Overpopulation

The amount of animal turn-over is at the Wake County Animal Shelter is overwhelming. I see new dogs every time I volunteer on a weekly basis. The Wake County Animal Shelter receives an average of 40 animals per day. That is approximately 270 new animals per week. During my last visit, I did not recognize a single dog from the week before in one of the dog rooms. All of the kennels in that particular room were occupied by new dogs, many of them who just arrived a day or two before my visit. I could tell because of the flea medecine that was still wet on their shoulders and the fearfulness of the dogs in the new environment. Although I was aware of the animal turn-over rate at Wake County, seeing so many new faces was a bit of a shock to me, realizing how many new animals the shelter takes in and wondering what became of the other dogs that I was expecting to see again. The animals are there one week and gone the next. It's almost like their just filtered through, in and out, in and out. Unfortunately, some aren't as lucky and have been at the animal shelter for quite some time. 

In the American Humane Association's article about pet overpopulation (http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/adoption-pet-care/issues-information/pet-overpopulation.html)  goes in depth about what is causing the overpopulation of dogs and cats. This article provides substantial information and various reasons, but one point that I want to point out from this reading is the topic of people choosing not to adopt. According to this article, there is more than enough homes to house the animal population. The real problem is that people are choosing not to adopt and are instead choosing to buy a purebred from a breeder or a pet store. Only 20% of pet buyers adopt from an animal shelter. Out of the 17 million shelter animals, only 3.5 million of them are adopted each year. 

"By choosing to adopt, you will not only save a life, but you will also ensure that your adoption fee is going to help the next unwanted pet that comes in the door of that shelter." -American Humane Association. 

Helga Higgins. ID#86330.
Helga is one of the sweetest and gentlest dogs that I have had the privilege to meet. She is always calm and trusting. I saw Helga in one of the kennels last week as I was taking pictures of other dogs and she was still at the shelter today. She has been in the shelter for 55 days, which makes absolutely NO SENSE to me. She is a sweet and kindred spirit- wouldn't hurt a fly. Maybe she hasn't been adopted yet because she is a Pitbull and she's skinnier than the other dogs in the center. Her homelessness could very well be manipulated by the fact that not many people are adopting these days, as discussed earlier. I am 100% honest when I say that I have no idea why she has not found a home yet. There is not a hint of bad in this dog. I miss her already and hopes someone as kind as her realizes that they need her in their lives. 

Helga Higgins. ID#86330.

Helga and I.
Photo taken by Shannon Johnstone on 5/29/13.