Post pandemic rescue observations

Across the country, the coronavirus has forced many animal shelters into crisis mode. Above, a dogs at the Humane Society of Harlingen, Texas which has since found a home.

Sara Cano/Humane Society of Harlingen, Texas

During the pandemic, many, many people who had never participated in animal rescue or adoption began to evaluate what a pet might bring in to their lives while they were unable to leave their homes to go to school or work. Shelters took advantage of this, and promoted fostering or adopting because people were not visiting shelters due to the lockdown. I observed many local shelters become less crowded so staff were able to continue to care for the animals who had not been placed in a home. Fast forward to a little over four years later, and we find the reverse to be true.
Many people are now dumping animals back on the shelters due to the same reasons they were dumping animals at the shelters before the pandemic, only in higher numbers. The same old tired excuses are being used if they use any excuse at all: we are moving, we are allergic, we cannot afford a vet, we don't want to leave them alone for 4 or 8 or 12 hours a day. They deserve better. You think up an excuse and it has been used before. Unfortunately, they don't seem to understand, or perhaps they do and simply do not care, that in a kennel, despite the fact there are people around, they are still alone.
I have reached the age where I cannot handle two dogs. I knew when my last pair died, I would become a one dog household and have had one dog continually for the past 18 months, both shelter dogs, both with issues, both had a piece of my heart. Gideon died after only 5 months but he was the big headed lug, who simply adored me and I gave him the best life I could for the 5 months he lived here. He died loved and cherished and not on a cold cement floor at the shelter, which is where many animals end up, through no fault of their own. It seems, especially in the past year, the shelters have had revolving doors and despite the fact that people are adopting, many others are dumping, adopting and returning, allowing litters after litters to be born because they say they cannot afford to spay or neuter. The list is endless.
We rescuers are getting older, many of us in our 60s and 70s and simply cannot continue to pull the load we have been pulling for the last few years. We need younger, more energetic animal lovers to step up and fill our shoes. It is hard to get people to listen to you. It is hard to get animals adjusted to a home when your energy level is half what it is for a 30 year old. Florida is in crisis mode. All shelters are begging for volunteers. If you don't want to walk dogs, play with the kitties. Give them some love. Do laundry; there is always a ton a any shelter. Give 2 hours a week or 10, it is all appreciated. Please contact your local shelter or rescue and see how you can help. If we pulled together during the pandemic, we shouldn't let that progress disintegrate now.