"Oversight of animal shelters varies from state to state, In some places it’s the Department of Agriculture’s responsibility, in others the Department of Health, and often inspections are spotty or non-existent. When cities and counties are struggling financially, A lot of times, animal control is at the bottom of their list of priorities.”
-Julie Morris, senior vice president of community outreach for the ASPCA
Animal Sheltering in the US: History and BackgroundThe first animal shelters evolved from pounds used in the colonial age, whose purpose was to round up stray or wandering livestock which in turn has to be reclaimed from the “poundmaster” for a fee. Because of livestock’s value during that era, most animals were reclaimed. However, as animal shelters began impounding dogs and cats as opposed to livestock, that story changed. Dogs and cats had no economic worth and therefore, the practice of euthanasia emerged as a growing trend.
The first organization to speak up in defense of animal welfare was the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was formed in 1866. Originally, the organization's focus was on the mistreatment of horses, not dogs and cats.The idea of animal control in shelters became of increasing interest and eventually, cities began issuing dog licenses as a source of funding for these types of programs. Still though, the shelters’ main purposes were to protect public safety and property rights rather than providing humane care and treatment to shelter animals. treatment of the animals but to provide public safety and to protect private property rights. In 1874, the Women's Branch of the Pennsylvania SPCA in Philadelphia became the first organization to focus on the humane treatment of shelter animals. Until the late 1970s, the veterinary community had very little involvement in the management policies of shelters. Instead of focusing on providing humane veterinary care and treatment to the animals, the energies of many shelters revolved around providing a humane death for the many animals that were not reclaimed or adopted. Methods of euthanasia included clubbing, drowning, electrocution, decompression chambers, and carbon monoxide, all of which have been considered either quick or humane at various points in time. Although the evolution of animal shelters in this country has come a long way, there are still many strides that need to be made. The National Outreach department of the ASPCA estimates that there are around 5,000 shelters that exist in the United States. However, this is just an estimation because there is no federal system that regulates shelters whatsoever. Although some state governments claim to regulate and oversee shelters, the guidelines for shelter animal care is rudimentary at best. "For years, the Toronto Humane Society bragged of its low euthanasia rate — only 6 percent, compared with other big-city shelters that put down 50 percent or more of the animals they accept. In California alone, Chihuahuas make up 30 percent of the dog populations at shelters. A spokesperson for the animal care and control department in San Francisco said the popularity of Chihuahuas is largely to do with the “Paris Hilton syndrome” and pop culture. What most people don't understand when they buy a Chihuahua is that they have more needs than most other dogs, they are loud and aggressive, and are much more than just a fashion accessory.
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5 myths about animal sheltersDifferent Types of SheltersMunicipal shelters
Shelters that are under municipal control provide animal control services funded mostly by local taxes, dog license fees, and other specialized programs. Some municipal shelters are divisions of the city's health, police, or sanitation departments. For the most part, municipal shelters are open admission, meaning they must admit every animal relinquished to them regardless of the number of animals already in the facility. Municipal shelters often must hold stray animals for a mandated period, ranging from two to seven days, so their owners may have time to reclaim them. The resultant overcrowding is a major contributing factor to the high occurrence of disease seen in some shelters. Euthanasia* is often necessary as a means of population and disease control, regardless of an animal's adoptability. *Issue further explored on subsequent page Private shelters
Private shelters are often 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporations that raise funds from the public to provide services. Because they often do not have the contract for animal control, private shelters may be limited- admission or no-kill, meaning that they do not use euthanasia as a primary means of population or disease control. Private shelters can simply close their doors to alleviate overcrowding or control disease spread. Private shelters that do not have animal control functions tend to focus on adoption and neutering services as well as humane education, animal behavior programs, and community projects. Rescue groups and sanctuaries
Rescue groups and sanctuaries round out the array of animal sheltering organizations frequently encountered. Rescue groups often focus on a specific breed or species and have programs that work with larger established shelters to find homes for animals that fall within their guidelines. Sanctuaries provide homes for animals that generally cannot be rehomed, and they often house those animals for life. Case study: helmetta animal shelter
For reference: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/middlesex-county/2014/08/12/helmetta-animal-shelter-conditions-spark-scrutiny/13966055/
After failing health inspections and with a history of similar unsatisfactory reports, the Helmetta animal shelter in New Jersey has faced scrutiny. Conditions in animal shelters are often overlooked, so once this issue was brought into the limelight, the public called for change. However, the county's response was minimal and the Department of Public Safety and Health has yet to take notable action. "It's an animal shelter," said Darren Doran, director of public works. "You're trying to find homes for unwanted animals. We really don't know the health history of all these animals. You have to take them to the vet. Sometimes it just happens that it's not healthy. It's not intentional." |