Every year, hundreds of dogs are found in dire need of a rescue. Either neglected or left to fend for themselves by owners who no longer want to keep them. These pets decline rapidly and often do not survive their horrible situation. The sad reality of it is that we have no idea just how many dogs have to endure harsh treatment or conditions because many of them either die before they can be rescued or are never found. This is why rescue videos like this one are so compelling, and why more and more people report abuse cases or homeless dog sightings.
Dogs who do not receive the proper care often have with matted coats, which can be very painful as each knot pulls on their sensitive skin. Matted coats are also a great breeding environment for fleas, and scratching flea bites just makes dogs hurt even more. In addition to matting and fleas, this poor dog also had a bad infection on her face and in her eyes, and most likely would not have made it much longer if she hadn’t been given the care she needed. See for yourself:
Carly was lucky to be found, and luckier still to make a full recovery. After caring volunteers shaved her matted coat off, got rid of the fleas that were plaguing her and treated her skin and eye infections, she made a full recovery. She was adopted by a loving family with which she will now spend a long, happy life. And through it all, Carly remained a happy, affectionate dog. She didn’t show fear even after the horrible treatment she had experienced earlier in her life. This just goes to show how resilient and strong she is!
Unfortunately, Carly’s story is not that uncommon. Homeless dogs outnumber homeless humans 5 to 1, and over 2.5 million dogs and cats are killed every year because shelters are just too full and cannot afford to keep them alive. Old, sick and injured dogs are usually the first to go and, if Carly had been taken to a different shelter, chances are she would have been killed without a second thought in favor of a healthier animal that did not require costly medical assistance. Almost four million dogs are relinquished to shelters every year in the United States, and only a fraction of these dogs are adopted into loving homes for the rest of their lives.
Sadly, only ten percent of animals entering shelters are spayed or neutered, and only about one out of every ten dogs born in the United States will find a permanent home. This is why it is extremely important to spay or neuter pets when they are young. Spaying or neutering helps ensure that some poor puppies won’t end up on the street or killed by shelters that just don’t have the space or resources to care for them. Responsible owners who do not intend to breed their pets should spay or neuter them and provide them with a safe home and an enclosed yard from which their dogs cannot escape or be stolen. This isn’t always preventable however, so proper identification and preferably a microchip are the best way for shelters to identify the animal and return him or her to their proper owner.
Owning a dog (or any other animal for that matter) is a big responsibility and ownership should not be considered lightly. Most dogs live for many years and anyone considering becoming a dog owner should think hard about what that really means. Many dogs are sent to shelters because owners move and cannot take them along. Others end up in shelters because of their temperament or an owner’s inability to train them. Potential dog owners should do their research carefully ascertain that they are ready to commit themselves to training their dog and that they are willing to do everything in their power to offer a loving home for life. They need to know their new dog’s life expectancy, the typical temperament for the breed, and educate themselves on how to teach their dog basic obedience training. This should include things like house training, leash walking and learning to stay. Too many people do not take the necessary time and buy or adopt a dog on impulse. In fact, more than twenty percent of dog owners who send their pet to a shelter obtained him or her from a shelter. This means the poor animals have been abandoned at least twice and their chance at being adopted a third time is slim. Their behavior will often change, making them scared or anxious and this also contributes to their low chance of adoption.
Carly was one of the lucky ones. She went through a difficult ordeal but came out on top. Help success stories like Carly’s become more common by advocating the spaying and neutering of pets and reporting any case of abuse or abandonment you come across. Remember that every little bit counts, and your contribution is much appreciated!
