Someday the Lurkins will stop getting just cats and maybe this will be a breed we'll look into.
Posted on 08/03/2008 1:21:12 PM PDT by BenLurkin
VAN NUYS (CBS) ― As much as I hate hospitals (and let me be clear, I find the combination of suffering and germs truly unbearable), there are few things more depressing than animal shelters these days. Impacted with fuzzy friends sitting behind bars and "surrendered by owner" signs, they have become one of many starkly painful indicators of these trying times. This is no longer just an economic downturn or a debate over whether we're experiencing a recession; the mortgage meltdown is robbing Los Angeles residents of their homes, pride, and most devastating for some, their pets. The city, desperate to curb the influx of animals at its shelters, is urging landlords of "no-pet" properties to be sensitive to tenants' needs at this time. Still, the number of pets being dropped off at local shelters is up a staggering 21 percent. While authorities are striving for "no-kill" facilities, there has been a 28 percent increase in the number of pets euthanized so far this year.
Web producer Sarah Wulfeck and I recently ventured to the East Valley Animal Care Center in Van Nuys to get a first-hand look at the "fur-closure" crisis. Minutes after our arrival, we ran into a father and his two young sons who were dropping off their three dogs. As hard as it was for the boys to relinquish their faithful companions, the pain in their father's eyes was even more telling. Sarah and I stood back at a distance, stunned and speechless. She was quite wise to suggest that we leave our wallets in the car, so we wouldn't be able to purchase a pet. If I had room to take in more animals, Dippy and Buttons (both rescue cats) would have welcomed home dozens of brothers and sisters that night. We were also saddened to catch up with Bonita, an 11-year-old German Shepard-Chow Chow mix that was turned in last week. We were hoping Suraya Fadel's emotional report had led to her adoption, but there she was, now merely #A0966312. Shaking, scared and wet from outdoor sprinklers that keep the many dogs cool in the summer heat, Bonita seemed to be begging for a new home. Sadly, glancing around at the cages housing more than 300 dogs and cats, it's apparent that some of them will never make it out of the shelter.
But just as hospitals experience the highs and lows of birth and death in the same day, there were some visitors looking to start a new life with a pet in need. As some children bid their best friends farewell, others were looking for a companion that could be with them through kindergarten, not to mention first dates, driving and possibly even college. If you have the room, less than $100, and tons of love to give, you can give yourself -- and your family -- memories to last a lifetime. If you are even considering purchasing an over-priced pooch that may have come from a puppy mill, take a trip to your local shelter. As much as you give to a pet in need, you get back tenfold, espeespecially when you become the best friend your new pal just lost.
I’m seeing some of the same thing within the dog-rescue world I work in. Nearly all of the Weimaraner rescues nationwide are inundated right now. Some have had to stop taking in new dogs because they don’t have the foster homes or the funds to put them in a boarding kennel. Some have more than 20 dogs boarded, which probably runs over 200 dollars a day minimum. The rescue I work with is, thankfully, not overrun, and we’re taking up the extra dogs from a couple others. The transport costs of doing this are tremendous, though. Right now, we’re looking at bringing a dog all the way from Orange, CA to San Jose. That’s a lot of driving. I’ve put over 1000 miles on my car in the last month, just transporting dogs. That’s one person, working with one breed out of many., That works out to a lot of effort.
Thanks for posting this. It is very timely for me. Last Tuesday I went to the shelter and found a replacement for the 19 y.o. Terrier mix passed away last month.
And there she was: almost a year old, white and cream Rat Terrier. Purebred. I have no idea how she ended up in the shelter, but I couldn’t bail her out fast enough. Spectacular pooch. Of course, she’ll never “replace” my Lucky dog, but she’ll be very loved regardless.
You just made me even more glad I adopted her, and her new name is Ruby, btw.
Why don’t we just abort them like we do children?
Every pet a wanted animal and all that?
Sorry to be so cold but I’m not buying SeeBS’s talking point about the economy.
Someday the Lurkins will stop getting just cats and maybe this will be a breed we'll look into.
There is no animal shelter out there with a problem that a would not be taken care of by a few box’s of .22 ammo. There is no reason to spent hundreds of dollars when 2 cents well take care of it.
Dude that's harsh
I will gladly donate a box of .22s for when you get in such bad trouble that you have to go to a shelter.
I’ve seen it at my shelter.
We’re full up at my house. People have to realize these guys are totally dependent on them when they get them.
We have a sheet we show people that gives an estimated breakdown of annual costs an animal (dog, cat, rabbit, birds, etc) have. It is easy to say it’s between $1000 and $2000 a year for dogs, cats and rabbits. It isn’t a stretch. I think it’s sobered a few people up and helped thme not to make a mistake and adopt when they weren’t fully committed to an animal.
End suffering and neglect with death. You are so smart.
I’d stick to posting on DU if I were you.
We have a rabbit, our 3rd over the past 27 years or so. I hope we haven't been stingy with the little darlings, but $1000 a year seems steep. What does that include?
We've actually spent more money on this bunny than previous pets - an enclosure so she can run around outside of the cage when we aren't home, toys, tents, etc. We even had a vet visit for a case of snuffles. But $1000? Seems steep, but maybe I'm not adding everything up.
Some of it was one time purchases of a decent sized cage, carrier, water crocks, food crocks, litterpans.
Things to consider: A decent food pellet (like Oxbow); lots of hay (this can be expensive depending how you buy it); toys/replacing toys; 1 regular vet visit (if under 6) or 2 vet visits if older, a year; 1 unplanned/emergency vet visit; litter expenses (can be expensive depending on how you change it and what type you use); bedding material; pet gates, if you are blocking off certain areas with gates; personal medical and grooming supplies; building emergency medical kits for your animals.
Taken a .22 to your pets, have ya?
We found two litter mates, maine coon like cats many years ago, after we had to put down an eight year old cat who had cancer. Zack and Lyta. They have been the best.
They had been abandoned when they were one or two days old, and then fostered. They have been the best.
Trouble is animals are not human and have no rights. you would gladly see a person killed but have trouble getting rid of a dog or cat.
“End suffering and neglect with death. You are so smart”
Well they would not be suffering nor neglected when they are dead.
“Damn dude.... Is that from experience?”
“Taken a .22 to your pets, have ya?”
Sound to like you are the type who is willing to pay someone to do your job for you. More then likely your willing to pay a vet to kill your pet when the time comes.
Stand on your own two feet. There was a time in this country when a man did what a man had to do. Not hiring some one to do it.
“Dude that’s harsh”
Unless it is a no kill shelter a lot end up dead anyway.
Sad but true...I live out in BFE and if one of my critters needs to be put down...well it's a coin toss as to whether I call the vet or not.
She will make herself indespensible.
You don’t get over a dog you have loved and lost. You just learn to love again.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.