Happy Endings

It's been a couple of weeks since I started photographing at the Wake County animal shelter, and I am thrilled to say that almost 50% of the animals I've taken photographs of have been adopted. Here's the very lucky animals: 

Wally. ID#88346.
Found a home in less than a week. 

Leonard. ID#88682.
Adopted in less than a week.

Martin. ID#88652.
Adopted in less than a week.

Karmin. ID#88710.
Adopted in less than 2 weeks.

Lady Chops. ID#88373.
Adopted in less than a week.

Joanne. ID#85804.
Adopted in less than a week.

Alicia. ID#879857.
Adopted in less than a week.

Galinda. ID#88455.
Adopted in 2 weeks.

Kitty Cat. ID#87933.
Adopted in three weeks-1 month.

Nyasha. ID#88520.
Adopted in less than a month.

Vala. ID#88728.
Adopted in 2 weeks.

Domino. ID#88609.
Adopted in less than a week.

When adopted, each animal is neutered and spayed before leaving with their new family to their new home. This is a WCAS requirement when adopting an animal, which is a great effort in protecting the species of the adopted animal, but the benefits of neutering/spaying don't stop there. According to research found in Janet Scarlett's article, Exploring the Bond: The role of veterinary practitioners in reducing dog and cat relinquishments and euthanasias, neutering and spaying have a great impact in owner surrender rates: "neutered dogs and cats have one half to one third the risk of relinquishment, compared with sexually intact animals" (309). By enforcing the rule of neutering and spaying for all adopted pets, the WCAS is decreasing the likelihood of the animal being surrendered (some for the second time). This is great news! Animals continue to find good homes and neutering/spaying is saving their species! This is truly a celebratory post!

For more information on how veterinary practitioners take action in decreasing the dog and cat relinquishment in Janet Scarlett's article: https://courses.meredith.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-389245-dt-content-rid-613248_1/courses/13U61-ART-949-A/W4_day1_relinquishments%281%29.pdf