Moon's Graden

Hello, all. Our county recently built a beautiful, expensive new dog
shelter, everything is top of the line....the old one was nothing less than
a torture chamber.

However, the kill facility is run by the same-old same-olds, who are
completely overworked and don't appear to care about the dogs to boot--let's
just say that it isn't a rescue-friendly shelter.

We have a great local organization that saves dogs from the pound and
fosters them until they are placed, but we can't do it all. Members are
getting *very* discouraged because after five years, they cannot see any
changes at all, other than the new shelter, which they feel is destined to
go the way of the old.

Anyway, taking things one step at time, I was wondering if anyone had any
suggestions for putting together an "adoption kit" for people to take home
when they adopt a dog from the shelter. Currently all you get for your $35
is a dog (several of whom recently have died of parvo after the owners get
them home), a license, a rabies certificate and a dirty look or unfriendly
remark. It's hard to imagine why more people don't want to adopt....

Anyway, our Pound Rescue/Humane Society Cat Shelter *does* give away
discount spay/neuter coupons, so obviously this is something that could go
in there... what else? The ultimate goal would to turn this into a no-kill
facility, but as many of you are aware, that's a long way off. Our county is
so overrun by stray dogs that people in outlying areas are afraid to go for
walks in the evening.

Basically, we need ideas for motivating our county officials and dog warden
and for educating the people in the county.... Any advice is
appreciated......
Thanks,

Sarah

How about training information?  There was a fellow on the groups some
time ago who wrote a pretty straightforward, nothing-fancy basic dog
training manual, asked anyone who was interested to read it and suggest
where he was way off-base and/or make suggestions for improvements, and
after trying unsuccessfully to find a publisher, decided to make it
available free online to anyone who would like it.  I refer people to it
all the time - not in lieu of obedience classes, but it's a good start.

Tracy Landauer

Sarah:  Here in Rhode Island, Volunteer Services for Animals has been
doing just what you describe for the past 20-plus years. I used to be
involved with them, but haven't been for quite a while.

You might want to check VSA's web site and maybe call someone there for
advice and encouragement. Many of the Rhode Island town and city animal
shelters are now partially staffed by VSA volunteers, who also handle or
assist in the adoption programs.

      http://www.ultranet.com/~vsa/index.html

Good luck; sounds like you have an awful situation. Thank goodness for a
nicer facility, anyway.

- Anne

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