Shelter euthanizes dog/owner chgs mind too late

[gsdraven]

Originally Posted by Courtney

My daughters school took a tour at a newly built shelter in our area...she came home so upset..completely different living situation that our boy is in..she was so shocked by the noise, the pacing and some of the dogs just pushing there bodies against the cage begging for attention

I'm surprised they would do that. I'm not sure I would let my kid go at least not without me present. Some days I barely make it out of the shelter without tears in my eyes and I am no stranger to walking through the city animal control shelter.

[Germanshepherdlova]

Originally Posted by Courtney

My daughters school took a tour at a newly built shelter in our area...she came home so upset..completely different living situation that our boy is in..she was so shocked by the noise, the pacing and some of the dogs just pushing there bodies against the cage begging for attention

I have never been in a shelter...I literally cannot stand the thought of it, thinking about it right now turns my stomach. In the morning I pass that same shelter and have to turn my head when the dogs are outside playing..I feel SO SO bad *tears*.

That is how I used to feel and it took great personal strength the day I walked into our city shelter and decided that I was going to rescue a dog-but let me tell you-there is nothing like walking out of that pitiful place with a dog that you rescued and giving him a new life and watching him be all that he can be instead of being PTS. Instead of just glancing from the outside and feeling bad-if possible, doing something about it,that is what makes all the difference-even if only for one dog-to that dog, it means everything.

[msvette2u]

Originally Posted by Germanshepherdlova

That is how I used to feel and it took great personal strength the day I walked in and decided that I was going to rescue a dog-but let me tell you-there is nothing like walking out of that pitiful place with a dog that you rescued and giving him a new life and watching him be all that he can be instead of being PTS. Instead of just glancing from the outside and feeling bad-if possible, doing something about that is what makes all the difference-even if only for one dog-to that dog, it means everything.

Yep...even my husband won't go in the back and I finally asked him why, he said it's too distressing for him.
I go in with the idea that we're going to help at least one dog that day.
It might mean the difference between life and death!

[Courtney]

Originally Posted by gsdraven

I'm surprised they would do that. I'm not sure I would let my kid go at least not without me present. Some days I barely make it out of the shelter without tears in my eyes and I am no stranger to walking through the city animal control shelter.

This was when she was in 6th grade, I think? The class was working on somesort of "awareness" project that included community service. I remember my husband being iffy..he goes to safety concerns first..but we did let her go. I also understand your point.

[jang]

Originally Posted by Germanshepherdlova

This shelter is kill happy, they didn't even have the dog for 10 minutes before they euthanized it! The owner was still in the parking lot for pete's sake! Shame on the owner of this dog and shame on the shelter.

I had to take my dad's cocker to be put down and phoned them first to make ABSOLUTELY SURE she would be put down immediately-- She was always afraid of the vets and I didn't want her in a cage and freaking out--However, I didn't go in "there" with her-which I will forever be disappointed in myself for..My point is that I believe the shelter thought they were being humane in performing their task quickly--This is truly unfortunate-but the shleter did what was right IMHO
Jan

[Courtney]

Originally Posted by Germanshepherdlova

That is how I used to feel and it took great personal strength the day I walked into our city shelter and decided that I was going to rescue a dog-but let me tell you-there is nothing like walking out of that pitiful place with a dog that you rescued and giving him a new life and watching him be all that he can be instead of being PTS. Instead of just glancing from the outside and feeling bad-if possible, doing something about it,that is what makes all the difference-even if only for one dog-to that dog, it means everything.

I'm not in a position to take on another dog...the one we have is a handful! Maybe in the future. I can't even watch those tv commercials...the one with Sara McLachlan always comes to mind..I have to turn the channel.

I did start to donate to a GSD rescue...for now that's what I can do.

Your boy sounds very loved and in a outstanding forever home

[shilohsmom]

I think if any good were to come out of all this its that perhaps with the media coverage it might open someones eyes about what goes on in the Shelters (the good, the bad and the ugly). Maybe, just maybe, someone might see the story and try just a little bit harder to find their 'throwaway Fido' a home before sending it to the Shelter.

[GSDolch]

Originally Posted by Konotashi

NoMansLand - did YOU read the article? She said the dog destroyed drywall and carpet. My aunt had a maltese that had severe separation anxiety. It wasn't usually an issue, because she took that dog, literally, everywhere she went - even work. One time she left him with her dad and he put him in the bathroom. He did several thousand dollars worth of damage. Destroyed the cabinets, the walls, the door, the floors.... And this is an itty bitty Maltese, all done in less than a few hours!
I don't even want to think about how much damage a lab puppy could destroy in that time if it had SA.
Most dogs won't chew through drywall or carpet just out of being a puppy. I believe the dog most likely had SA, which, as was said before, is not just a 'little' problem. Though I also believe that if the owner wanted to work with her, it could have been overcome. It's not someone else's job to adopt the problem dogs to work with their extreme issues - which is why she was euth'd.

This still doesnt mean the puppy had SA. A person I know had two lap puppies eat his porch..over 1500 worth of damage.

They were BORED and UNSUPERVISED.

Labs, IMO are one of the few breeds who will eat almost anything, so putting a hole in the wall does not surprise me. Heck, I had a lab eat the bottom of my bathroom door once.


I don't really fault the shelter..although it does seem a bit hasty, IF it was that short of a time as the woman says it was. I don't feel sorry for the woman at all, I fee sorry for the dog though.

[Germanshepherdlova]

Originally Posted by Courtney

I'm not in a position to take on another dog...the one we have is a handful! Maybe in the future. I can't even watch those tv commercials...the one with Sara McLachlan always comes to mind..I have to turn the channel.

I did start to donate to a GSD rescue...for now that's what I can do.

Your boy sounds very loved and in a outstanding forever home

I know how you feel, my GSD is something else. That commercial is very sad. I think it is wonderful that you are donating to a GSD rescue. Everything helps!