So I was feeling healthy enough to attend a Humane Society volunteer orientation.
I wasn't so sure I could do it, even before I went. I've been to shelters before and I love all the doggies and kitties and want to bring them all home with me, even the growly ones. Especially the growly ones. But I know that's not possible. Not only would the shelter not let me do that, but I wouldn't be able to care for them all and I would end up hating each of them.
So anyway I thought maybe I'd walk doggies for them or foster kitties or something.
Well turns out this center is a kill center. They do euthanize. I've always supported euthanasia. Not cause I think it's a fantastic idea, but because I understand that some creatures are in pain and the only way to end it is to die. I also understand that some creatures are so emotionally broken by their previous owners that they are unadoptable and have to be put down (course I always think those owners should be put down instead and let the animals live in their houses). I've even met animals before that I thought should be put down.
But part of this orientation was watching animals be put down. They euthanized 3 doggies and one kitty. It was so awful. You could tell it was awful for the clinicians, too. They held the animals in their arms and cried as they administered the dose, and then the animal died in their arms and they laid the limp body down.
My head still hurts from crying.
Part of me wants to help this particular shelter...the more help they get the fewer animals they have to put down. Part of me feels pressured into helping because now I feel like I HAVE to save these creatures and since I don't like feeling pressured I want to protest by walking away.
Anyway I've made a Tuesday appointment to meet w/them and sign up for volunteer training. I figure this gives me 2 whole days to think on this. Decide if I want to help at all anymore. And if I do, will I help this shelter or a no kill shelter? Will I study animal instead of human medicine and make euthanasia unnecessary? Will I learn how to build bombs out of toilet paper rolls and facial soap and go on a killing spree?
I wasn't so sure I could do it, even before I went. I've been to shelters before and I love all the doggies and kitties and want to bring them all home with me, even the growly ones. Especially the growly ones. But I know that's not possible. Not only would the shelter not let me do that, but I wouldn't be able to care for them all and I would end up hating each of them.
So anyway I thought maybe I'd walk doggies for them or foster kitties or something.
Well turns out this center is a kill center. They do euthanize. I've always supported euthanasia. Not cause I think it's a fantastic idea, but because I understand that some creatures are in pain and the only way to end it is to die. I also understand that some creatures are so emotionally broken by their previous owners that they are unadoptable and have to be put down (course I always think those owners should be put down instead and let the animals live in their houses). I've even met animals before that I thought should be put down.
But part of this orientation was watching animals be put down. They euthanized 3 doggies and one kitty. It was so awful. You could tell it was awful for the clinicians, too. They held the animals in their arms and cried as they administered the dose, and then the animal died in their arms and they laid the limp body down.
My head still hurts from crying.
Part of me wants to help this particular shelter...the more help they get the fewer animals they have to put down. Part of me feels pressured into helping because now I feel like I HAVE to save these creatures and since I don't like feeling pressured I want to protest by walking away.
Anyway I've made a Tuesday appointment to meet w/them and sign up for volunteer training. I figure this gives me 2 whole days to think on this. Decide if I want to help at all anymore. And if I do, will I help this shelter or a no kill shelter? Will I study animal instead of human medicine and make euthanasia unnecessary? Will I learn how to build bombs out of toilet paper rolls and facial soap and go on a killing spree?