Why buy when you can adopt?

 

Adopting a rescue pet can be difficult, especially one the previous owners neglected. The work can be hard, but the results are rewarding.

The Windsor and Essex County Humane Society is currently a home for around 500 animals. Out of the 500, approximately 12 per cent are dogs, the eldest being 11 years old and the youngest being under a month. In 2018 the WECHS helped a total of 11,685 animals with healthcare, vaccinations and by showing them love they desperately needed. Of these animals, 5975 were admissions and 6014 left the shelter.

Amanda Dawson, manager of the shelter’s operations joined the Humane Society because of her love and passion for animals. Dawson said most of the animals brought into the shelter and adopted out are cats. In 2018 there were 2,148 cats adopted from WECHS.

Some of the animals brought to the centre are animals who have been victims of abuse, but Dawson said when it comes to animals it is difficult to tell whether they have been previously abused.

“Unfortunately, there is no way to tell,” said Dawson. “People often assume an animal is abused when in reality it is just under socialized, but it can be difficult to tell without witnesses or evidence.”

Katarzyna Salwa is a Windsor resident who adopted her dog Yogi a little over three years ago. Salwa said when she adopted Yogi he was not the dog he is today and has made a lot of progress since.

“He was a completely different dog back then, really scared and skinny,” said Salwa. “He was scared of his own shadow, the vets said he had been extremely malnourished and clearly abused by the previous owners.”

Salwa has enjoyed watching Yogi make progress over the years and said he is a friendly happy bundle of joy who has even managed to become friendly with other dogs, which he was previously unable to do.

“He is fully recovered from the abuse he got from a pup. It was a long but very rewarding process to see him come out of his shell,” said Salwa.

According to Dawson, whenever the shelter discovers an animal or dog who has been a victim of abuse, depending on the abuse, inspectors are called in to deal with the people. Their job includes anything from talking to them up to criminal charges. She also said there are different ways of reporting animal abuse.

“Dial 1-833-9ANIMAL. Or if you are witnessing animal abuse in process contact 911,” said Dawson. “Sadly, there will always be people that will do bad things to animals, but we try to reduce the amount of abuse by education, as well as humane education in schools.”

Salwa said she would choose adopting over buying a dog any day, and said she chose to adopt because dogs need our help the most. She also said, if you are considering adopting a dog you will not regret it.