Shelters are important to the community. They help give the animals a chance to get adopted. They help provide a temporary shelter for the animals who are homeless, abandoned, are strays, are lost, or were surrendered. They provide a clean and safe environment for the animals. They receive medical care and a chance of getting a home. Shelters play a big role in keeping animals safe and off the streets. Almost any animal such as horses, birds, and reptiles. No matter how overpopulated they are, they still try their best to take in as many animals as they can.
In an interview with a volunteer at the East Valley Animal Shelter they had said “I believe that shelters have a crucial role in the community. We take in animals who were surrendered by their owners, and ones who got lost. We help them reunite with their owners and we also help the animals find their forever home.” Due to shelters taking in animals constantly they help keep animals off the streets and give them a safe place to stay. Shelters help make sure each of the animals are healthy and well taken care of. Another volunteer at the East Valley Shelter had even said that “Shelters help the animals get them off the streets and we of course feed them and take care of them.” Shelters are constantly taking in animals and try to help them get adopted to find a suitable home.
Shelters are often seen as bad since there are instances where they have to put down some animals. However, the reason as to why they put down animals is due to animals being bred which leads to shelters being overpopulated and more animals out on the street. These animals often get put down due to overpopulation and that’s why it is important for the animals to get spared and neutered so that there aren’t as many animals who don’t have a home. It’s important that more people are able to adopt and that more landlords allow pets. As it would result in less animals being in the shelters and less being put down. Kill shelters don’t only just put down animals for overpopulation but also to prevent diseases from spreading as well for even being too aggressive or seeming too aggressive. The dog breeds that are the most overlooked due to their reputation are Pitbulls, Rottweilers, and German shepherds. They are often put down because of their reputation, since they don’t get adopted as much, they are often the ones who get put down. It’s important that these animals get adopted or fostered before this happens. This goes for each of the animals there, each one of them deserves to have a home where they can feel safe and be happy.
Each time an animal gets adopted or fostered it reduces the number of animals being put down. About 6.5 million animals go into shelters each year while only 3.2- 4.2 million of those animals get adopted. With only 28% of dogs getting adopted and 31% of cats getting adopted. A study of a shelter in Charleston, South Carolina found that between 2015 to 2019, there were 2211 small animals (Rabbits, Guinea pigs, Mice, Hamsters) that got adopted with about 9.2% of them returning. In a different interview was a volunteer at the East Valley Shelter they had said “If we work together to reduce the population, we wouldn’t have overcrowding, we wouldn’t have to euthanize animals.” In a second interview with another volunteer they said “Even if you can’t have an animal, there are now facilities and agencies that are trying to help. So people can spread the word that we are trying to get the animals out to a safe place.”
Even if it isn’t possible to adopt or foster, there are other options such as volunteering. Volunteering can help support the shelters, there are multiple things you can do to help out, help is always appreciated. Most shelters have a donation wishlist, where you can donate the things on their Amazon wishlists. Volunteering can be beneficial not only to the shelter but also to us. Working with animals can be therapeutic and rewarding. Not only does volunteering help the shelter it can also help us; being around animals has been proved that it helps improve mental health, reduce stress (psychological and physical stress), improve cardiovascular health (lower blood pressure, blood sugar, and cortisol levels). Not only does it help our health and moods but it can also increase our confidence, social skills, help gain responsibility, help us stay active, and help find our sense of purpose. From volunteering you can gain work experience and service hours which look good on resumes. There is always a need for volunteers at shelters.
Donation lists : Animal shelters nearby wishlists
Locations: Find the nearest shelter
Spray and neuter: Low cost Spray/Neuter and Veterinary services contact sheet
Photos taken by Evelyn Moran
