I understand everyone's opinion about keeping them forever. But we need to be reasonable. For starters, humans need to be more responsible pet owners. If we had more responsible pet owners, we wouldnt have the large numbers of animals put to sleep each year. Second, you need to think of the well being for the animal itself, not your heart. I know its hard to do that, but it needs to be done. I have worked at animal shelters and also volunteered with rescue groups. Resuce groups are usually an 'all volunteer organizaton' where the animals live at someone's house, and not in a cage. They will stay with their 'foster parents' until they get adopted or die of old age. Thats a good life for an animal. But living out the rest of your life in a small cage is NOT good for an animal. dogs and cats eventually go 'cage crazy' which is basically a nervous break down. they dont like the confined spaces. And once they get 'cage crazy' theres usually no hope for them becasue they tend to become aggressive. Once the animal becomes aggressive towards people, it cant be adopted out. Theres too much of a risk. I would love to see animals not have to be put down. But unforunately, that wont happen anytime soon. I live down in Southern Louisiana where about 90% of the animal shelters are STILL over filled from Katrina and Rita and dog rescue groups are maxed out too. Believe me, I have called them all. you might think it sucks and unfair to put down a dog or cat just because it hasnt been adopted yet. But its also cruel to let this animal live out its days in a small cage. What kind of live is that? You need to be thinking of the best interest of the ANIMAL and not what you think should be done. Theres many, many rescue groups but not all of them have space for a dog or a cat. Because rescue groups bring the animals home with them and not to a shelter. Sheters, like the Houston SPCA do not have the space to house animals for ever and ever. Last year alone, the SPCA had over 25000 animals admitted into the shelter. Where can you put that many animals? theres NO room for those animals. Again, if we were more responsible, we wouldnt have that problem. Perfect example, I saw an add where someone was getting rid of his puppy because he adopted it and and after a couple weeks, he decided he didnt like the dog so he's getting rid of it. There needs to be more rules and regualtions for owning an animal. I am a huge dog lover and I hate to hear of animals being put to sleep, but also I think its best for the animal. Would you want to live out the rest of your life in a cage? Next time you are talking about putting animals to sleep, use common sense and dont think with your heart. Unforunately, we cant save them all.
