Despite being under contract with Muskegon County’s Animal Control Department, a contract which requires them to accept every animal brought to it by animal control officers, Pound Buddies is making 2013 a banner year for adoptions.
Through the diligent efforts of their team of committed staff and volunteers, Pound Buddies has found homes for nearly 100 dogs in the first two months of this year, and the pace shows no sign of letting up. This is nearly a fifty-percent increase in adoptions compared to the same period in 2012.
Because Pound Buddies is an open-admission facility, meaning they cannot refuse any animal regardless of breed, disposition or health, this statistic is even more impressive. Every conceivable breed and breed combination finds its way to Pound Buddies. Old dogs, puppies, owner surrenders, strays and court-ordered seizures find their way there, including many pit bull terriers.
There are a lot of pitties in Muskegon County and most of the homeless ones end up at Pound Buddies. But, through educating interested adopters about the breed and dispelling the myths by showcasing pit bulls at adoption events, many more of these noble, loyal and lovable animals are finding good homes.
But, here’s the rest of the story and the part that is even more heart-warming. Because of the current pace of adoptions, Pound Buddies’ has drastically reduced the number of animals that have been put down due to lack of space. In fact, if the current trend continues, euthanizing healthy, adoptable dogs could become a thing of the past.
That deserves a big Shout Out of appreciation for their effort and success.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without a community awakening to the idea that adoption is the best option for finding a family pet. More and more people are rejecting the notion that there is something wrong with a shelter animal. More and more people are rejecting the idea that an animal which is scared, confused and withdrawn, because of being in the shelter environment, doesn’t have the capacity to be a loyal, devoted companion. More and more people understand that spaying/neutering their pets and fulfilling a lifelong commitment to the animal is the foundation of responsible pet ownership.
More and more people are drawn to the idea that shelter animals need and deserve love, too.
Thank you, Pound Buddies. And, Thank You people of the lakeshore communities for opening your hearts and your homes and helping make this area a safer haven for those animals that only want a second chance at life.
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