When some people hear the word 'California', they might think of sunny beaches, majestic mountains, groves of fruit trees, lush wine country vineyards, redwood forests, the very soul of Woody Guthrie’s classic ‘This Land is Your Land.’ They don’t think of the millions of dogs and cats sitting in shelters waiting to die because nobody wants them anymore.
Very few rescues are happening at the Lancaster shelter, the “fifth-largest city in Los Angeles County” according to Wikiipedia.org. An estimated “500,000 pets are euthanized in California shelters each year,” from a report published by Social Compassion in Legislation, half a million animals!
Today, even more innocent animals will lose their lives in California shelters and others across the United States. Luckily, SB917, signed by Governor Jerry Brown, prohibits the roadside sale of animals. This will make a difference in the future, but the current situation remains epidemic.
By searching Pet Harbor, 200 dogs are currently at the Lancaster Shelter.
Kim, a dedicated animal lover has put together a valiant effort. She posts photographs of the ‘Desperate Faces of Lancaster Shelter’ on a Facebook Page.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1954316704594.116080.1442970400&type=1
There are purebreds, small dogs, puppies, family pets relinquished by oh so many owners and yes, pit bulls. There are Golden Retrievers, Chihuahuas and corgis, poodles and dachshunds, huskies, aussies and German shepherds; just about any breed which can be found in at the pet store or breeders. The difference? These dogs will all probably die.
How anyone can look at those sad and desperate eyes and call himself a ‘responsible breeder’ is a big, fat mystery.
Scrappy, Weda and all the other nameless ones are waiting at Lancaster for that adopter who will probably never arrive. Their time is short. The clock is ticking.
Lancaster Animal Shelter
5210 W. Ave. I, Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 940-4191
Monday Thursday: 12:00 PM 7:00 PM
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10:00 AM 5:00 PM
Closed Holidays. http://animalcare.lacounty.gov
Please send all pit bull stories and tips to doggirl1@earthlink.net
Join National Examiner's American Pit Bull on Facebook
Check out Pit Bulls and Other Animals blog.
Author - Pit Bull Nation
Pit Bull Nation is a tell all book about rescuing pit bulls from death row for over twelve years.
Now available in e-book and print
Comments