Humane Society focuses on rescuing dogs and cats

   Nearly 6.3 million stray animals on average become rescues from being abandoned or dropped off at a shelter. Some Humane Societies do kill animals if they realize that the animals are not getting adopted or if they are running low on space in the shelter. But the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri, (HSSM) is a no-kill shelter. 

   Katie Newcomb, a manager at the HSSM is the person who takes photos of the new animals and posts them on their website. The staff members can get attached to the animals and when they see the animals leave for their new home they are sometimes sad because of the bond they created with the animal, but at the same time, it can make the staff members feel happy for the animal. The longer the animals are at the shelter can affect how much of a bond the staff members share with that specific animal. 

   The bonds that are built can never be forgotten, but they can become long-distance bonds.

   “Seeing the animals, especially the ones who have been here for a while is probably my favorite part of my job,” Newcomb said.

   The animals being in the Humane Society and not in an actual home can have a toll on them. The animals who have been abused in their past before finding the Humane Society tend to be nervous or spastic around new humans, making it a bit difficult to help them learn to trust again.

   “Having to re-learn who else can be a family to them can be hard on them,” Newcomb said.  

   The HSSM does not euthanize for space, they also do not go on rescue missions as a company. They will take walk-ins and scheduled drop-offs though. The HSSM is a no-kill shelter so you can ensure the animal’s safety there. The HSSM does have a backyard for the animals, so the animals aren’t very often cooped up in a cage for a super long period of time. During the summer they even have a splash pad for the pups to play on. The HSSM does not pre-trained their animals with tricks but they do have a volunteer trainer who comes and works with the animals occasionally. The HSSM does potty train their animals in advance. 

   Adopter Delaney Herlocker has taken in a rescue dog, Ebony. Herlocker believes that Ebony was abused when she was still living with her old family because Ebony has three legs, making her the odd dog out. Ebony having only three legs didn’t affect Herlocker’s decision in a negative way, Herlocker saw it as unique. 

   Herlocker has adopted every one of her dogs from a rescue center or an adoption center, she believes that it’s more effective to adopt. 

   “Dogs that are rescued need homes more than human breed dogs,” Herlocker said.

   Herlocker adopted Ebony from a rescue center and Ebony was hit by a car when she was with her previous owners. She said that she has had many dogs and she had gone through the adoption process multiple times. She hasn’t ever had to have her home inspected to make sure that the animal will be ok in that house. Not many places inspect your home before sending the animal home with you. Most places just ask you questions trying to see if the animal will fit in at your home okay.   

   “A person can have a house That isn’t that neat, but they can still take good care of the animal,” Herlocker said.  

   Adopting can help an animal in need and they possibly could even show you that you possibly needed some rescuing as well.