'NO KILL'?

We proclaim ourselves to be a ‘No Kill’ shelter. There are those who will argue that there is no such thing. To some degree I would have to agree. They would question what happens to the animals we turn away because of lack of room. 

I say that the animals in our care are safe. They will remain in our care until such time that they are adopted into their own family and home. I say that we make every effort to give the best care possible to each individual in our care. They are well fed, they are all spayed or neutered, they all receive personal attention daily from our amazing volunteers. We try to keep them socialized and adoptable.

If we overload we would not be able to take proper care of them. We have to consider not only space, but manpower and finances. Yes, we could possibly double up in some of our kennels and have done that on occasion, but that is not something we like to do. Not only does manpower come into play here, but these guys are on their own many hours a day. Should they have disagreements with no one there to intervene, the very least it would cost is a vet bill--at the most -- a life.

We have had volunteers who chose not to work with us because we don’t take each and every dog or cat in need. I hate to lose volunteers but reality is if we were to take 200, there would me 500 more out there in need. To use a well used cliche--we can’t change the world, but we can change the world for one dog or cat at a time. We trudge along trying to do just that. 

Who makes the decision on when to take in a dog or cat? I do! No one else has to be responsible or feel guilt. How do I make the decisions? I follow my heart and my gut. I don’t keep a waiting list because too many unexpected situations occur. The pups who somehow wind up in the median on 231 are in much greater need and danger than the one John Doe is trying to re-home because he is moving in a few weeks. 

We have been criticized for not pulling dogs from the pound. I say we take them before they go to the pound. We still occasionally take kids from there but usually don’t get the opportunity. 

I feel comfortable about what we do and how we do it. I also feel comfortable with making the decisions. I am also ok with those who disagree with me, that’s what makes the world go around. The POOP