I am a huge fan of no-kill shelters- I got my 2 dogs from one. However, not all dogs and cats can be adopted out safely and economically- it is a sad fact. Many animals that come in are too sick or injured to make it financially smart to "fix" them, and once they are healed, may prove unadoptable after all. Many animals are dangerous (vicious or feral) and therefore, unadoptable.
Unfortunately, many shelters that are actually well-run and responsible get the "kill" label pasted on them, which is not really fair to the shelters and animal controls that do the best job they can given the unpleasant circumstances. Our shelter does a great job at marketing and adoptions and many many animals are placed through them. I have seen a few dogs come into the clinic that I would consider very bad risks, but the owners thought they were "cute" and the no-kill shelters were determined to adopt every animal that came through the door, even lying about the animals. In some cases, thousands of dollars in medical bills or several bitten children later, cute was wearing off.
This is one of those issues where at first glance, we all say "Sure! We need to save ALL these dogs and cats", but the realities need to be addressed. Some shelters that are overly "passionate" sometimes do more harm than good to their cause by adopting out animals that have too many problems, and many of them are dumped somewhere down the road- they are worse off than before now.
Bottom line- spay and neuter, and tell anyone you know with unaltered animals to do the same. If they can't pay, and you can, offer. It could save some animal lives down the road, and prevent cancers in the animals down the road too.
If your community is still using .22 rifles, that is outrageous. The shelters out around Louisville that were doing that ended up getting some money for humane euthanasia after the public went nuts - local new stations went around filming the shootings. It worked, but I am sure it still happens out in the state too often.
Keep up with your pets' shots. If your animal bites someone, and the shots rabies vax is overdue, it is such a hassle for everyone.
If you are adopting, spend some time with your "pick" before taking him home. We were back and forth several times with ours, watching how they interacted with the staff, our kids, other dogs, looking for aggressive tendencies, etc. Good shelters will follow up with you and offer support if you are having any problems once you get home.
Just my .02......and on a positive note, we do see many more happy endings than sad ones. It is just the sad ones that are memorable.
Hopefully the community will rally aropund Cork's friend and make the Bay County shelter a fantastic place to adopt a dog or cat!
. That just ticks me off and what kind of people can do a job like that? It breaks my heart to think my little Sunshine was one day away from being put down. What a waste! She brings me such joy and there are so many others. 