The Truth About Animal Shelters

Many people surrender their pets to an animal shelter because they assume the shelter will find their beloved pet a forever home. But the truth is that most animals will only see a cage and a cold table where they will be euthanized. Yes, I know that when you surrendered your pet that they told you “we will find a home for your pet, or we have a family looking for a cat just like yours” They will smile at you and you will leave knowing your pet was in good hands.

WRONG!

That is what animal shelter workers tell everyone.  It is in their employee handbook to say this to every person that surrenders a pet.  The truth of the matter is that animal shelters are in every city and on average they take in more animals than they adopt out. My local humane shelter wrote that they have room for 125 cats and 275 dogs and took in 800 animals in August this year. When I asked what happened to the excess animals I was told that 100 were adopted, other animals went to fosters and other pets that did not meet the standards of the shelter were euthanized.

On average, an animal shelter will keep the surrendered pet for seven days however if the pet is sick, feral or not socialized, or fearful of their new surroundings, or deemed not adoptable they will euthanize it to make room for pets that fit the profile.

If you are in a predicament where you can no longer keep your pet then I would recommend that you try to find a home for your pet before surrendering to a shelter and choose your shelter wisely. Better to surrender to NO Kill shelter. Best to keep your pet.

Example if your companion does not like your pet, then explain to them that your cat is important to you and that you will not get rid of it. My husband did not like cats, I did not get rid of my cats, and my husband learned to love them. We have been married 22 years.

The apartment that I like does not allow pets. Instead of getting rid of my cat, I looked for an apartment that accepts pets.

I am allergic to cats, the doctor asked me if I would get rid of them, I said no. I take allergy pills daily and use Earthbath grooming wipes daily to remove cat dander and saliva. Two things that I am allergic to. I took steps to live under the same roof as my cats. I did not surrender them to a shelter.

With so many cats being killed annually at humane shelters, please stop before you surrender your pet, see if you can make changes in your life to accommodate your pet or network community, neighbors, family and friends for a new home for your cat.

Best to Keep Rehomed Cats Indoors

As I general rule I think it is best to keep a rehomed cat indoors until the get comfortable with their new surroundings and their  family. I say this because if you adopt a cat that is an adult and it has lived with their family for a long time and you allow the cat to go outdoors immediately it will try to find its way back to the former home.

Know that most cats do not make it back to the former home because they become lost in their new neighborhood and some cats try to cross busy streets and put their lives at risk.

I recently adopted a neighborhood cat that had been abandoned by its family when they moved. I kept this rehomed cat indoors for about a month but it was not long enough because he got out two days ago and did run to his former home.

The little tabby cat that I adopted never forgot his former home and as soon as he was able to run outdoors he went back to the house where his people used to live, a home three blocks away and across a busy street.

This is why I say it is best to keep a rehomed cat indoors.