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The article I commented on, from my point of view, is an example of “how not to do things” and so I did take a very critical position on the questionable practices described by the author. Keep in mind, that her story is not unique at all and I simply used it as an example. However, there are really good people out there.
From my understanding, it’s the fact that I said ‘most’ shelters as opposed to ‘many’, ‘some’ or ‘a few’, which could be a question of debate and personal opinion. Nobody actually has accurate stats to comment specifically on the numbers. I do agree 100% it’s not all, which I never even suggested in the first place. That being said, I have personally reached a saturation point, where I feel very strongly that even one poorly run shelter or rescue is one too many. My biggest pet peeve in all this is that animals suffer because there are way too many circumstances when bad decisions are being made.
I do welcome the feedback. I had already planned to explain myself further. I was not intending to have a one-sided dialogue at any rate. (That’s just boring). I was a volunteer for years before “jumping over to the other side” and becoming a vet. I have seen the issues from both sides, but I am completely discouraged with the lack of rules and regulations that would make the “bad apples” accountable for their actions.
As much as I may appear to dislike shelters from the comments I have made, I have only ever had pets from shelters and rescues. My dog, Cesar, is from a rescue run by one of the nicest, most conscientious people I know. She deals with a very reputable local clinic and together they do wonderful work. I just wish I could say the same for absolutely everyone.
For the time being, I want to clarify just one other point I made about adoption days. I want to quote Rick who made a comment (on the Facebook Page), “Don’t throw bricks when you live in a glass house.” Thanks for that comment, Rick. I don’t actually have an issue with the concept of adoption days themselves, but I find it strange that rescues who have adoption days (sometimes in strange places) so zealously criticize the pet shops for impulse buying. I don’t understand why all the focus is on the pet stores and not directly on the puppy mills and disreputable breeders, who have excessive numbers of animals reproducing. Just think, reputable stores could be a place to have adoption days rather than setting up in parks, fairs and parking lots.
As for suggestions for solutions, we could all write a book! I can think of plenty, some being more feasible that others, but I think the first step is setting up even stricter laws and regulations. As the SPCA has been preaching for years, we need to sterilize and we need to go to the source – it has to become more difficult for just anyone to breed. This will be a topic for future posts.
