It depends on how the shelter is run. Our local shelter is under new management as of this year, it has really turned around! It used to be an awful place to go in and I dreaded it, the people were awful and I don't think they really did it for the animals, they had no volunteers and were putting down tons of animals. With our new director the place is awesome! The first thing she did was look for volunteers, the old people that still work there were absolutey shocked, they did not, and still don't, like the volunteers coming in and helping out, don't ask me why, these people are still getting paid and have to do less work now! We repainted the whole place and made it more visitor friendly. They had this shed out back with lots of cots that were donated, well the people that used to run the shelter never even got them out of the shed and the dogs had to lay on the bare cement. Now each pen has a cot, the dogs have blankets, there is a 15 minute rule that states that the dogs pens have to be cleaned of all urine and feces every 15 minutes, outdoor pens were finally made, donations are finally welcome (the old management used to refuse all donations of food, litter etc because they felt they didn't need outside help). While the shelter is not the ideal place for pets it does keep them off the streets and well fed and hopefully they will get a forever home that each pet deserves. Almost everyday after school I go to the shelter and bathe or walk the dogs for at least an hour, I wish someday there will be no need for shelters but I highly highly doubt that will happen so we might as well try to make the best of it.