Animal Shelters

While most pet lovers are very familiar with the concept of an animal shelter, few know about the different kinds of animal shelters. There are several types of facilities that are considered animal shelters, not just those that go by the name “animal shelter”. There are shelters, rescues, and Humane Societies. While each type of facility is different, all of them have the same purpose: to take on unwanted or stray pets and find the new homes.

Most people are interested in no kill animal shelters – like the Sterling Animal Shelter, a Massachusetts animal shelter - feeling that they are more humane. Generally, animal shelters and animal rescues are no kill facilities, though this may depend on the specific facility. These shelters take in strays and, in some cases, unwanted pets. Cats and dogs are often left on the doorstep of these shelters, in the hope that the shelter will be able to care for the abandoned pet. The burden then falls on the shelter or rescue to provide food, housing, and veterinary care for the animal until a suitable home is found. Some shelters, like the Owen Sound Animal Shelter, provide a place for stray pets until they are claimed by their owners.

The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society International are large non-profit organizations that also take in strays and abandoned animals. There are Humane Societies in many countries around the world. In the US, there are often more than one Humane Society facility in a state, making it easy to find an affiliated shelter if you need one. The most controversial aspect of the Humane Society is that they are a facility that practices euthanasia. After a specified amount of time at a Humane Society facility, animals that are not adopted or claimed are euthanized. There are arguments for and against this practice; using a Humane Society is a personal decision.

Local animal shelters can be found in almost every state in the United States and in many other countries outside the US. Whether you are looking for an animal shelter in Minnesota or Maine, animal shelters can be found near your home. Animal shelters in Connecticut and the Belleville, Illinois animal shelter are located in easy to find locations. Many shelters, even animal shelters in Michigan like the Dearborn Animal Shelter, have websites that give you contact information and their location. Wisconsin animal shelters and the Tulsa Animal Shelter have websites as well.