Feel good Christmas story

[Platapus]

For the first time in nearly 50 years, a Pennsylvania animal shelter doesn’t have any dogs left after hundreds of adoptions

https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/25/us/pe...pty/index.html

Just two weeks ago, the Adams County, Pennsylvania, SPCA was near capacity as its kennels were filled with dogs needing homes. Now, for the first time in nearly 50 years, there are no dogs at the facility and the recent residents are spending the holidays with their new families.

“To say that we are beyond excited is an understatement! The staff and volunteers have worked VERY hard to take care of the animals in our care and to make sure they got adopted to the right home!” the animal shelter said in a post on Facebook Friday. “This is the first time in 47 YEARS that the Adams County SPCA is empty let alone at Christmas time, it is a true miracle!”

There was one cat taking refuge at the facility, the shelter said – a stray arriving just before the announcement.

The facility in southern Pennsylvania said it adopted out 598 animals this year and reunited 125 strays with their owners.

Nationwide, an estimated 6.3 million companion animals enter shelters every year, according to the ASPCA. Of those, about 3.1 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats.

About 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized yearly, the ASPCA said, a decrease from the estimated 2.6 million cats and dogs euthanized in shelters in 2011.

“This decline can be partially explained by an increase in the percentage of animals adopted and an increase in the number of stray animals successfully returned to their owners,” the ASPCA said.

The Adams County shelter said it would begin taking in animals from other Pennsylvania shelters this week to help alleviate some of their stress. “Right now, we are going to enjoy this accomplishment! Merry Christmas!”

[iambecomelife]

Very nice; I prefer it when people adopt instead of paying lots of cash for purebred animals. For instance, when "101 Dalmatians" came out a lot of thoughtless people rushed out to buy dalmatians - and then gave them up when their kids got bored.

Not a dog, but my "Nephew" Henry is a non-purebred rescue who was brought to a shelter as a feral - he has been a great pet! My sister's other cats are "kept in line" by him - tough guy! lol.

[Commander Wallace]

Great story.
We ended up adopting a six month old kitten a month ago after she and her sibling were left in a box by the river. A woman we are friends with and her husband found them and took care of and fostered them. Eventually, the husband's sister took the one while we took the other. They took them to the Vet and they had their shots and checkup. We insisted they let us cover the cost of the vet care but they refused and I threatened not to take her unless they let us pay her vet costs. They stubbornly and grudgingly let us pay half.


My lady wanted her and that was good enough for me. We lost two cats who were themselves shelter Cats in the span of 4 months to Cancer. It was hard on the both of us and still is. Eventually, we will add a dog to the mix. It will just be a shelter dog. In my experience, they make the best and most loyal dogs / pets. I love all of their distinctive personalities.

[Platapus]

"Opt to Adopt"

[Jimbuna]

My eternal admiration for anyone who adopts from a shelter.

Back in the day my patrol area had an animal shelter within its boundary and if on duty I would often get the awful task of picking up abondons and strays etc. taking them to the shelter and believe you me that was one of the ****tiest aspects of the job,

[bweiss]

Originally Posted by Platapus

"Opt to Adopt"

Our two rescue kitties give this a round appaws.

The local shelter here does not euthanize. They have completely remodeled the shelter with cat and dog play rooms
where one can visit, sit, and play with those potential pets they may be considering adopting.

Eight years ago, we adopted two male orange flame point kitties, Siamese-Tabby mixes. They look like brothers
but are estimated to be six months to a year apart. Their a handful, but they have enriched our lives beyond measure.


Sorry, if a bit off topic but adoption of those in need of a forever home is the best gift anyone can give.

[mapuc]

It is also a responsibility for the giver-Does s/he know if the person they want to give a cat or a dog the knowledge that these animals are a lifetime investment.

It is popular to give cat or dogs in Christmas gift but some month later some people send they gift back to these shelter

Markus

[bweiss]

Originally Posted by mapuc

It is also a responsibility for the giver-Does s/he know if the person they want to give a cat or a dog the knowledge that these animals are a lifetime investment.

