Need some opinions

[binka_nugget]

Wow..I didn't know shelters could get that bad. Especially in bc..not too far from here! I don't see many dogs at the spca get taken out...I know they're walked but they limit the age groups so not as many people go. At the pound, where we got Kaedyn, they allow people my age to go (with parent permission) and encourage us to walk them up for an hour. They said that we can groom them too...I'm a grooming nut! I don't think two shelties can sustain me lol.

At the pound, they have treats for us to take and give the dogs during the walk. They also have a big grooming station in the back with supplies and a huge tub for the doggies I just love it there. I really wish they'd have other animals as well...I'd love to groom a kitty or play with a rattie but the pound only has dogs.

[Foam]

What...we have another biiiiirthday?
>D Mwahahahahaha!!!!

[Kfamr]

I don't understand how they are allowed to operate if they are horrible like that.

[Foam]

As long as the animals are at least getting food, water and shelter than I guess it's legal as bad as it may be.

[Rio and Me]

Just an idea but if ur going to give blankets make ur money go further and get some from charity shops! over here they allways have big fluffy blankets and the odd duvete etc, ur gett more for ur money too!
good job people!!!!
Ky and Rio

[Logan]

Julie, I know your parents must be very proud of you. I certainly am!

If I were you, I'd do a little investigating to find out where your monetary donations would go if you chose to give them the shelter. They may have some sort of fund or something that they use for medical needs of certain dogs. Just want to make sure that any donation you make will go in direct support of the care of the animals.

Logan

[robinh]

What a wonderful idea!

Our shelter has a wish list of things they need or would like to have. You can always check with them to see if there is anything they really do need. I'm sure they would be delighted to have it.

[Stenograsaurus]

Originally posted by Foam
At our shelter they dont... Not unless somebody hoping to adopt or just for fun takes them out for a bit.

The same for my local shelter.

[Stenograsaurus]

I am sure your parents must be so proud of you. What a great heart you have. I would probably split it.

[carole]

I am really distressed to read about how awful some of the animal shelters are, is there anyway helping to improve these conditions, maybe volunteering to walk them and play with them, animals need mental stimulation just as human's do.

I have no idea what they are like in NZ, only the cat shelter's, and from where I got Lexie, they seem to be treated extremely well, feed high quality food, lovely bedding etc.

I would have to check it out further though to be certain.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Thanks for the replies guys!

Yes, I'll be sure to check the donation would go straight to the animals. I think I'll make a little gift basket for them, and then donate some money.

[clara4457]

I don't know if this is true elsewhere, but the difference in the shelters here is one is an animal control facility and the other is an adoption facility.

The Buffalo shelter is responsible for every animal in the city, including those that are involved in court cases like animal cruelty, dog fighting or dog biting cases. Since it is funded by the city most staffing is done only for maintenence (i.e. food, cleaning cages, rounding up stray dogs, etc) and there is no money for anything like obedience training, behaviour screening, education, etc. The people that work there do the absolute best they can given the funding they have and most are dedicated to the animals there. There is very little money for any kind of medical treatment. It is not the best atmosphere for the dogs and cats - but the fault lies in the city and not the people who run it. IMHO I am constantly writing the city government about the conditions there.

There is a couple of organizations that do everything they can by funding medical procedures, finding foster homes, finding rescue organizations for some of the dogs and that kind of thing.

The SPCA is more about adoptions and they seem to have more funding. They also seem to be better equipped with a medical facility, a training facility and adoption counseling. They also have "animal cops", but for some reason they do not seem to have as many stray animals as the city shelter, but they are located in a more affluent suburb.