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A request
The reason for this blog is to help get specific dogs adopted from TAS but equally important is to try to normalize the idea of shelter dogs being just as good and just as desirable as any other dogs including those which are regularly merchandised by backyard breeders, puppy millers and those few remaining pet store owners who still feel a need to sell live animals. The single greatest stigma shelter animals still face is the belief that shelter animals are substandard animals. Anyone who has had enough experience with shelter animals knows this is untrue but the general public hasn't had the same experiences you've had. They see a nice dog photo in a glossy magazine and too many of them would never think of associating that dog with a dog from a shelter. After all, no one abandons perfectly good dogs, right? Unfortunately, as we all know, perfectly good dogs are abandoned all the time.
The public still too often associates shelter dogs with images of beat up, sick, dirty, severely traumatized animals and while we definitely sometimes see victims such as these, they are certainly not the majority and, regardless, even the most abused animals can very often be saved and made whole again.
Pound Dogs sometimes discusses the sad histories some of the dogs have suffered. For the most part, though, it tries to present the dogs not as victims but as great potential family members. The goal is to raise the profiles of animals in adoption centers so that a potential pet owner sees them as the best choice, not just as the charity choice.
So, here's the favour I'm asking. Whenever you see a dog picture on these pages you think is decent enough, I'd like you to consider sharing it on Facebook or any other social media sites you're using (I know many of you do this already and thank you for that). And when you share it, please mention that the dog in the photo is a shelter dog like so many other shelter dogs waiting for a home. If we can get even five percent of the pet buying public to see shelter dogs differently, to see how beautiful they are and how wonderful they are, and to consider shelter dogs as their first choice for a new family member, we can end the suffering of homeless pets in this country.
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that's horrific! Poor little boy! Will anyone foster him?
this is ALSO a HUGE reason why NOT to privitize TAS. TAS has come so far in the past 10 years with the wonderful new policies they've implemented. A 'for profit' pound would CERTAINTLY euthanize this poor little thing - thus ending what looks like a very rough life with no chance for achieving a much deserved DECENT life.
dear lord.. poor guy. Feel better soon...
Not sure what's going to happen to him re: fostering. His wounds are healing okay so he's not in any critical danger. Hopefully, his spirits will perk up as well.
OH. God. My heart broke at the sight of him. I just want to take him home and love him back to health.
Please keep us posted how he's doing!!!
Although I'm in California, my thoughts are with you and the good fight for the unwanted dogs of Toronto -- and I sincerely hope that TAS will NOT be privatized.
P.S.: Word verification: cowsplat. What this poor dog's previous owners should have happen to them. A cow going SPLAT on them.
Poor little guy. I understand the shivering wasn't from cold, but I still want to wrap him in blankets. (I know not all dogs will put up with that, but my beagle-mutt from the KW humane society seems to love being wrapped in blankets.)
Now would the OSPCA have treated him, or deemed it more "humane" to euthanize him? Lucky him to end up at Toronto Animal Services. Hope he finds the perfect home real soon.
I am already envisioning your post in some future month, where we learn of his wonderful new home where he is cherished. May your fur, your spirit and your hope return soon, beautiful little one.
Lynn, I really hope so.
Fred, can you keep us updated on this guy. I have NOT been able to get him out of my mind.
selkie, I'll be hopefully seeing him this weekend, maybe get some new photos of him.