Debate: No-Kill Shelters & Kill Shelters

[DogGoneGood]

Debate Rules:
1. Keep it civil and mature! Everyone is entitled to thier opinion. No name calling etc. You are allowed to debate and have a differing opinion but try and keep it civil at the same time

2. No one sentance answers. (Ex: "I think it's wrong.") Try to back up your opinion with thoughts, articles, website links etc.

3. Try to keep the topic from running off track. If it starts to go somewhere else you can start a new thread about whatever it's gone off track about

Debate Question:
What are your thoughts on "No-Kill Shelters" and "Kill Shelters"?

Is it a realistic idea to have only No-Kill shelters in the world?

[nattiej1976]

I find it really hard to discuss this issue, not because I am scared of what people might think of my oppinion, or not because i am ashamed of my opinion, but it is just heart breaking to think that i hold the oppinion that I do.

So in saying that I best share my thoughts. I hate the fact that our society seem to see animals (particuarly dogs and cats) as a disposable item like a TV or computer. I hate the fact that people out there bail on a commitment they promised to make a little kitten or puppy in bringing it home. I would LOVE to think that every shelter was a no kill shelter, I would LOVE to look at the human race with rosy coloured glasses and believe that we had the heart to live up to the promise we make to the domesticated pets as we bring them into our lives, I would LOVE to believe that everyone who brings a pet home does so with the knowledge of what pet ownership brings......but unfortunately this is just a dream of my expectations of what is supposed to be the ultimate species of them all.

When it comes down to it, whilst there is no governing or control over mills and bybs, I can not know how we could sustain strings of no kill shelters, whilst too many humans out there dispose of their pets because their too old, or too fluffy, or too bouncy, or too whatever the excuse may be, and then have the ordasity to try again with another pup or kitten (and often fail im sure) we can not support no kill shelters in mass.

In an ideal world, I would love to see strict licencing on breeding, and hefty fines for those that breed without a licence, and a stronger governing of who is breeding what and how, and screening and licencing potential pet owners before even handing the responsibility to the future family. Limit the number of pets being bred, restrict the ownership of pets to those that are prepared and willing to work hard to make it work, then is the only way I could forsee us being able to sustain a larger no kill shelter network. I hate the thought of innocent animals looking for love being destroyed, but untill we understand our responsibilty as a whole society, and enforce many of the things mentioned above, the shelters that do rescue and rehome the lucky few could not cope at all.

There will always be need for a shelter of some sort, amongst the stupid "dog doesnt match the new landscape" "Kids have left home" excuses, there are some legit reasons for surrender, so the shelter will always have a place in societies that do keep companion animals.

I hope i dont offend anyone with this, it is my thoughts on the matter, but not my preference...........*sighs* in an ideal world, they would all have the love and care they need.

[DogGoneGood]

Nattie, you wrote out my every thought more beautiful than I probably could have put it myself

Yes, idealy we wouldn't need kill shelters, and even more idealy we wouldn't need shelters at all.

I support the no-kill shelters, but I believe we have just too many animals without homes.

I would love to be more involved with rescue than I am (as of now all I can do is use my web skills to promote shelters and animals looking for homes, and donate when I can) but because of my location I can't (the closest shelter is 2 hours away).

Here in Canada it's illegal to sell unregistered puppies, but unfortunately it's not monitored and reinforced at all.

I think as a society we've come a long way in pet ownership. Education is the key and I think the World Wide Web has helped educate a LOT of people and change their minds on how to take care of their dogs and teach them they are not disposable items. Unfortunately we need more people higher up who believe these same things (people in government) who care enough to reinforce the rules we already have and create new ones to crack down on puppy mills etc.

Unfortunately still, even with stricter rules and punishments (that are actually inforced) on breeding still won't weed out the people with their dumb excuses dumping their pets off at shelters

It is a touchy subject for sure, but I think unless people discuss it and find ways to solve the problems it won't ever change

[charmingnancy]

Don't worry Nattie, I agree with you, too. World wide no-kill shelters would be great if it could actually be a reality, but in the real world, there are just too many dogs and cats being born and not enough homes for them.

When I adopted Bo, he was not yet neutered, and I had to sign a contract promising to get him neutered in the next month. I thought and still think that this is a great idea, because dogs and cats can produce many offspring in their short lives, and their litters can produce more litters, and so on and so on.

Sadly, there are probably always going to be overcrowded shelters that don't have the space and financial ability to take care of all of them, and get them all adopted out in a timely manner. We have 2 shelters in the city I live in, the county humane society and the city animal control shelter. I don't know what their policies are in euthanizing because overcrowding, and I'd rather not know. Euthanizing animals because of behavior or health problems is one thing, but having to put down healthy and friendly animals because there is not enough room or money to take care of them just breaks my heart.