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ESSENTIAL DESTINATIONS

MONTH: January/February 2007

Closing stray kennels to the general public reduces adoptions, increases killing

 

by Bill Meade, founder, Shelter Planners of America

 

It is common for some shelters to maintain stray kennels which the public are not allowed to enter, unless they say they have lost a specific type of animal.

This is done because of concern that people may claim animals who are not theirs; because the staff may be burdened with having to explain that certain animals are not ready for adoption; because explaining why an animal must be euthanized may be awkward; to protect the public from bites; and to reduce the spread of disease by keeping people from touching animals.

However, when an animal shelter prevents stray animals from being seen--and touched--by the public, the shelter reduces the number of interactions that may lead to the animals being adopted. Failing to give each animal maximum exposure to the adopting public can lead to avoidable killing.

Often, when members of the public look at stray animals, they identify the missing pets of neighbors or friends, and are able to effect a reunion. Eliminating that possibility also may lead to avoidable killing.

Sometimes a person seeking a lost animal will enter a shelter and, without stopping at the front desk, walk through the accessible kennels, unaware that the strays are isolated out of view. These people leave, mistakenly thinking their animals are not in the shelter. Again, animals may be killed as a result.

What shelter animals need most, and the public wants most, is the opportunity to interact, so that visitors can fall in love with a new pet. The animals benefit from receiving attention, kind words, and a caring touch.

Pet stores that isolate dogs and cats behind glass often have depressed animals who lie in a cage corner, not even responding to taps on the glass. Shelters that isolate animals behind glass may see the same response, or worse, the animals may become aggressive and bark viciously at those walking by.

Of course no animal should be returned to a claimant without proof of possession being provided in the form of a license, veterinary confirmation or treatment records, photographs, or a bill of sale. In addition, shelter staff can observe how the animal responds to the claimant. Usually a dog will go ballistic upon finally seeing the dog's family. Cats will purr.

If necessary, a shelter can require a claimant to obtain a notarized statement, signed by two witnesses, stating that they have knowledge that the animal belongs to the claimant.

If an animal must be euthanized for health or behavioral reasons, instead of being made available for adoption, the public should be told the truth.

Animals who are frightened or aggressive should be placed in isolation kennels, where the public can see and identify them through windows, but where the animals cannot harm anyone. Friendly animals rarely bite shelter visitors. Competent staff can usually tell as soon as an animal arrives if the animal is friendly, frightened, or aggressive. This does not require immediate temperament testing to assess.

The major causes of disease in shelters are poor air quality, lack of daily sanitation, and poor animal health care, including lack of daily observation. Keeping the public from touching an animal does not solve the problem of disease transfer, because the staff is constantly handling animals during cleaning and feeding.

 

Editor's note:
Dogs housed behind glass usually bark and lunge at visitors far less than those who are conventionally caged. Glass kennel fronts are rapidly supplanting conventional caging largely because they help to reduce noise, helping to lower stress for dogs, visitors, and shelter staff. However, no form of housing substitutes for proper socialization and exercise. Bored and isolated dogs tend to be unhappy dogs, in any environment.