who just don’t have the stomach for it. It isn’t for your conscience; it is for the animals. Animals shouldn’t be forced to live with such a bad quality of life.
If you don’t know what the standards of animal welfare are or what we mean by quality of life, then you shouldn’t be in animal welfare. If you still want to be, take a class on it. @battersea and @spca_international have amazing courses and info for all aspiring AW workers.
By understanding and respecting these guidelines, we can work together to improve the lives of the animals we care for and ensure they have the best possible outcomes. Let’s prioritize their well-being over our emotional responses.
