Gizzy - Chinese Crested (Click to enlarge)
It’s spring. Puppy and kitten season is in full swing. What? You didn’t know there was a puppy and kitten season? The rescue groups know there is one. That’s when they work the hardest because all those un-spayed, un-neutered pets are out there doing what is in their nature to do and…boinko, we have another Bingo, or more likely we have another No-Name person who will not find her forever home. She will find humans to be unkind and uncaring. She will not share the kind of dog-love that that dogs are meant for. That adorable, lovable puppy or kitten will fade away, into the street, starving and vermin infested until she dies or is picked up to languish behind bars until someone kills her. Or she will be turned over to a shelter while she is young to live her life behind bars until she has over-stayed her welcome and is put down.
Pet over population statistics are over-whelming. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates that 6-8 million pets enter shelters every year. Of those, 3-4 million are euthanized. EUTHANIZED. Killed, people. One of the things which amazed me about that statistic is the range. These numbers are so staggering that what’s a couple ‘o’ million pets? Six, seven or eight million pets end up in shelters. I guess the bean counters just say, well, what’s the diff? Three or Four million are killed while in these shelters. Not 3.4 million or 3.8 million, but 3 to 4 million. What’s a few hundred thousand either way, huh. If this next number doesn’t affect you, then get to a doctor immediately, there’s something wrong with your heart. Of those enormous numbers of dogs that enter the shelter only 600,000 to 750,000 are “reclaimed”. Re-homed. Homed. The rest are killed. And here’s another kicker for you, 25% of these animals are purebred. Yes, full-blooded, as they say around here. One in four of those shelter dogs were purposely bred…to sell…and they end up in shelters. Or are left behind…anywhere…like a 5 foot diameter bean-bag chair that doesn’t fit into your decor anymore. (Too much information about me?) I’m jus’ sayin’.
Which brings me to Gizzy. Clearly this dog didn’t happen by accident. He is a pure bred Chinese Crested, but he was rescued by another one of our big-hearted clients. He has all the fixin’s any other Chinese Crested has…but there he was…in need of rescue. Don’t we wonder why? I do. We won’t know. Did his original owners leave him behind because they moved? Did they want to rethink the whole Chinese Crested thing once they saw him fully grown? Did a human baby arrive on the scene and the family dog just had to go? These are reasons people give for giving a dog up to a shelter. And I do pass judgment. If money is tight as it is with all of us during these economic times, we still need to regard these pet folks as precious family members whose lives are respected and loved. If one is not willing to understand that, they are not suited for pet ownership.
Still here? Good! Then you’re my kind of folk. You probably have at least one, if not 10 rescued animals in your own home. Or you may be someone who sought out a pure bred dog from a reputable breeder. Perhaps you felt the need to open your home to one or more rescued animals as well. Maybe you are a reputable breeder. Bully for you. Stay reputable. Seek assistance if needed. But remain responsible and we will remain respectful of your avocation. It’s all about the animals, like Gizzy here. His home is with a woman who loves him as well as his other rescued house-mates and wanted a portrait of him to register that love.
For more information about breed rescue groups in your area you have only to Google the breed of choice and “rescue groups” and the world is open to you. If you would like to adopt any breed or would like to volunteer hours or make a donation we’re kind of partial to our local groups, St. Francis Animal Sanctuary, St. Tammany Animal Rescue Team (S.T.A.R.T.), St. Tammany Humane Society.
As always, please comment on my post or photo or post a photo of yours. Exif: 1/250, f11, ISO 200
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