the worst put-down
As I've probably alluded to once or twice before, not one sparrow's basic conviction is that each and every animal life has value to God, which means that it should be valued and preserved by us as well (see motivation). This belief seems especially clear to many of us when it comes to the companion animals, or pets, we care deeply about.
Not that we should be limited to caring about the animals in our homes (see our faq and two posts ago). But the deep love and concern we have for our own dogs, cats and other animals (7 of 10 American homes have at least one pet, according to Pet Connection) often leads us to care very much about the fate and wellbeing of similar breeds, species or pets on the whole. We want to know that every greyhound, cat or even reptile is loved and cared for just as much as our own.
Naturally, we become tremendously concerned and even angry when we hear that, among all the other hazards and abuses which companion animals are susceptible to, as many as 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized by U.S. shelters each year alone (HSUS estimate).
While some of these animals, which otherwise have an irreplacable place in our hearts and society, are considered too sick or behaviorally-inept to adopt out, far too many are healthy and well-adjusted cats and dogs which deserve a home, and even more simply the right to life. Even those which are sick or behaviorally maladjusted deserve as much of a chance at the same. In general, the thought of such persistent and gratuitous waste of precious lives, each and every one of them, makes my own mind race and my heart sick; and I know I'm not alone.
Over the next few days we'll be looking at this dire situation more (I don't think desperate is too strong a word), and some of the hopes and realities which well-intentioned members of the sheltering and rescue communities wrestle with, at times from very different angles. We'll introduce the "no kill" movement which, ideally at least, seems like the right cause to get behind, and urgently at that; but we'll follow with some perspective which doesn't quite see the practicality and end results of the no kill movement holding true. We'll also have some valuable testimonial from a friend and fellow believer in the thick of day-to-day shelter administration; and there'll be some lighthearted but inspirational material as well.
I hope very much you can follow along and maybe even add your own experience and perspective to the discussion ...
(photo courtesy & copyright MeLissa Webber)
February 3, 2009
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (2)
Thoughts from an ex-shelter worker ... Ideally yes, No Kill is what we all want! Is it practical? Sometimes yes but not always! What's the lesser of the two evils: overflowing a low budget, short staffed shelter with dogs going crazy and suffering months on end in their kennels, or humanly giving them their death?
What's worse, adopting an aggressive dog into the community and endangering human and animal life (not to mention warehousing him while his behavior becomes worse because there are no funds for extra staff hrs or needless to say a behaviorist) or giving him a good meal, a "your a good boy" and a peaceful journey out of this fallen world?
Until the public cares about these issues, cares enough about individual animals, the common low budget shelter will not be able to save all the animals that pass through its doors. One last thing, it upsets me that shelter workers are thought of negatively. These are the people who suffer with the animals on a daily basis, caring for the abused and neglected animals, or worse the discarded "family pet." These are the people on the front lines doing the best they know how. Most go home with broken hearts to the few animals they could save.
I commend all Christians who use their voice for the voiceless. May more of us use the gifts God has given us like the creator of this site!
Thanks for a very thoughtful and meaningful response, Briana, it was great to see your feedback. And I'm very grateful for your personal vote of confidence as well (I'm the administrator for the site), thank you. I've learned a lot from MeLissa's posts in this series, a fellow Christian who currently serves as a shelter operations manager. I do very much hope we can come to a point very soon as a society where we do everything in our power to preserve each and every life placed in our care, whether personally or in shelters. That's one of the main motivations behind Not One Sparrow, and our name. Thanks again, Ben D.