No Kill Shelters

1175 Words3 Pages

All animal shelters should become no kill shelters. There are thousands of animal shelters in the United States that euthanize millions of loving cats and dogs every single year. These loyal, charming animals are abused commonly by previous owners, and/or some owners often will take their pet and abandon the animal on the side of the road, leaving these helpless creatures homeless. It is inevitable that these animals suffer from starvation and increase susceptibility to become weak, contract diseases, and become critically ill. Many homeless animals are captured and quickly transported in noxious and fetid vehicles to cruel animals shelters. These animal shelters are often times over crowded and filthy, and sundry animals are crammed together …show more content…

These unsuitable and unimaginable environments cause countless animals to suffer everyday, even to the point of a prolonged and agonizing illness, eventually succumbing to death.
All animal shelters should become no kill shelters because over the last ten years there has been a significant increase in mental health illnesses in communities including autism, anxiety, and depression. If animal shelters become no kill shelters, these animals could potentially be adopted and trained as service animals, providing human companions with great emotional support who are struggling with these illnesses. These service animals can assist with social interactions and be a great stress reliever. O’Haire, Mckenzie, McCune & Slaughter recognizes, “HAI social support theory suggests that animals can enhance social support both directly, as a source of comfort, and indirectly, as a facilitator of human interactions” …show more content…

By doing so, animal shelters will be more manageable as adoptions increase, making room and resources available for other abused and ill animals to be rescued. According to Krysten Kenny, “As of 2011, it is estimated that there are over seventy-eight million dogs owned in the United States, only twenty-one percent of which were adopted from animal shelters” (p. 379-406). Adopting an animal from a no kill shelter costs significantly less than purchasing a purebred dog from a puppy mill. Purebred animals generally have more health and behavior issues than mixed breeds, such as, anxiety, respiratory infections and congenital conditions (e.g. hip dysplasia, cancer, vision problems, and joint issues). The Institute of Canine Biology acknowledges, “The incidence of 10 genetic disorders (42%) was significantly greater in purebred dogs” (2015). Pure breds commonly go to the veterinarian more often than mixed breeds for medication and checkups for health issues, which is very costly for the owner. When individuals and families adopt from the no kill shelter the money goes towards vaccinations, proper medical care, food, and a more comfortable living area for the other animals. This way no kill animal shelters will not be a financial burden to the taxpayers and

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