| Saving Animals, One Shelter at a Time By: Jennifer Biscuti According to the ASPCA, approximately 8-12 million animals enter shelters nationwide every year and approximately 5 million are euthanized. 56% of dogs and 71% of cats are euthanized for various reasons, such as moving, cost of pet expenses, inadequate space or landlord issues. Shelters usually acquire animals by three means, either a pet owner voluntarily drops an animal off, a concerned citizen delivers a wandering homeless animal, or Animal Control Officers capture them. Less than two percent of cats and only 15-20% of dogs are actually returned to their owners. There is hope for unwanted or neglected pets that doesn’t involve euthanasia. No-kill animal shelters started becoming popular in 1994 and have become more and more prevalent in the US since then. San Francisco started the trend over 15 years ago and is still considered a no-kill city. Animals at most no-kill shelters are only euthanized if they are very sick or too aggressive, thus deemed unadoptable. They do not use euthanasia as a means of population control. Since funding to no-kill shelters is limited, no-kill shelters rely on a few techniques in order to continue being no-kill. Sponsors, partnerships and veterinarian services are great resources for funding low-cost spraying and neutering. Shelters are dependent on volunteers, retention and adoption programs. Shelters also work with breed rescue groups, who focus on matching specific breeds with homes for ideal pet matchmaking. The Jersey Animal Coalition (JAC) in Maplewood, New Jersey is one of the most prevalent no-kill shelters in the state of New Jersey. “We rescue dogs and cats from local shelters in the area, including those in Jersey City,” said President Ruth Perlmutter, “we’ve even rescued dogs from Virginia.” The JAC also relies heavily on volunteers from the area who socialize with the animals and take them for walks. “We’re not funded by [the] state, so we pay our own medical bills for the sick animals,” Perlmutter said. “And we don't euthanize any animals, no matter how aggressive or sick they may be.” Instead, Perlmutter says, dogs and cats are matched up with specialists who train and rehabilitate aggressive animals. “Even if animals are unloved or unwanted, we give them a second chance to become pets or caretakers for the elderly or disabled. We receive new animals in all the time, so we’re flooded with cute puppies,” Perlmutter said. Perlmutter is no stranger to the power of animal love, either. She created the Lurie-Peabody fund in memory of her mother. After her father became ill, Ruth persuaded her mother to get a cat—who she named Peabody—and they formed an unexpected and strong bond. Peabody was an important part of her mother’s life up until her death, at which point Ruth gladly looked after the beloved pet. The fund was established to help low-income senior citizens care for their pets. No-kill shelters are great places to adopt your next pet. The animals are treated with care and respect, and are so appreciative to be in a loving home. |
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