Shelters contribute to the euthanasia problem. First, they protect owners from the unpleasantness of abandoning their animals by avoiding discussion of the likelihood their animal will be destroyed.

Second, they do not expose owners to the conditions where the animal will be kept. Third, they provide a quick and easy "drop off" procedure that avoids potentially embarrassing questions.

Lastly, they assume the responsibility of being the pet's new owner when they themselves are unprepared to deal with the number of animals being relinquished to them. In short, shelters play the role of a socially-sanctioned place where owners can simply fill out a form, abandon their pet to be euthanized, and, now free of their inconvenience, go on about their day.

Shelters provide the opportunity for uncommitted pet owners to abandon pets and, rather than assume responsibility for the pets' life, they euthanize them. Shelters should refrain from protecting owners from the harsh consequences of their decision to abandon their pet and they should not take on an animal for which they cannot provide.

Improving Shelters

It is well-known that inadequate housing can lead to behavioral problems in dogs and cats. Short-term and long-term confinement may impair an animal's welfare in a variety of ways. Adding to the animals' stress, is their almost immediate confinement inside a barren kennel with restricted space and limited visual stimuli. The result is an almost spontaneous reduction in the animals' welfare.

Kennels are necessarily constructed to minimize the spread of disease in a shelter's communal environment. Unfortunately, barren housing has a negative impact on an animal and can result in a suppressed immune system and an increased susceptibility to disease. As with humans, social, emotional and psychological stress impedes the immune system's ability to combat illness. Furthermore, shelter animals that experience acute stress are at risk of developing undesirable behaviors that severely impede their ability to attract a new owner.

One stressor for dogs is loud noise. Prolonged exposure to sound pressure over ninety decibels may damage a dog's acute hearing. The production of excessive or unnecessary noise should be minimized for the welfare of the animals. Similarly, barrier-related barking and aggression are common behaviors dogs develop while kenneled. Likewise, cats respond to poor housing conditions by becoming inactive and inhibiting normal behaviors such as grooming, exploring and playing, which has a negative impact on their perception by potential adopters.

SAFE is investigating successful kennel environments that reduce the likelihood of illness and frustration-based behaviors, which contribute to the euthanasia problem.