Ethics in Animal Rescue

Published 08/11/2024 in personal blog, The Grey Zone

When I first started working for a rescue organization, I was reminded that it was and needed to be run like a business and that it was critical to keep emotion out of the work. While I fully agree that any successful nonprofit that works with or for animals needs a business plan and folks who can implement it, I believe that deliberately setting aside emotion in that work can be detrimental to others working there, as well as the lives of the animals. I also have seen that those involved in rescue rely heavily on emotion to get you to adopt. Unfortunately, it only works to a degree. And in many cases, it backfires. I currently volunteer for a large foster-based nonprofit that takes in dogs and cats. Everyone in the organization is a volunteer, and we depend solely on donations to stay afloat. We provide fosters all they need to take care of those they take in, pay for all the necessary medical care, do at-least-weekly adoption events, and do all we can to make sure animals find their best, most loving homes. I joined this organization because I believe in what they do. Everyone I've met is 1000% dedicated to making sure as many dogs and cats that can be helped are. (I also joined because I thought they were no-kill. I found out they are not, and I'm re-evaluating my work there. That, though, is a subject of its own for another writing.)What I'm finding out is that we--along with most other rescues and shelters--are only slapping a Band-Aid® on a much, much larger problem that is mostly not being addressed. These are some examples--by far not an exhaustive list:

1. We pull animals off the euthanasia list to save them from an unnecessary death. It's noble, and it does save that one life. But in fact, when one animal is pulled, a space is simply opened up for the next.
2. We take in scores of kittens and puppies, many who are surrendered or dumped after a resident cat or dog gives birth. We do an amazing job raising these babies, and most end up in loving homes. But again, it's just a patch. People will continue to refuse to spay their animals, cats and dogs will continue to mate and give birth, and the cycle will forever continue.
3. We have in our contract that we will take back any animal that an adopter can no longer care for or that does not fit. It's really a great policy; so many adopters apparently see their animals as a convenience. Aside from what I see as legitimate reasons (death of the adopter, for example), people return their cats and dogs because their kittens are too playful (really), someone in the family has developed allergies, there is a new baby in the family, the adopter is moving, and so on. Many times, rehoming is the first and only consideration given. Animal companions are not seen as family by most, and so are not treated as such. Being able to return the animal to the rescue prevents the adopter (one would hope) from abusing, abandoning, or killing her/him. My own cat was left behind/abandoned by a previous adopter. If they had been able to return to the shelter, they may not have abandoned her. But returning or rehoming a senior cat that has been in the home for years because the grandkids have allergies? It's grossly irresponsible at best.
4. We rely on guilt to get people to adopt. This ties in with #3 in that people will often adopt after being told the animal will die if someone doesn't take him or that we desperately need someone to adopt to make room for more. While that may be true, it also may cause someone who is not suitable or ready to adopt out of guilt.
5. Shelters aren't often either not open except by appointment or aren't open during the hours when people can visit.

Our rescue--and many others--are striving to do the very best we can, given our limited resources. Many rescues like ours are fully volunteer-run. We rely solely on donations from individuals, corporations, and fundraisers to support our fosters and the animals under their care. We provide food, medical care, (traditional) training, and the security of a loving home until adoption. It's a tough job; work that serves to protect the vulnerable from the dregs of society always is. The traditional ways of serving animals in need, though, are inadequate. And to those who respond with "but it's hard, and we're doing the very best we can," I would counter with: Yes. It's very hard. But we are in no way doing our best. There is no doubt that we are saving and creating better lives for individual animals. But in my mind, that is not enough. The problems creating the crisis are not being addressed. Not because they can't be, but because "that's just not the way rescue is done. "What are the problems? I mentioned a few above, but let me repeat and add a few more:

1. Breeders. There is NO reason people should be breeding animals when there are millions killed every year for lack of a home.
2. BSL. Breed-specific legislation is not evidence based, and it prevents a large percentage of loving dogs in shelters from being adopted.
3. Traditional training. Currently most of our training is punishment based. A dog barks, we squirt him with water from a water bottle. What that actually does is raise his fear level; it simply makes him afraid of something other than people. But because fear-based training is what many trainers are providing, it's what we go with. No one seems willing to branch out to other resources.
4. Euthanization and claiming an animal is "unadoptable." It's become a convenience. Have a dog with an alleged aggression problem? Euthanize him. It's "kinder." (Bullshit, btw. Would you say the same about a child that is aggressive or  not able to take care of himself? I'll also add that it completely throws out the idea of consent.) Too many animals needing to come into the shelter and you have no room. Euthanize a few. "We have no other choice." (More bullshit than I care to step in. That is the biggest lie and cop-out I have EVER heard.) 
5. Reliance on how things "have always been done." It is past time for us to look at new ways to help our fellow animals.

Shelter and rescues need to be ACTIVELY involved in:

1. Fighting BSL in their local regions
2. Helping develop laws that will curtail breeding--esp. bad breeding-practices
3. Stopping the practice of euthanasia, except in the case of suffering that cannot be alleviated. See https://nokilladvocacycenter.org/no-kill
4. Adding alternative training and care to their offerings (training that considers the animal's needs over the shelter's, energy work, massage, etc.). 
5. Fighting animal restrictions in housing

I can hear the arguments already: we just don't have the staff, we just can't afford to branch out, you have no idea what you're talking about because you just don't get it. 

What I do know is that there are plenty of folks who, for whatever reason, can't work directly with animals but have the expertise and interest to help in other areas. 

What I do know is that there are scores of people who would love to donate their time and provide massage, energy work, and just presence with those "unadoptable" animals. 

They can't help if they are not asked, though. They can't help if the shelter or rescue is stuck in the mindset that "this is just the way it's done." 

The deaths of millions signify a FAILURE on the part of every one of us. What are you going to do to turn that failure into a success?

*I am currently taking a much-needed break from social media. If you read this far and believe in what I've written here, PLEASE share!