WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE!
I need to talk about reality today. Many of us, myself included, get wrapped up in the titles of legislative bills, how we were treated by an institution years ago, what someone said or didn't say, etc. In other words, we rely on our initial or long past perceptions often without doing our homework or giving the other person/entity the benefit of the doubt.
No one likes to euthanize/kill healthy animals. The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri has an open admission policy - they take all comers in Cape Girardeau County and from where else, I am not sure. Their space is limited, their help is limited but very, very caring. As a Beagle and hound sanctuary and collaborator in rescue with HSSEMO, I am contacted re: Beagles and other hound types in need. When I am able, I bring them to Silverwalk. We collaborate in saving lives. Why do animals need to be euthanized? Because the public, and you know who you are, either won't, don't care or choose to remain ignorant about the need to spay and neuter your pets. Because some breeders are irresponsible for the lives of their puppies once they pass out of their hands. To me, were I a breeder, I would want my puppy back - whether as a puppy, an adult or a senior, should her family need to give her up. As a sanctuary, there is a clause in my adoption agreement which states the dog will be brought back to Silverwalk or new arrangements made known and approved by Silverwalk. This is responsibility and seeks to keep dogs and cats out of shelters, pounds and worse. If all owners and breeders displayed the proper integrity and responsibility toward the animals in their care, HSSEMO and other kill shelters would not need to do so! They don't want to euthanize healthy animals - I don't want them to - but many people just don't care. "Oh, that farmer could always use some cats for his barn" - NOT; "Those dogs will survive in the woods and the wild just fine - they are descended from wolves, after all." - FAT CHANCE - dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years. Could YOU survive alone??
Oh, and here is what has been happening far too frequently at Safe Harbor, of which Silverwalk is a part. Cats and dogs just left on the door steps, either loose or in crates. Many are too young to survive w/o their mommas. People are not at Safe Harbor 24/7; what do you think may happen to some of these babies when YOU leave them in the heat this summer? Where is your compassion, your heart? If you need food to help keep your animals, please let us know - we will help! But, literally, for the love of God, don't simply dump your animals like trash on a doorstep. IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO NEUTER OR SPAY YOUR ANIMALS, YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEM - SO DON'T GET THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE. PLUS, there is HELP for those on limited income for spays and neuters. Check with HSSEMO re: the SNAP program. Ask us at Silverwalk, Safe Harbor, Bollinger County Stray Project how/where you can get help. The vets in this town give many hours and much skill to help needy animals as well. I am speaking of companion animals - I have had horses, both geldings and mares - mares are rarely spayed. I am NOT speaking of farm/ranch animals raised under very good conditions for market.
I am full to the max and beyond at Silverwalk, I have several emails asking for placement of hounds and saw at least two Beagles at HSSEMO today who need help - and I am unable to do so without truly threatening the integrity of my pack & my license. I don't know the background stories of all these hounds. It makes me frustrated and angry to see EVERY DAY the needs of unwanted animals. We in rescue, shelters, pounds and sanctuaries don't have money trees; as a friend has said, she planted one and it died. The responsibility for animal welfare starts at home, on the farm and in the community with compassionate owners who seek direction, who alter their pets, who take obedience and CGC classes (if you ever can't afford a class, just say so - we want you to work with your animals!), who feed, house and LOVE their pets.
Bottom line: don't buy from pet stores (they support puppy mills, for which we have adequate legislation if we all simply help shut them down by not buying their living, breathing "product" & support those already in the field seeking to save these animals); spay/neuter your pets - if you need help or direction, call HSSEMO, Safe Harbor or Silverwalk as well as Bollinger County Stray Project; if you are in financial straits, be upfront and say so - we want to help keep your animals in their homes. If you want a pet but cannot afford one, VOLUNTEER at a local shelter - we need you as on-site volunteers and as foster homes. When you are ready, you will have seen many different animals and be in a better place to choose the type best suited for your home and lifestyle. Another way to help without adopting is to transport dogs and cats to new homes and rescues. I have met many breeds which I otherwise would not have just by transporting from Cape to St. Louis and beyond. We have links and people who need this type of help - by car and by plane.
A very final consideration regarding elderly dogs and cats who have been in your family for years - or not. Please, they hopefully have felt loved and treasured. Don't, don't dump them for a puppy; if your circumstances are such you can no longer care for your old dog, when her life is too painful or her health declining precipitously, take your heart and hers to your vet and be with her as she is sent to heaven. I do not advocate euthanasia but at least we can offer our old or fragile pets a dignified, loving passing from this world.
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