Dealing with Animal Cruelty

[Xander]

I am a huge animal lover and recently my wife and I adpoted a second dog from the local pound. We have many animal rescues near us, but we wanted to rescue a dog from a kill facility.

While we were there, we saw so many dogs that we wanted to take home, but with an apartment, we can't have more than 2. I left bittersweet because we had a new addition to the family, but there were still so many animals there who may not be adopted.

How do we deal with the fact that there are so many animals that are homeless and/or being cruelly treated.

It breaks my heart to think of all of these animals that may be scared or suffering.

[Dr. Randall Lockwood]

This is the challenge of working in animal sheltering and working against animal cruelty - you can't help them all... but we have made incredible strides in recent years in reducing shelter euthanasia, strengthening cruelty laws and enhancing enforcement of those laws. The place to start is in your own home and community, as you have done, and continue to support the local and national groups that share your concerns as best you can through action, volunteering, financial support or in whatever way you can. The biggest enemy is apathy, so caring about animals and getting others to share even a little in the care that you have shown can go a long way.

[Lenny]

Sometimes we feel that we can't do enough but even a little goes a long way. I believe that animals remember and appreciate the quality time that we give them. volunteering at a local shelter and giving the dogs a couple of hours of fun time helps so much.

[Ines Moreno]

Dear Xander,

I know where you are coming from. I have been to my local shelter and left totally heartbroken. I found a kitten at one time and thought if I brought to the shelter it would get adopted. Low and behold the person behind the desk took the box I brought it in and flung it to another across from him stating here's another one on the way out. At the same time they had a beagle tied very short to a door knob, couldn't lie down or barely sit and whimpering for who knows how long. When I inquired I got we'll take care of it with such disregard, didn't even look at me. I left and swore I would never go there again.