Friday, January 25, 2008
Letter from a shelter worker
I have worked for a kill shelter for three years now. Some of you may call me a "killer" while others say "I couldn't do your job". I will admit my job is difficult. People come in and drop their animals off everyday claiming they are moving or they do not want them or they are old and the owner can't bring themselves to take responsibility for their own animal. I don't go out looking for animals to euthanise, I have animals that have come from the shelter but I can't take them all. I am hoping to educate people not only about the job I do but how to all work together and stop the irresponsible pet owners that let their animals run wild, that neglect their animals, and those who drop them off at our door.
When I first started at Animal Control I had a love for Rottweilers having three of my own all rescued from the shelter. I quickly learned that no one wanted to adopt our rotties and I really didn't know what to do. I started e-mailing rescues and got no response until one day our shelter manager gave me Diane's name and told me she was the President of North Carolina Rottweiler Rescue. I was hesitant at first because I thought she would think I was nuts or be like some of the other rescues that wanted heart worm tests and vet checks before they would even consider my request. Well, to my surprise when I contacted Diane she only wanted to know the dogs temperament and how long she had to come and get him, I was amazed and she kept her word to me the Rottweiler some of you may know as Diesel lived. Three years later I am still working with Diane and NCRR and they are one of the most respected rescues at the shelter I work at. To date NCRR has saved at least 20 Rottweilers from my shelter alone not to mention a few other breeds when requested. NCRR has always kept their word, they have always found a way to help me find these dogs homes.
Rescues need to realize we want all the animals to find good, loving, and responsible homes but we at shelters are overwhelmed with the pet overpopulation and irresponsible pet owners. We also do not have a vet on staff so we don't have the means to diagnose or treat dogs that may have come in sick or injured. I ask all the rescues to help me and the rest of the Animal Control professionals don't work against us and call us "killers" to make yourselves look better, address the problem at hand and educate the public on responsible pet ownership, come to our shelters and rescue the animals. I understand that not enough people volunteer to help the rescues and believe me I am so grateful for all of those with NCRR that have stepped up to help and give these animals another chance. Can we all find a way to work together to save these animals and educate our communities to solve the pet overpopulation problem? Again I welcome any rescue that reads this to help me and other shelters out and step up to the plate if you don't know where to start or how to help your local shelter contact NCRR I can assure you from my experience with these wonderful men and women they can lead you in the right direction.
Finally I would like to thank NCRR and all the RESPONSIBLE rescues out there that have helped their local shelters and who have stood behind the shelters to help them save lives without people like you people like me would not be able to do our jobs. So to all those who have told an Animal Control worker " I couldn't do your job" you are right in a way because I couldn't either without Diane and NCRR!!
When I first started at Animal Control I had a love for Rottweilers having three of my own all rescued from the shelter. I quickly learned that no one wanted to adopt our rotties and I really didn't know what to do. I started e-mailing rescues and got no response until one day our shelter manager gave me Diane's name and told me she was the President of North Carolina Rottweiler Rescue. I was hesitant at first because I thought she would think I was nuts or be like some of the other rescues that wanted heart worm tests and vet checks before they would even consider my request. Well, to my surprise when I contacted Diane she only wanted to know the dogs temperament and how long she had to come and get him, I was amazed and she kept her word to me the Rottweiler some of you may know as Diesel lived. Three years later I am still working with Diane and NCRR and they are one of the most respected rescues at the shelter I work at. To date NCRR has saved at least 20 Rottweilers from my shelter alone not to mention a few other breeds when requested. NCRR has always kept their word, they have always found a way to help me find these dogs homes.
Rescues need to realize we want all the animals to find good, loving, and responsible homes but we at shelters are overwhelmed with the pet overpopulation and irresponsible pet owners. We also do not have a vet on staff so we don't have the means to diagnose or treat dogs that may have come in sick or injured. I ask all the rescues to help me and the rest of the Animal Control professionals don't work against us and call us "killers" to make yourselves look better, address the problem at hand and educate the public on responsible pet ownership, come to our shelters and rescue the animals. I understand that not enough people volunteer to help the rescues and believe me I am so grateful for all of those with NCRR that have stepped up to help and give these animals another chance. Can we all find a way to work together to save these animals and educate our communities to solve the pet overpopulation problem? Again I welcome any rescue that reads this to help me and other shelters out and step up to the plate if you don't know where to start or how to help your local shelter contact NCRR I can assure you from my experience with these wonderful men and women they can lead you in the right direction.
Finally I would like to thank NCRR and all the RESPONSIBLE rescues out there that have helped their local shelters and who have stood behind the shelters to help them save lives without people like you people like me would not be able to do our jobs. So to all those who have told an Animal Control worker " I couldn't do your job" you are right in a way because I couldn't either without Diane and NCRR!!
# posted by Herb @ 9:40 PM 
