I went to the SPCA today

[WELOVESPUPPIES]

Doesn't it make you want to take them all home and just love on them? I use to go home crying from the pounds and humane societies. I have not been in a long time, just breaks my heart. I stopped going after I saw this medium sized reddish color dog with a severe underbite where all his bottom teeth showed. He was so sweet, an older dog. I leaned over and gave him some lovin. I went back a couple days later and he was gone. With hope in my heart I had to ask, I really wished I hadn't. He got a home, in Heaven. I guess the lady could see how much it bothered me and said, "sometimes it's better just not to ask". I can still see his little smile with his teeth sticking out, that was at least 6 years ago. I surely hope all the babies you saw today find their own loving home.

[Marigold2]

I always have such a hard time going as well. I want to take them all home and would if my husband would let me. I do tell my friends to give to the ASPCA and I mention special animals that I know someone might be interested in.

All of them deserve a special home with unlimited love, understanding and a good dose of fun.

[mike001]

I drop in on a regular basis to give them blankets, towels,bags of food that I find on sale, toys etc. I can never resist going down the hall to look at the cats and dogs and I always swear I will never look again, just drop off the stuff. It never happens, I just have to see who's new and who's missing.

[Marigold2]

We need more people like you Mike.

[Argranade]

I would love to adopt all those poor animals,

Of course I can't so I just look at them hoping they find homes soon!

I would consider walking the dogs at the THS but it's way too far.

I wish MORE people would consider a shelter animal than a baby animal.

[mike001]

Argranade-- that's why I find it hard to look. I would give anything to own a huge facility for all the homeless to have a forever home.

[Blackrose]

I haven't been back to the shelter for quite some time....last time I was there I saw a GORGOUS Chow/Boxer mix (had the head of a Boxer, the body of a Boxer, the tail, coloring, and tounge of a Chow) who was being surrendered because, "She's eating my roommate's furniture!"
I suppose no one has ever heard of training. That dog was just so full of spunk and was bouncing around like, "Oh, cool, new place! Let's go explore, mom!"

Since I can't adopt any of the dogs, and since I can't volunteer there, I just choose not to go. Helps keep my heart intact.
I still remember the first time I went there...I was around six years old. There was a Husky/GSD looking thing that kept crying for me and every time I went over to him he was all tail wags and smiles. I cried so hard when we had to leave him behind.

[TamanduaGirl]

I always have such a hard time going as well. I want to take them all home and would if my husband would let me. I do tell my friends to give to the ASPCA and I mention special animals that I know someone might be interested in.

All of them deserve a special home with unlimited love, understanding and a good dose of fun.

The ASPCA has VERY few shelters and lots of money not going to them. Your local SPCA is not the same and you should give directly to them.

[Medusa]

I can't go any more. It's too heartbreaking. I can't bring any more home w/me and that's what I want to do. Seeing their sweet, sad faces just tears me up and I can't sleep for weeks afterwards. So I write checks. Not the same as giving a dog or a cat a good, loving, permanent home but it helps w/their expenses. This makes me so sad just writing this.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

I'm not sure I could go and leave empty handed. I do my bit by direct debit to as many animal charities as I can afford

[sandragonfly]

any shelter kills my heart too. I never could leave there without a tear.

but when I go there, for whatever the reason was [], I guarantee you I would bring at least one home! ... that was ocean, miles, RB whisper, RB ozzy, RB puzzles and midnight. midnight is the last one since the last shelter I went to, about two years now. it hurts to go.

I actually went to the largest humane society in this biggest city last year but I wasn't very happy with their decision; 23 cats and a number of dogs were euthanized in a day.

I swore I'll never go there again. until I'm ever ready.

[Callie]

Well, my husband and I do visit a nearby shelter whenever we can. It is clean and well run and is no-kill shelter yet most of their animals get good homes. They have a couple of 'old faithfuls' who call the shelter their 'home' and are loved by all.

We don't feel bad when we go except when we have to realize we simply aren't allowed to keep a pet where we are. What we give instead to each of them, is a precious time of attention, affection, and love. We play with, pet, or cuddle as they wish, not as we wish. They get treats if they're allowed and not on medication or some such. Sometimes we take the dogs out individually for a bit of exercise. It's loving and loved in return.

Before we leave, we chat with the people who run the shelter and make our usual donation. We feel rejuvenated and more determined than ever to get into a situation where pets are possible despite job location.

It's all in the point of view. I agree kill shelters are tough to stomach but still, one has to spread love and TLC as best one can for "Even as you do unto the least of these, ye do so unto me." Quote attributed to Jesus of Nazareth in The Bible.

Callie