Opinion: Shelter stigma is a myth

Why is there a stigma in people’s minds about adopting an animal from a shelter? The animals are not there through their choice. It was a human problem that caused them to end up in a shelter — not an animal problem.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20110603/OPINION02/706039941

Published June 3, 2011 in the Rutland Herald

Shelter stigma is a myth

Why is there a stigma in people’s minds about adopting an animal from a shelter? The animals are not there through their choice. It was a human problem that caused them to end up in a shelter — not an animal problem. They are not broken, not bad, not damaged goods. In a region that prides itself on independence and always being there to help those down on their luck — why does this attitude disappear in most people’s mind when it comes to animals?

Yes, some of the animals that come to shelters have issues to be solved. The issues often relate to lack of training or socialization, especially in dogs, but sometimes also with cats. These problems are human-caused and normally rather easily overcome with proper human intervention in the form of patience and persistence. Dog issues are easily handled by working with a professional dog trainer. The result is a great bond developed between dog and human companion that will bring a lifetime of joy and loyal companionship.

Animals are not things to be owned. They are not possessions to be put on a shelf until you are ready to play with them. Rather they are living entities with personalities and physical and emotional needs. How can someone acquire an animal and then want to interact with it only when it is convenient? This is exactly the problem that so often occurs — someone “gets” an animal expecting it to be perfect at all times. If this is what you want, get a stuffed animal. You can’t mess up its life.

People come to shelters all the time with a dog that “they just can’t train” or “is too hyper.” When you ask about its history with the home, you often find it was crated all day while the people were at work. Then when they got home and let it out, it went wild for human interaction and the resulting jumping, barking or other “crazy” behaviors were unwanted by the human who would rather sit and watch TV as the dog lay quietly nearby. If you are too lazy to properly provide for an animal’s physical exercise needs, don’t have one. If, on the other hand, you want someone to help relieve the stress of life — get a companion animal.

There is nothing quite like the stress relief of playing with an animal after work. You can come home tired, drained of energy and frustrated with life. Walk into the house to be greeting by warm, gentle eyes waiting just for you, and stress starts to drain away. Head out with the dog for a brisk walk or energetic playtime in the yard, and you soon feel great, full of energy and smiling. Sit down and play with the cat or perhaps simply stroke its soft fur while listening to the purring, and you realize all your problems are gone.

The companions waiting patiently at animal shelters have no stigma attached. What they do have is an abundance of love, loyalty and true companionship that is hard to find in the human world. They will not sit in front of a TV and ignore you. Nor will they be “texting” or talking on the phone incessantly while you want attention.

The only stigma for animals sitting in shelters is actually attached to the people who caused them to be there in the first place. Visit your local animal shelter(s) and see the abundance of companionship waiting for the right person. Perhaps you are the right person for one lucky animal. Actually, you will be the lucky one. Improve a life — your own — adopt a friend for life from a shelter.

TOM BROWE

(Executive director,

Springfield Humane Society)

Springfield