LEXINGTON PARK, Md. – Friends, this is a tough subject, but we wanted to talk today about behavioral euthanasia and kennel decline. And how people like you can help.
This is King. And he’s one of several dogs in our care that is (rapidly) mentally deteriorating at our shelter.
Out of his kennel, King settles quickly and is social and relaxed. But once returned to his cage, King is a neurotic mess — drooling, rapid fire barking, and jumping obsessively. We can’t blame him. The shelter has a million stressors — strange smells, loud noises, crowds of strangers, barking dogs. But these behaviors deter adopters, extend his stay, and allow his slide into shelter-induced insanity continue.
Behavioral meds work for some dogs. But others, like King, continue to struggle in this environment, and unfortunately, often start displaying behaviors that become dangerous (like displacement biting, cage-fighting with neighboring dogs, and self-harm). And when those behaviors begin, we’re forced to consider behavioral euthanasia.
This is where you come in.
We are officially launching foster programming at SMCAARC, for dogs like King, that struggle in the shelter. Dogs that would be GREAT, adoptable pets if placed in a household until adopters come along. Dogs that, candidly, would be at risk of euthanasia if they continue to remain in the shelter.
We have big plans to expand foster programming quickly to include other populations, but we’re starting with behavioral cases like King. And we need your support. If you’re interested and able to foster an adult dog, advocate for them, and help them find an adoptive home, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.
Drop us a comment and we’ll message with more information.
Awww he’s so stinking cute… My children keep begging me for a dog… I seriously thinking about it…