Saturday, July 23, 2022 | 2 a.m.
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Animal shelters across the nation, including the Animal Foundation in Las Vegas, are being wrongfully blamed for a problem that is not of their making.
The killing of unwanted animals is not going away. But it is not the fault of shelters whose workers pour their hearts into their work and whose hearts are broken to see what is happening. They watch as animals languish, locked in kennels day after day. Many of these poor creatures have lost all hope as they have been passed over time and time again.
Some longtime workers even develop what is known as “compassion fatigue,” a form of psychological exhaustion and feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and powerlessness from watching animals suffering and being euthanized.
The problem is that there are too many unwanted animals and not enough homes to adopt them. Animal shelters are overflowing and there is little relief in sight.
People continue to buy from breeders or breed their own animals. These actions contribute to the death rate in shelters.
Owners fail to train their pets, which leads to behavior problems and results in people surrendering their pets to shelters.
They fail to microchip their pets.
Worst of all, owners do not get their pets spayed or neutered.
It’s the very people who should care the most who create the problem. Overflowing shelters are a product of society’s irresponsibility. So don’t disdain animal shelters and their workers — they love animals, and they care. We should, too.
