My Decades Working With Shelter Animals
Damaged goods. That’s how people viewed shelter animals when I began working in animal welfare in 1991. While many in the community supported the work of humane societies, there was a general assumption that animals surrendered to shelters were broken, sick, or dangerous. Thousands of animals were surrendered to Minnesota shelters every month. Nearly half were euthanized because we didn’t have enough resources or room.
Today, adopting a pet from a humane society or rescue organization is a badge of honor. Nine out of ten animals that come into our shelters find loving homes. Organizations like Animal Humane Society worked to shift perceptions of shelter animals and help people better understand the complexity of managing companion animal populations. Over time, incremental progress led to monumental changes.
We began by investing in spaying and neutering pets — first in our shelters, then in our communities — which helped reduce unwanted litters and the number of animals in need of homes. Eventually, we were able to start addressing the challenges and barriers that led people to surrender their beloved pets, including behavior needs, food and housing insecurity, and access to low-cost veterinary care. Today, proactive services help keep animals out of shelters and with the families who love them. These programs reflect one of the biggest changes I’ve observed: the growing recognition that helping people is an essential part of helping animals.
As a result of these efforts, the number of animals surrendered to Animal Humane Society is half what it was three decades ago. We’ve reduced euthanasia in our shelters from 45 percent to just 10 percent today. We have not euthanized a medically and behaviorally healthy animal since 2011.
On December 20, I retired from the Animal Humane Society. Looking back, I am struck by the role pets play in our homes and in our hearts. When I started my career, pets were often relegated to a doghouse or left to roam outdoors. They moved inside, and we gradually made room for them on the couch — then on the bed. Tonight, many of us will happily sleep wherever our pets leave us room. Now that’s progress.
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