By Madison Mangoni
Everyone talks about how important it is to save animals from animal shelters, but how many really take action? Dogs slumber in shelters every day, hoping to find their forever homes, but are euthanized before reaching their goal. Most people buy younger dogs from breeders, unaware that a more suitable companions may be an elderly dog waiting in a shelter for them.
According to the APPA, 34% of dogs are acquired from breeders, with 23% coming from animal shelters. Every year, over 6.3 million companion animals enter shelters throughout the country, and 56% of these animals are put down due to overcrowding, while these canines deserve to live a happy and healthy life in a decent home. The animal shelter system in the United States is extremely complicated, but it comes down to simple math: for the system to be balanced, the quantity of animals exiting a shelter must be greater than the number of animals entering. Right now, that is not the case.
Pitbulls are a breed of dog which has become overabundant in animal shelters. People always comment about how Pitbulls are one of the kindest and most loving dogs one can own, yet they are still frightened by them. When I went to an animal shelter around a month or two ago to film a video about adopting dogs from the facility, I had to go through it, and what I witnessed shattered my heart. Dozens of the dogs were Pitbulls that were as nice as could be and just wanted love and attention. Throughout the video we made, I was allowed to pet these Pitbulls, and it was clear how compassionate they are when given the opportunity. After seeing what I saw at the shelter that day, I made sure to show my two Pitbulls extra love when I came home. They are the best dogs I could have ever wished for.
Pitbulls are not the only dogs that are found in shelters, German Shepherds are also found populating different shelters. German Shepherds and Pitbulls are sometimes grouped together. They look to be a vicious kind of dog, aiding police officers and apprehending criminals, yet these fur babies aren’t always “on the job”. They, too, deserve affection and a forever home.
To summarize, dogs in shelters suffer various problems, but with more knowledge and community participation, we can significantly improve their lives. Adopting a shelter dog not only gives a deserving animal a loving home, but it also helps to reduce shelter overpopulation. By donating to local shelters, volunteering, and spreading the word, we can help more dogs find forever homes and enjoy the happy, healthy lives they deserve. Together, we can make a better future for these devoted, loving companions.