April 13, 2011

Animal Shelter Kill Lists Save Lives

Some people have told me they have to unsubscribe to our PawsitivelyTexas Facebook page because the urgent lists are just too painful to see. I agree, they are, and I’ve cried so often that the need is so overwhelmingly big. I know you do too. But we also understand that if we all look away, who will help the animals? And that by sharing the lists, we won’t just reach people that work in animal rescue, but hopefully, we share them with our personal network of friends, family, and colleagues,  – and ask them to share with their network – that we just might help a dog or cat find a family that would be perfect for them. And save a life.

LaDonna networks the Carrollton animal services urgent list weekly; this is not a no kill shelter (yet), but they employ many of the no kill initiatives such as great marketing, photos, videos, and publishing their kill list to something like 100 rescue groups each week. They have Joe, a dedicated ACO that works hard, and late on the pre-kill eve to save as many as possible.

Not all animal shelters publish a kill list. Some, because they feel it’s bad PR for the city or shelter. Some, because they don’t want to field the inquiries. Others, because it’s just much easier to follow a barbaric and antiquated catch/hold/kill method of animal control. Without these kill lists, the animals die often, without a name, or any one ever knowing they were in need.

So yes, it’s hard to see and share these lists! Exceptionally hard. Few things in animal rescue are easy; every day brings new challenges. As page admin, I see most of the kill lists –it’s a lot!– and my heart breaks more and more each day. Compassion fatigue is very real; and we must find effective ways to deal with it. But look at LaDonna’s post update from our Facebook page below. This is why we share the urgent kill lists. It’s working. Please share this message with others, especially your friends that say ‘it’s just too hard to see the kill lists’ – the more people we have standing strong for the animals and working together, the more lives we’ll be able to save, the more awareness we’ll be able to create of the wonderful pets in need of adoption, and the fantastic opportunities to volunteer with a local rescue! And a big paw salute to the shelter workers and volunteers that get these lists into circulation! It takes time to do that and they give selflessly to help save lives!

The Army of Compassion, that learns to temper our emotions and keep the focus on helping the animals, vs. how much it hurts us, are saving thousands of lives throughout Texas and across the U.S. Because we don’t look away, animals live and find loving homes. And that is one of the greatest blessings I can ever receive! Is it easy; no. Is it worth it, absolutely!