It is popular to give cat or dogs in Christmas gift but some month later some people send they gift back to these shelter

Markus

Yes that's very sad and heartbreaking to the animal. Our two boys are with us until the end.

[Commander Wallace]

Originally Posted by bweiss

Our two rescue kitties give this a round appaws.

The local shelter here does not euthanize. They have completely remodeled the shelter with cat and dog play rooms
where one can visit, sit, and play with those potential pets they may be considering adopting.

Eight years ago, we adopted two male orange flame point kitties, Siamese-Tabby mixes. They look like brothers
but are estimated to be six months to a year apart. Their a handful, but they have enriched our lives beyond measure.


Sorry, if a bit off topic but adoption of those in need of a forever home is the best gift anyone can give.

Why would you think your post is " a bit off topic." Shelter animals can always use a voice and an advocate to speak for them. Thanks for doing that. We have three cats now with two of them at like 12 years old and a brother and sister. The new one is like 6 months old or so.

I think if and when we get a dog, I will get an older dog that has been at a shelter for a while and that no one wants or will give a chance. Everyone wants puppies so they tend to go fast. We are holding off on the dog for now until at least one of us is home more. We let the animals pick us, not the other way around.

[bweiss]

Originally Posted by Commander Wallace

Why would you think your post is " a bit off topic." Shelter animals can always use a voice and an advocate to speak for them. Thanks for doing that. We have three cats now with two of them at like 12 years old and a brother and sister. The new one is like 6 months old or so.

I think if and when we get a dog, I will get an older dog that has been at a shelter for a while and that no one wants or will give a chance. Everyone wants puppies so they tend to go fast. We are holding off on the dog for now until at least one of us is home more.

Ha! Wow what a brood.

My son just moved from CA, to TX, and has two dogs and three cats. I have no idea how they get the time to take care of all of them, move and resettle. But they are all rescues as well.

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Commander Wallace

We let the animals pick us, not the other way around.

This is the correct way to adopt an animal. Let the dog or cat come to you.

Except when you have decided to adopt an animal who has been at the shelter for a long time.

Markus

[Commander Wallace]

Originally Posted by bweiss

Ha! Wow what a brood.


My son has two dogs and three cats. I have no idea how they get the time to take care of all of them. They are all rescues.

You're telling me.

Then again, I was always a glutton for punishment. Honestly, It's like dealing with a bunch of two year olds. As you said, they enrich our lives, immeasurably. I can't picture not having them or the other animals we have had. Years ago, My Mum had a Seal Point Siamese cat and a poodle and they were partners in crime. The Cat would get up and knock left overs from dinner onto the floor for the dog and get some for himself. We watched the cat do that a few times.

Criminals.

[bweiss]

Originally Posted by Commander Wallace

You're telling me.

Then again, I was always a glutton for punishment. Honestly, It's like dealing with a bunch of two year olds. As you said, they enrich our lives, immeasurably. I can't picture not having them or the other animals we have had. Years ago, My Mum had a Seal Point Siamese cat and a poodle and they were partners in crime. The Cat would get up and knock left overs from dinner onto the floor for the dog and get some for himself. We watched the cat do that a few times.

Criminals.

Yes, similar events take place with these two. If we ask "who did that?", they look to each other. It's hilarious. They keep us in stitches like a comedy show.

[Commander Wallace]

Originally Posted by mapuc

This is the correct way to adopt an animal. Let the dog or cat come to you.

Except when you have decided to adopt an animal who has been at the shelter for a long time.

Markus

I agree, Markus. With a long time shelter Cat or Dog, I have gone into the " meet and greet " room and sat on the floor and talked to them so they could get to know me. It may take a few visits like that, depending on the circumstances that put the animals in the shelter in the first place. Sadly, some of these unfortunate animals have been badly abused.

This way, when you finally take them home, you already have a familiarity and trust established with the shelter animal. They all need time and patience.

[mapuc]

Yesterday when I was reading the latest comment in this thread I heard from my tv. The number of abandon animals have set a new record.

WHY!? Why does people do these things ? If they can't get rid of their animals for whatever reason it may be, it would be better to put them to eternal sleep.

Markus