This is my response to a recent rescue “group email.”
I am tired of all the BS going around in local rescues stimulated by the idea that one person proposed… A somewhat solution to the problem of thousands of dogs being killed, not put to sleep or euthanized as so many people call it. These animals are Murdered because of human stupidity. Stupidity that is exemplified in this constant barrage of emails from one persons question, “should we send dogs to Canada?”
Many years ago Jews were looking for an escape from the hands of an absolutely insane situation in Europe… they needed an escape, a refuge.. But so many of the places they looked to would not take them. A while longer ago, African slaves looking to escape from the bonds of slavery had the refuge of the underground railroad. It seemed there were options and I wonder if these people had nay-sayers back then who said, “If we get on the boat to America, it might sink.” or “What if they don’t like southern slaves in New York.” I highly doubt it. This was an escape and I’m certain that some people died, some suffered but many survived. The bottom line is that more survived than if nothing had been done. It is my belief that those who do nothing, fearing that what they might do is wrong, are doing the greatest wrong of all.
Am I comparing animals in shelters to European Jews of the 1930’s or African slaves of the US south???… yes and no. Seeing as I love dogs more than most people, it should be a compliment.. however, suffering is suffering, whether its a chicken, a dog or a human being. No creature that God created should suffer. And since so many people are nay sayers and “locking the borders” at the CA state line, here’s an idea for you. For all the people who are “afraid” that the dogs might suffer, perish or die if they go to Canada, how about you take them to your place right here in beautiful Southern California. Or, if thats just too much work, maybe we can deliver a couple of barrels of dead dogs after the CA shelters kill them.
The shelter system is overburdened. I can tell you that because I visit the shelters regularly. Its not un-common to see three of four animals dropped off in the period of a couple of hours. People see the shelters as a place to dump animals, not as a place to get them. That is one of the biggest problems we face. But thats a topic for another post.
I am outraged and ashamed to be associated with people like the nay sayers on these rescue email lists. How about asking the dogs, “Would you rather be dead in a barrel here in beautiful LA, or take your chances in Canada?” Personally, I think they would opt for the later. Why is this my business? Simple, Bound Angels gives a voice to animals… that is not only the “slogan,” but also our mission…. my mission. So many people make decisions for these poor creatures, and there are several making these decisions who are incompetent, have no knowledge on canine behavior, and very little common sense on how to attack the shelter problem from a strategic aspect with the goal of solving the problem, instead of putting a band aid on a bullet wound.
Most rescue organizations that I’ve seen have such idiotic home check and pre adoption qualifications that several people I’ve talked with went to pet stores and bought a dog after being turned down by a local rescue. Way to go, our rescues now keep puppy mills in business. There is no qualification to get a dog out of a shelter, nor is there to get on from a pet store. So what happens is that the best, cutest, most sought after breeds, and youngest dogs end up in rescues, then often held up and hopefully eventually placed. All the while countless other animals are being killed in the shelters, or boarded forever until the perfect home is maybe found.
How about the real heros of rescue who take any dog from the shelter, and park a truck in front of a pet store and get these dogs homes… You know who you are, and so do I. You are doing true rescue work. You’re giving the dogs a chance… Yes, not all will find perfect homes, but they are getting a chance… a chance that does NOT exist otherwise.
My opinion, if you’re not part of the solution, you ARE THE PROBLEM. Dogs (and cats, by the way) need rescue.. They need to get out the front door, not the back door of our shelters. Check who the people are who want to take the dogs and give the dogs a chance. Don’t play Sherlock Holmes and deny someone a dog if they have a swimming pool or stairs or live in an apartment or some other crazy reason for Gods sake.
And, furthermore, driving dogs in a truckload on a 5 day trip is not my idea of rescue. I have shipped countless dogs via airlines and have a 100% success rate. That is the right way to go. If someone wants a dog and is willing to pay $300 to air ship them, I don’t imagine it being too bad of a situation. Look toward the solution and look down, cause the four legged friend that depends on you deserves a chance.
Those who stand in the way of progress are moving backwards, and if that is something you want to do in your own life or career, I have nothing to say about it… However, we are dealing with lives that sit on concrete, behind steel bars pawing at the humans who walk in front of their cages. Lets open the door, give the people a chance and more importantly give the animals a chance.
Robert Cabral
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Robert Cabral
BOUND ANGELS
“giving a voice to animals”
www.boundangels.org
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