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Houston Texas Shelters Have High Euthanasia Rates

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

The Houston Chronicle reported today that animal shelters in the city have abnormally high euthanasia rates when compared to shelters around the country. City shelters are putting to sleep many breeds often associated with aggressive behaviors.
The task force is especially critical of the the city shelter, the Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care, singling it out for policies that call for automatic euthanasia of breeds deemed aggressive.

Those include pit bulls, German shepherds, Akitas, bulldogs, chow chows, Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers. Most shelters nationwide euthanize pit bulls, but not all of the other breeds.
It seems to me that most Americans don't realize that when they give up a dog to the local shelter, there's a good chance it'll be put down...

"It is essential to shatter the widespread illusion that turning a pet into a Houston shelter means putting him up for adoption, when the truth is that the pet will most likely be killed," the report says.
I remember standing in line at the animal shelter in my county to re-license one of my dogs and over-hearing a lady standing in front of me. She told the shelter clerk that she wanted to turn in her Akita-Shepherd mix because he was too big and too energetic for her to handle.

She jokingly asked me if I wanted a dog. I said I already had two, and that's enough for me. I didn't have the heart to tell her that the shelter she was giving him up to will most likely put it down.

If the shelter posted a large sign in the lobby that clearly states, "All Dogs Will be Euthanized within Five Days if not Adopted", I think it would encourage dog owners to find a way to accomodate their dog.

1 Comments:

  • Not to fret Houston, TX! You have an animal sanctuary very close to you:
    http://www.smilingdogfarms.com/Welcome.html
    Run By:
    Jay Hellerich
    Smiling Dog Farms, Inc.
    6915 S State Hwy 60
    Wharton, Texas
    979-559-0523
    HELLERICH@aol.com


    Of Course Jay Hellerich & Ricky Clemente Need Donations for food & such as they use app. 10,000 lbs of food per month:
    http://petloverstips.com/ForTheLoveoftheDog/rescues-shelters/smiling-dog-farms-in-wharton-texas-urgently-needs-your-help

    They also KEEP *adoptable* puppies:
    http://www.smilingdogfarms.com/Success_Stories.html

    Dixie
    Can you imagine that someone could be so mean that they’d take me to the vet to be killed-- just because I was pregnant? I mean, it’s not like it was all my fault! Well, Sandy, the vet tech, intervened and would not let me be killed. She gave me to Ricky and Jay, and they took care of me until I had my beautiful babies! Ricky and Jay made sure I had special food and vitamins to help me with my nursing babies. Now my pups are all grown. We all live together in a big cottage with a huge play yard. It makes me feel good to lay on our front porch and watch my babies running and playing together!

    So with app. 1,000 canines there already? Hey what's a few 1,000 more? Just keep sending that Money. :)

    By Blogger Information, at 9:19 AM, January 28, 2008  

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