Kennel Stress

I got a very good comment from Todd that is worth writing about;

"Of course, it isn't only the space allowed to an animal in a shelter. "Kennel Craziness" is well documented in shelters around the world. All the barking, on top of the stress of being "locked up" will drive any dog crazy over time... some sooner than others. When this happens, it is very hard to bring them back to be a suitable pet or companion. It can happen, but it takes a lot of work, love and dedication to do so... and there are no guarantees. It breaks my heart to think of these dogs locked up indefinitely, in inhumane conditions, going crazy... all to line some pockets with government money that was originated for a good cause, but like many government programs, is misused and abused."

When visiting different shelters in the world I have seen "kennel craziness" from depressed to stressed dogs. It is horrible to view! And knowing some of the dogs will be put down to sleep is horrible. It is horrible because we put them there.

But then you have these dogs that can survive, the shelter is having doggy walkers that comes and takes out the dogs for a walk. Or, people that are giving them a foster home!

Even people in the "business" of animal shelters with the best of intentions have to make hard choices every day. Look at the clearly unethical actions of some animal activists that have been publicized in recent years. When dealing with life or death decisions for these animals... or even "just" quality of life questions, it is a hard balance. Who truly knows without a doubt what the right thing is? But is it right to end someone's life?

Sometimes Amore is hard to see.