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WHY ADOPT A SHELTER ANIMAL?
By Debby Leddy

Often people are skeptical about adopting from a shelter. They believe the animal is a reject or damaged goods with problems the previous owner was unable to control. Unfortunately many people still believe a pet is “disposable” and bring them to a shelter after normal behavior (chewing, housebreaking ect.) becomes a problem. My mission is to educate potential owners about dog behavior and training and to enable them to be a part of their pet’s progress so the dog will stay with them for life!

The best part of working at our shelter is seeing the many dogs, cats, rabbits, and hamsters going to loving homes! It’s very difficult to see people returning a puppy after two days claiming they cannot house break them or “they chewed my husband’s shoes!” Many people are not prepared for the responsibility of owning a pet, no matter WHERE they are adopted from! Shelter dogs are under a lot of stress just being housed in a kennel environment. The noise, being confined and general shelter activity makes it very difficult for a cat or dog to make an adjustment to this type of environment. Many people “feel sorry” for their adopted animal. Although this is a kind thought, the dog will not recover from insecurities and will becomes the “pack leader” of his new home. Shelter dogs and cats have an incredible gift of “truly knowing” the adopter took him from a place that was not a home and they bond very closely with their new owners!
My favorite words coming from former adopters’ of shelter animals are “I adopted a dog from you five years ago and he is the BEST dog I’ve ever had!”

As much as I always hope for the adoptions of our animals, I do not want people to adopt due to; “how sad this dog looks” or from the fear if they don’t adopt a certain animal that he will be “put down.” Be sure you and your family have the time needed for a pet and the pet is the right choice for your family. Don’t adopt a particular dog because you had that breed of dog as a child! Is this dog right for you NOW? Open your heart, give a needy dog or cat a second chance, just make sure you realize that this “second chance” is a life time commitment! They are counting on you!

Top Ten Descriptions of Lost Dog Reports (All True)

By Debby Leddy Williamson County Animal Shelter

Many people call the shelter to report a dog missing. We keep a record of these calls with the pet’s description to check all the strays coming into the shelter. It is always best to tell the caller to come in and see all the strays, since the descriptions aren’t always easy to interrupt.

(1) Question: “What color is your dog”? “Solid Black”. “Are there any other traits or descriptions”? Answer: “Yes, he has white feet, a blaze of white on his chest and a big white spot on his head”.
(Solid Black? It is so funny how many times this description of a “solid” color comes with other color descriptions.)

(2) Question: “How long has he been missing”? Answer: “Since I couldn’t find him”.

(3) Question: “How big is your dog”? Answer: “He comes up to the waist of my niece, Sarah”.

(4) Question: “Is your dog wearing a collar”? Answer: “No, just a rabies tag and name tag around his neck.”

(5) Question: “Is your dog friendly?” Answer: Yes, very! He just doesn’t like men, children or strangers”.

(6) Question: “Does your dog have long or short hair”? Answer: “Long hair, but very short in the places he scratches.”

(7) Question: “How much does your dog weigh?” Answer: “About as much as my son, Billy”.

(8) Question: “What breed is your dog?” Answer: “Well, he doesn’t breed anymore since we had him neutered”

(9) Question: “Is your dog a male or female?” Answer: “It’s a girl, but she still has her testicles”.

(10) Question: “What area do you live in?” Answer: “In Tennessee”.

“HOW CAN YOU TOLERATE WORKING THERE??”
Debby Leddy
Assistant Shelter Director/Education
Williamson County Animal Control

Seventeen years ago I started working at a small government run animal shelter (beside the local sewer department) in Williamson County, Franklin Tn. Boy was I in for the ride of my life! The euthanasia numbers were horrific. Many times I wanted to give up and remove my mind and body from the sadness inside those walls. I would have waves of positive energy believing if I worked very hard I would be able to adopt out all the animals putting to end to the need for euthanasia. A very naive way of thinking! As the numbers grew each day my heart dropped. Realizing, every animal that came to us was impossible to place in a home. Sometimes my tears were coming from anger about the people bringing in these animals and other days because I felt so helpless in trying to make things better.

The usual “burn out” for shelter workers is five years. I wanted to make a difference and I knew five years would not be long enough! The hardest part has been the public seemly blaming our shelter (and many more across the nation) for euthanasia. When asked where I worked, it was always the same; “Oh that’s the place they kill animals, isn’t it” or “I don’t’ see how anyone could work there!” Feeling the burden of having to put animals to sleep, lack of enough homes for all the pets, aggressive behavior and space issues hurt my soul to the core. The words “Dog Pound” tore at my heart as I worked very hard every day to do all that was humanly possible to save the animals. Our shelter must accept all animals that are brought to us regardless of behavior, available space or physical condition of the animal. While those are hard terms to operate under, what would happen to that animal if we turned him away?

Fortunately over the past years our shelter was rebuilt inside a beautiful park and the positive changes I have seen keeps me going. Our euthanasia numbers are lower, adoptions higher….but we still have many animals come to us each day. It will always be an on going climb but we’ll still be here climbing that mountain every day!

UPDATE ON MARIAH

A Letter from The Animal Shelter
February 10, 2010  8:30 AM     
How Long Will I Wait?

Summer turns to Fall, Winter to Spring…How long does Mariah have to wait?

