Just a snapshot: 55 dogs and 78 cats

[Stinky The Clown]

That's how many are currently sheltered at the Baltimore Animal Shelter, most dropped by owners who can no longer care them due to the economy.

This is a no kill shelter.

The film of the caged animals is as heart wrenching as any Sarah McLaughlin commercial.

All of these animals are nothing more than unconditional love.




This is just one shelter in one city. How many animals are on the streets? Or killed because they overstay their time at the pound?

[paulk]

1. We've got six one month old kitties in our basement

born of an abandoned cat we took in about 2 months ago - so malnourished and thin that we couldn't even tell she was pregnant.

She died today, actually. The pregnancy and it's aftermath were just too much for her.

The kittens are doing fine though.

We already have 3 rescue cats (and one dog) and (along with our new found status as poor people) just can't keep any of them.

If anyone in the Denver area is looking for a new kitty, PM me.

[SheilaT]

2. I used to do volunteer

work at an animal shelter when I lived in a different state. They did their best to do some outreach to schools in the community. I recall one flier that was part of the outreach. It said that the typical American family would need to have in their household something like four cats and seven dogs, or maybe it was three dogs and eight cats -- I forget the exact number of each species -- just to accommodate all the cats and dogs estimated to be in shelters at that time.

Whatever the exact number, and it was definitely above two for each kind, there is no way every family could realistically have that many cats and dogs at any one time.

I have two cats, used to have three, all from shelters or rescue. It does seem as though animals gotten from shelters are aware that they have been given a new chance at life.

[dana_b]

3. we have been looking at shelters here for a dog

to be a companion for our dog and for ourselves. It is so heartbreaking to see so many animals who will never have another home. The other day my daughter actually started shedding some tears over a dog that I know that we couldn't handle (high, high energy and barks a lot) but was a sweet heart also. It was a kill shelter so most dogs don't last but a few days there.

There also seems to be about 1/3 Chihuahuas, 1/3 pits or pit mixes and the rest are other types. Good thing we don't mind pits!

[Sweet Charming Dem]

5. I was reading an article about the Chihuahua problem in CA

Apparently, one town out there is going to start a mandatory spay/neuter program for them because they are so overrun with stray chihuahuas. I've also read that they're now being shipped to the east coast, because there's a lack of small dogs up for adoption out here.

Personally, I love pits.

[glinda]

4. That is why we own 9 rescues at or home.