Saving Innocent Dogs From Kill Shelters

To whom it may concern:

Gandhi once said, "The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”  Over 3 million healthy and adoptable dogs and cats are killed every year in the United States! Everyday, innocent dogs are brought to Animal Control Centers, which are actually animal kill shelters.  Common reasons for dumping these precious pets in animal kill shelters include: “not enough time, allergies, landlord issues, personal problems, and abandonment.”

These kill shelters are extremely stressful environments for these innocent dogs. Unfortunately, most dogs will be destroyed within 1 – 3 days, because there are not enough people to adopt or foster these pets! The painful and horrific killing of healthy, adoptable dogs is not "euthanasia." The dogs that survive may develop an illness and/or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder during their shelter stay.  We must do more to help the plight of homeless dogs, and this petition will help ensure that all pets are protected.

Possible solutions for protecting pets include:

• Abolish kill shelters- “No-Kill Shelters” should be the standard


• All shelters must partner with several animal rescue & foster programs


• Pet stores must only sell “rescue pets” from shelters


• Pet Retention Efforts including medical and behavior rehabilitation


• Tax Deductions for pet owners to defray pet costs


• Reduced vet costs for low income groups & owners of rescue pets


• Mandatory Spay & Neuter at reduced cost


• Fine owners of non-neutered adult pets, & reimburse after the pet is neutered


• Establish stiff fines against backyard breeding & selling pets


• Landlord incentives for allowing pets in apartments (with a deposit)


• National Database & penalties for animal abusers, negligent owners, & pet dumpers


• Stop draconian breed bans- dogs are aggressive because of negligent & abusive owners


• Pet Education in schools & public education regarding the plight of homeless animals


• Animal Welfare Checks in problematic areas


• Anonymous Hotline for any Animal Issue (complaints or assistance)


• Associate with Pet Therapy Groups to enable these pets to be used as therapy pets


• Partner with VA hospitals to allow these animals to assist our vets


• Associate with prisons & non-violent prisoners for pet training (benefits prisoners and pets)


• Recycle rescue dogs as Police Canines (Texas & Arizona already have successful programs)


• Shelters must provide HONEST pet evaluations & advertise all pets the day they enter the shelter


• Accessorizing pets for their shelter photo is very important, because it increases attention & adoptions.


• Increase media coverage to ensure these pets are adopted (newspapers, TV, online ads, social media)

Additionally, we must reduce the stress of the pets while they are in the shelters. Research has proven that pets develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder during their time in the shelter, and we must keep all pets more comfortable during this stressful time.

Possible solutions to reduce pet stress in the shelters:

• Play calm music throughout the shelters (classical or spa music)


• Provide dim lighting to reduce stress


• More comfortable pet bedding, supplies, & shelter environment, to facilitate a more pleasing atmosphere for pets and potential adopters.


• Educate volunteers to provide touch therapy or massage therapy for pets


• Local students can read to the dogs from outside their cages for calming stimulation


• Increase volunteers to assist with the pets (walking, feeding, cleaning, and comforting)


• Volunteers can be recruited from high schools, universities, unemployment lists, and community service programs

These innocent pets will continue to die if we do nothing! Please enforce the actions on this petition, and if you have any reluctance, please Google,  “kill shelter pets” and "Gone But Not Forgotten Dogs" on the NYC ACC website. We must continue to foster or adopt pets, advocate, educate, and donate towards saving these precious pets!  Pet lives matter, too!

Thank you for your consideration in saving our precious pets. 

Sincerely,

Darlene Dezelan

dezcip@yahoo.com