It was a “normal” kind of day at our Shelter the end of last June 2009.  The call came in stating a momma dog and her pups were observed as looking, skinny, hungry and their health possibly endangered.  “Momma” was chained and unable to move around properly. She probably conceived and gave birth to her pups on that chain (?)   Our Officers investigated and found these animals to be skinny with no food or water present.  Momma and babies were confiscated, the owners cited to court and the sad looking crew was brought to our shelter.  Day one began with a comfortable place to lie down and plenty of food to eat and water to drink.  The count down for the court hearing was scheduled...
 
The owner of the dogs surrendered the puppies to the shelter and they were promptly put into the adoption kennel and received homes.  Momma dog was a different story.  The owners weren’t willing to surrender her to our shelter..  The court date was continued several times as “Momma” waited for her destiny.

It became a long wait, especially in “dog years”. On November 29, 2009, our shelter was given custody of Momma.  She was checked for heart worms, received vaccinations, boosters, and temperament tested with other dogs and for any possible signs of aggression.  She passed with flying colors and entered Dog Adoption #9.  It had been a long wait and she loved being walked by volunteers, greeted by school groups and the public.  All this activity began to really put a sparkle in this gal’s eyes!  She needed a name and “Mariah” was chosen.  Pretty colors of white with brown, approximately 3-4 years old, Mariah soon began to believe people were really nice!!!  

Our Volunteers worked daily with her, teaching the all important good manners of leash walking.    She’s a strong gal and really enjoys the long walks and training sessions.  She played with the other shelter dogs in our play yard.  She readily accepts her fellow dogs. Active and playful Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers or Shepherds, seem to be a good match.  She plays hard, but is friendly, well behaved and has lots of love to give.  

The 2009 holiday season rolled around and Mariah watched as many of her buddies went home with eager new owners.  Soon it’s January…. now it’s February.  Maybe the month of “love” including Valentines Day is upon us.  You see….Mariah is a Pit Bull Terrier.  Those three words strike terror in 90% of prospective pet owners.  All have heard the stories of savage attacks on people and other animals.  I understand the apprehension associated with the breed.  I also have observed over the past years that Pit Bulls are different than usually portrayed. 

Yes, there have been some Pit Bulls at our shelter that were totally “unadoptable,” mostly due to their past treatment by humans.  We take our adoptions very seriously and would never put ANY breed, who we thought would possibly hurt some one with a prospective owner.  But, as with ANY dog, no matter the breed, if they have a set of teeth they “could” bite.  That includes the Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrieves, Beagles, and poodles.  I don’t believe any owner should adopt a pet that they are not willing to research the breed, be prepared to train, socialize and exercise properly. Chaining a Pit Bull outside 24/7 is a great way to ask for problems. I know the feeling… I have German Shepherds whose “looks” alone strike panic in many people.  Any powerful dog breed has to have an owner willing to make the commitment and follow through.  They need to take the responsibility to socialize that dog and be prepared to continue to work with their animal.

Mariah needs a home.  No doubt she deserves one.  Is it fair for Mariah to watch more seasons pass and more of her buds leave for homes?  The answer is a struggle for me….living in a kennel indefinitely?  Is that the kind of life any dog deserves?  Is humane euthanasia the answer?  I wish Mariah could tell us how she feels.  I wish the right person would come in and adopt Mariah today. 

I wish the public knew how much our shelter staff and volunteers care for the animals in our charge.  For sixteen years I have fought to change the image of our shelter from the “Dog Pound” to an animal care and adoption shelter.  We enforce the laws of our state and county to protect and serve the citizens of Williamson County.  It’s an up hill battle and a “gut twister” when still being asked, in the year 2010 “if we are the place who 'gets rid of' unwanted animals”.  Yes we DO want to “get rid” of unwanted animals.  We want to place ALL the adoptable animals taken into our shelter with good homes and the second chance they deserve.

Where does all this fit in for Mariah?  I wish I knew the best decision for her.  I wish I didn’t know how sweet and loving she is to all of us.   Learning the big picture of animal sheltering does not improve with time and experience. It doesn’t make you harden to all the sad situations animals have been placed in by the people whom they love unconditionally. Whatever Mariah’s fate will be, I will always keep the picture of her lying in the “doggy welcome” chair in my office contently chewing a dog bone.  For that moment in time….Mariah felt as if she did in fact, have a home.

Wednesday February 10, 2010    2:30 PM
Shortly after writing this story, the employees rallied to find options for Mariah.  Writing to Animal Chanel’s programs Pit Boss and Pits and Parolees were mentioned as options. 

At 2:00 pm today, a nice couple walked into the shelter and Mariah walked into their hearts.  Throughout the screening process it was crystal clear this young man and woman knew the breed and had grown up with them.  They were smart, knowledgeable, responsible and loving! 

How did this happen today?  Oh, most definitely I believe in miracles.  I also believe whether it’s concerning animals or people, when you begin to give up or give in… something or somebody sparks our faith in ourselves and in each other.  We cannot save every animal that comes to us.  Nor will the “perfect” pet owners always walk in when most hope is gone.  However we can do all that is possible to make this world special for someone.   It may be a homeless animal, a lonely elderly person, or just someone who needs a friend.  Keep hope in your shirt pocket, and bring it out often!

Debby Leddy - Assistant Director
Williamson County Animal Shelter