Types
of Shelters: Animal control agency:
Animal control agencies, also known as municipal
shelters (or "dog pounds"), are
usually nonprofit organizations that are contracted
by cities to enforce animal-related ordinances,
and to provide animal related services. In
addition to housing animals many animal shelters
also provide education services for pet owners/adopters,
low-cost spaying and neutering surgeries,
vaccinations, veterinary care, behavior training
or resources, and "safe havens"
for animals of abused spouses.
No-kill shelter:
Some shelters have taken on a "No-kill"
policy, and will support the "healthy"
and "adoptable" animals; for the
remainder of its life, or until it is adopted.
Due to limited funding, the number of animals
that can be accepted by these organizations
is often quite limited. Many are referred
to local humane societies or rescues, if available.
Some animals may not be accepted because of
behavior or health concerns that make adoption
unlikely, or may be euthanized if a sufficiently
serious medical condition emerges. Many believe
no-kills accept any and all types of pets,
but many are refused due to lack of space
or their unadoptability status.
Animal sanctuary:
Animal sanctuaries will look after animals
for the rest of their natural life, without
necessarily attempting to find them any other
home. Many of these establishments will take
in animals that are not adoptable, such as
Feral animals (unsocialized cats), abused
pets requiring special/unique care, or animals
with medical/behavioral concerns that make
adoption of pet difficult and possibly unrealistic.
Rescue organization:
Animal Rescue Organizations are not animal
shelters, but share the same goal as animal
shelters in placing homeless pets with adoptive
families. Animal shelters are characterized
as having a physical location dedicated to
housing and caring for many different types
of animals, whereas most rescue groups work
with one specific breed or type of animal
and have volunteers who keep the animals in
their homes until adoption, also known as
foster care. Rescue groups often obtain animals
from local animal shelters, with the larger
of these groups often transporting animals
from locations that have a high number of
homeless animals to locations where animals
are more in demand. Rescue groups are often
tied to national breed clubs for a given type
of animal. |
