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Dos and Don’ts of Visiting an Animal Shelter
Visiting an animal shelter can be a great way to find your next pet. These days, more and more soon-to-be dog owners are choosing to rescue or adopt rather than purchase dogs from breeders. Breeders can be overly expensive and sometimes use questionable breeding practices, so finding an animal that needs a home from a reputable shelter is often the better option. But what’s the best way to go about your shelter visit? Here are five do’s and don’ts from a former animal shelter employee!
DO: Check out the shelters in your area online before you go.
First, use a quick Google search to make sure that the shelter you’re visiting is legitimate and has good reviews. Second, most shelters now keep a list of the animals they’re currently holding on their websites. Take a look at the animals they have and whether they meet your needs—for example, if you’re looking for a dog under 50 pounds and the shelter only has big dogs, you may want to try elsewhere. You can always call ahead to a shelter to confirm which animals they have as well, as the websites may take a day or two to update.
DON’T: Close your mind.
You probably have some requirements when looking for a dog, like size, shedding, and maintenance, but try to remain open to the possibilities. If you’re looking for your dog in a shelter, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to pick and choose the exact dog you want like you could from a breeder. That can be a good thing, though! You might be convinced you want a Labrador and end up falling in love with a Husky. You might be certain you want a puppy, and then realize an older dog will be an easier, more suitable companion. You never know who you’ll find in a shelter, so keep an open mind.
DO: Talk to the staff.
Most shelters will keep a sign on each dog’s door stating its name, breed, age, gender, and any other crucial details. This info can be very useful, but it will never tell you the full story about a dog. Staff members interact with the dogs on a daily basis and will likely be able to paint you a much better picture about the dog’s past, its current behavior, and how well it might fit into your life.
DON’T: Open or enter an animal’s enclosure without permission from a staff member.
A surprising number of people simply try to walk into rooms with strange dogs, having no idea what their nervousness or aggression levels might be. Check in with staff before approaching the dog that catches your eye, and allow them to bring the dog out to you if you want to have a visit.
DO: Take your time once you’ve found an animal you want to meet.
If you find a dog you’re interested in, staff will most likely give you a chance to meet them in a larger space. Not every dog will be friendly right away, even if they’re your perfect companion. Many shelter dogs have had hard lives and may be slow to warm up to you—don’t make a snap judgment just because a dog seems shy or uninterested in you at first. Allow plenty of time for the dog to get used to your presence and your scent before you try to start petting or playing with them. Again, keep an open mind and be open to a wide range of possibilities on the first meeting!
GALTx eNews: Quarterly Hound Update!
We welcomed 40 hounds to the GALT family in third quarter. Thirty-two came from the racing industry, mostly from Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma farms, including Blaze's siblings with the deformed legs: Sammy, Frank and Demi. Three hounds transferred to GALT from shelters. Two hounds came to us as strays. One hound returned from an adoptive owner. One hound came from a hoarding situation and Brendon joined us from Argentina! Seven of the hounds coming from the racing industry went to GALT Central Texas to start their journey forever home. We found homes for 45 hounds, 38 with the help of the Dallas/New Mexico team and seven with the help of the Austin team. Our long term foster, Elixar found her forever home after nearly two years with us. That leaves about twenty-two available hounds, five hounds on Injured Reserve and twenty-three hounds in Training Camp. About 17 of these hounds are in boarding, awaiting the availability of a foster home. Our routine hound related expenses continue to average more than $1,000 per day. And of course unexpected expenses arise, such as the arrival of broken leg dogs, high kennel air conditioning bills, and the need to install drainage at the kennel. You can help us meet the ongoing need by setting up a monthly donation to our Champion Fund right here. With your help, we achieved milestones last quarter. GALT New Mexico observed its second anniversary and will celebrate with a party on October 12th. Email [email protected] for the details. We raised a new record of more than $20,000 in on-line donations for North Texas Giving Day. We kicked off the first of a series of hound helping mini-auctions at the end of September and strutted for Strut Your Mutt in Austin. Our Hermes Helping Hounds scarf shop raised money and awareness with a show at Southwest Gallery. And of course, our foster parents and hounds tirelessly met interested humans almost every weekend in the search of forever homes.
We have much fun planned for the rest of 2019 so let's keep the energy up to help the hounds! Thank you for your continued support!
October 11, 2019
I'm so devastated about Cooper and I didn't think I'd want another dog, but I feel like maybe I should look into it because I don't want to keep feeling this terrible. Does anyone know any good places to start looking to adopt a puppy? Specifically, I want a male puppy bred from a Borador and a Labraheeler so that it's 50% lab, a quarter blue heeler, and a quarter border collie, with the tail docked and that's mostly black with some white on his paws and chest. So, you know, Cooper. He was so smart and loving and everything I could have ever wanted in a dog. I'd like to find something similar to him in terms of breed to hopefully find a pup with the same temperament. If anyone could keep on the lookout for puppies like that, I would be extremely grateful. I live in Utah, but I'm willing to drive to find the right pup.
FORGIVE ME MOMMY
FORGIVE ME, MOMMY … I was there where you left me for two whole days. Sleeping right on the side of the road. I was terrified of the noise from the cars but I did not move. Last night one of those cars stopped and a lady got out. She invited me to lunch but I said no. She invited me to come sleep at her house and I also said no. I tried to explain to her that I was waiting for you but she wouldn’t listen. She pulled out a leash and said I couldn’t stay there any longer. I bit her several times and ended up peeing on myself as I growled and cried! She didn’t understand that she was separating me from you! She took me against my will and we drove off! I was so sad because I knew you were going to be worried.
We ended up at her house. I kept screaming hoping you would hear me but you never came. I vomited because of my nerves, feeling so sick. I kept telling her I had to go back because you were going to think I abandoned you when you saw I wasn’t there! I, who love you with all my heart and soul have not stopped crying since we separated a few days ago. I want you to know, I would never do that to you.
I don’t know where you are now or why you stopped the car and left me there. Surely you had something very important to do. Can you come find me now, mommy?
Today I ate because my tummy was hurting. I also slept on a very soft bed. And by accident I also wiggled my tail a bit. I’m so sorry, please forgive me. She’s just being really nice to me. She said I could stay forever. She’s calling me Milo but I already have a name. When you pick me up you can tell it to her. You’ll see how surprised she’ll be when you explain to her that this was a big mistake. Because mommy, you’re coming back for me, right?
Author unknown “Pets are not disposable when we don’t want/need them anymore. They are a lifetime commitment. They are family! Thank you so much to everyone who adopts and rescues them until their last loving breath. Because of you this world is a better place.”
Welcome to Your Forever Home
Welcome to Your Forever Home
The Petco Foundation, in partnership with BOBS from Skechers, is giving pet rescue groups the ability to win a $100,000 grant through the foundation’s annual Holiday Wishes campaign.
Chloe shortly after arriving in her forever home.
People who adopt a pet through an organization registered with the Petco Foundation are encouraged to submit a 500-word story about how their animal brightens…
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Rescue a dog with Paws in the City
Rescue a dog with Paws in the City
What has a better impact? Buying a dog, or rescuing a dog? Dallas and North Texas have dogs that need help.
Go to Paws in the City to discover dogs you can rescue and take home. Dogs are available for rescue now. You can also donate to Paws in the City in the DFW area.
In McKinney, the SPCA of Texas has pets ready for adoption too.
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