My First Visit to the Animal Shelter . . .

Okay maybe it wasn’t my “first,” but it was my first official visit for this class.  I do have to confess that I made a forced visit to the Animal Shelter two winters ago when my dog ran away and the City was closed due to snow.  Some kind sole took Phoenix down to the Shelter where he waited for me to come get him.  (No, he hasn’t learned his lesson.  He’s a greyhound and likes to run!)

Today was a new experience for me.  My first introduction was to Zach, a sweet, sweet cat that is waiting to go home with an employee.  Zach was very smitten with me.  He was so easy to pet mindlessly and licked my fingers to say “thank you” when I was done.  He was very social and polite.  We got to see the room where the Shelter keeps supplies for fostered animals.  You can foster an animal.  I’ve done that before and it’s very rewarding.  The hard part is when you have to give them up, but you know the Shelter did it’s best to make sure your animal is getting a good forever home.  They really want to make sure you get an animal that you will keep.  I went through those rigors when we adopted Phoenix.  Trust them.  They know what they’re doing when they help you pick out your pet.  One thing you should keep in mind, and this was not stressed to us today, but something I learned when I rescued our greyhound, the pets pick you.  If they don’t like you, don’t force it.  The best fit is when the dog or cat picks you.

We then went into another section of the Shelter where some animals are quarantined.  It’s not as bad as it sounds.  It’s the job of the Shelter to prevent the spread of disease.   Sometimes animals come in with communicable diseases and they have to spend some time alone to let it run its course.  I wish humans would do that with the flu!

The lights are bright and florescent; it reminds me of a hospital.  And it really is very much like a hospital in this section.  I could smell the cleaners, which did not leave a pleasant taste in my mouth.  Commercial Grade is so much stronger than what you're used to at home.  I kept going.  As a visitor to the Shelter, you will not go through this area.  It is a veterinarian hospital back here and there is no need to see this.  If you’re curious, I suggest you ask your vet if you could see where they operate before you come back in this part of the Shelter.  We saw the lab where techs and a veterinarian were testing feces for disease.  We saw the operating room where the animals are spayed or neutered or have any other surgery that is required. 

We moved on to the old kennel, which is not that old when you consider the real age of this building.  The dogs are housed in this area when they are first brought to the Shelter.  This is where your dog would be waiting for you if he or she ever got lost and was taken to the Shelter.  You can easily check the website http://www.trianglelostpets.org/  to see if your pet is there. 

We moved on through the kitten area.  Cats are so adorable.  They speak to you, asking you how you are enjoying your visit, begging you to come see their new pad.  They want to get to know you and decide if you are the one they want to go home with.  Cats are so different from dogs.  There are so many kittens coming into the Shelter now.  I hope you can find a place in your heart and home to welcome one into your family.

We kept moving.  The Shelter is so big and they’ve added more space because they outgrew what they had!  More dogs, of course.  The dogs are loud and bark incessantly.  They want a real home so bad.  And they are so competitive.  “Me, pick me.  I’ll be your best friend.  Just take ME home!”  Some even jump to show you their prowess.  It’s so hard to walk by them and not want to love on them.  The stalls are cold and bare.  They are given the minimum—food, water, and medications as needed.  The areas are immaculate, but the space is still confining, like a prison with no release for good behavior.  The only human interaction they get is when volunteers come in to love them or people come to adopt them.  We, the class, were actually placed in one of the stalls and it was not fun.  Seven girls in their early twenties and me.  It reminded me of a field trip when I was younger to a police station, where we were placed in a holding cell.  The quarters are tight and surrounded on three sides by cinder blocks.  A metal wire door allows the occupants to be seen by onlookers.  A cold concrete floor at your feet.  Claustrophobia sets in quickly.  These dogs are well cared for while at the Shelter, but they need love and a forever home.  They need your love.  Can you find room in your heart and home for one of these sweet animals. One dog was being visited by a young couple, testing to see if he was the right dog for them.

On our way out today, a woman brought in a box filled with a litter of newborn puppies, saying the mother ran away.  We all wanted to take a puppy home.  I guarantee that if you come, you will want to take a puppy home too.  Pet ownership is a responsibility, just like being a parent.  These animals become your family.  Make sure you are ready to accept the responsibility, including the financial aspect.  When you feel you are, come to the Animal Shelter, where it is certain you can find your new “best friend.” 

I hope my blog over these next few weeks will inspire you to make a trip to the Shelter with the intention of adopting a new member of your family.  And if you don’t find that one special animal that fits you on your first visit, come back again.  There are so many new animals coming in daily.  If adopting is not an option for you, please consider fostering an animal.  These animals need love, just like children and just like you.