Why Do Animals Die In Shelters

Animals die in shelters every day. There are approximately 7.5 million animals added to shelters each year and of those, 2.5 million are euthanized. Society needs to be aware that fostering is a vital part of animal rescue. Each time an animal is featured on social media, people respond from all over the country to adopt it. For that one animal, the outlook is fantastic; however, for those left behind the outlook is much bleaker. If all of the potential adopters for that one animal fostered or adopted another, think of the changes we could make! The main reasons fostering is necessary socialization, behavioral issues, sickness, and to prevent overcrowding of shelters. I currently own six dogs. Of those six, five were originally fosters and one was adopted. I have been involved in animal rescue for over ten years and each case has been unique and rewarding in its own way. My focus is Boston terriers, but I will take any animal that needs my help. The animals that I keep are considered “unadoptable” by shelter policy. They have issues
Most shelters are filled to capacity and cannot accept new animals or rotate them quickly. To make room for new intakes, older cases need to be euthanized. Sometimes, this happens in a matter of days. Consider that just one hoarding case can bring in an excess of 50 animals. For smaller shelters, that may be the maximum amount they can hold at one time. While rescues, other shelters, and adopters take in some of these animals, many are left to die. Lana was taken back to the shelter by her new family. She immediately shut down and would not come out of the corner. The humane society determined that she needed to be in a foster home and they were correct. The transformation was instant. She went back to being a sweet and wonderful dog and has since been adopted. Available foster homes could help take in the overpopulation temporarily until new arrangements can be made; thus saving