Animal Welfare Professionals

What are some of the most common stigmas faced by shelters and rescue organizations today?

That if we are unable to help out with any given situation immediately it's because we simply don't want, and not that we lack resources/time/funding/etc.

• If you take a dog to the shelter it will be euthanized
• All of the animals in the county shelter have behavior problems, are broken, suffering and shut down
• the shelter is the worst place for an animal to go because they will be mistreated, neglected, euthanized etc.
• The average person cannot volunteer because it is too sad at the shelter
• Pitbulls are dangerous
• If the individual cannot see the animal receiving care, then the animal is being neglected
• Returning or surrendering a pet makes you a failure and a bad pet owner
• Neutering your male dog makes him less of a "man" 

Why does it cost more to adopt from a shelter than the city pound?

In addition to the usual "the only dogs at shelters and in rescues are pits or pit mixes" there is also the stigma that they are all damaged.  And another issue we as a private rescue seem to be facing is the belief that we are run by wealthy people (WRONG) or get a ton of donations or grant money or even taxpayer money. Nope nope nope. 

That we (a private cat rescue) have an obligation to accept any cat that the owner no longer wants, at any time, regardless of whether we have a cage or foster home available for it.  Not only that, but some people seem to feel we should be grateful to them for "donating" their unwanted cats to us, like otherwise we might run out of cats.  If only.

If we work in a municipal shelter we must enjoy euthanizing animals and being called things like "cat murderer". We should have purebred animals as anything else is sub par. As a municipal open admission shelter we are all horrible human beings when we have to many animals brought to us and have to euthanize for space and that we don't care. 

Our animals are damaged and it's better to buy from a breeder

OR

Our animals should be perfect because they have been fostered, they will require no time to adjust to their new homes.

OR

We as rescue volunteers are available, naturally, 24-7 to deal with any issues the public may experience with their own pet, a neighbor's pet, wildlife, or anything else.

AND

We as rescue volunteers are available as well to answer your emails and phone calls in a very quick turnaround (because we don't work and have no pets of our own or fosters).  We already have the perfect dog or cat for you and you're the only one interested in it and of course we can meet you tonight for a meet and greet without you filling out an application first.

OR

We are happy to take back an animal we adopted out to you 10+ years ago as a puppy or kitten.  After all, we cared for it for about 3 weeks and you had it for 12 years; naturally we are the responsible party and it's only right that you threaten us with legal action or tell us that we're responsible for you putting your pet down now.

I don't want to sound this bitter!  It is not all the time that these things happen, but when they do, it's like, REALLY?