His eye’s were a deep, dark brown that peered through the cell. They widened as I approached, the brown becoming even more apparent juxtaposed against his pale visage. I didn’t ask him why he was in this place, because they all say the same thing-nothing.
The Butte County Human Society (BCHS) is full of animals like this. His name was Charles, a beautiful English Bulldog. Working on a limited budget, the BCHS are doing the best they can for animals like Charles.
The shelter is a harsh reality. A sharp, pungent smell strikes the moment that you approach the area. Barking and meowing echo’s across the premises, all hopeful’s waiting to be bailed out. It’s hard to tour the area, but it’s a necessary task, in my opinion. After all, it is our irresponsibility that perpetuated their existence. It’s our irresponsibility that put them in this shelter.
My blood silently boiled as I toured the area, viewing the animals all hoping for good homes. I couldn’t imagine the horror that they have lived through (abuse, starvation, neglect). True enough, some are surrenders, or animals that people could no longer have. This to is unfortunate, but at least people took them to the right place. Dropping them off somewhere is a much more common and disgusting trend.
After finishing my walk around, I went home to do more research. A simple Yahoo or Google search filled me in, giving me much more than I was hoping for.
Of the countless website, the one that struck me the most was the LA Boxer Rescue. www.boxer-rescue-la.com. Among the many heartbreaking stories are that of Faith and Joe. Essentially, these poor dogs were left behind after their family moved due to foreclosure. Instead of taking them with them, or if that wasn’t possible then giving them up, they decided to leave them for dead. Disgusting. Here is a link to Faith and Joe’s story http://www.boxer-rescue-la.com/oscar.html .
It’s sad that people can honestly turn their backs on something that they introduced into their own lives. When you adopt a pet, you are taking responsibility to have it to it’s end, or at least find it a true home if something happens where you can’t care for it.
I myself want to adopt, which is why I visited the shelter. Currently, I am holding off until a month from now when the lease will be up on my apartment. If I can find a house to rent with a yard, I will adopt a dog. I don’t want to merely adopt one for the sake of it-I want to make sure that it will have everything it deserves.
Many people may be stuck with the same dilemma that I have-not being able to adopt just yet or even many months or years from now. The obvious answer is that you can donate. The BCHS has many needs and donations are greatly appreciated. They even have different funds so you can directly help a certain area of their program.
However, if you don’t have a lot of spare cash, you can still help. There is always a need for volunteers and I’m sure there are supplies (food, straw, bedding) that the shelter needs. Simply giving time or old blankets can make a difference for an animal. I myself am working on having a cash donation box put at the counter of my work, and I also couldn’t help but donate when I was at the shelter.
If anything, though, I beg people to treat the animals they have better. Also, if you know a family member or a friend who isn’t treating an animal adequately, intervene. Correct the problem. Do something so the animal, which has no way of speaking, can speak up. Give voice to these voiceless and defenseless creatures.
It used to be said that the mark of how refined a society is how they treat their women. Now I think it’s how they treat animals. As it stands now, I’d say we’re pretty damn unrefined.
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Poignant indeed.