TOH animal shelter-need advice

My DD is 7 and in Brownies. Their leader scheduled a visit to the TOH animal shelter. She said they have a program where the girls can take a tour and learn about animal kindness. It's really upsetting to me bc as I'm sure most of you know, it's a kill shelter and is very controversial for many reasons to say the very least. All the girls are really excited to go. How can I let my DD go? Would you explain to her why? Would you say something to the leader or other parents? I really like the leader, I know her heart is in the right place and don't want to step on her feet or make her feel bad but I am so bothered by it. I'm not saying no kill shelters are perfect at all but I feel like they're too young to understand the dynamics of what goes on at a shelter. Am I wrong? WWYD?

Re: TOH animal shelter-need advice

As an adult i found going to animal shelters a heart breaking experience. If i saw all those dogs locked up in the tiny sterile cages as a child i would have been devistated! Do the girls really have to tour the shelter? What about just collecting items that shelters usually nned (towels, chew toys, etc...) and explaining about unwanted pets and animal shelters and what people can do to avoid having an animal go to a shelter? Or what about touring little shelter? Its much more "homey" then a town shelter.

Re: TOH animal shelter-need advice

Ouch. I couldn't let my child go and I would definitely say something to the leader. She's probably just misinformed!

ETA: I also agree that touring an animal shelter is extremely depressing. I never leave those places feeling good, even if I've saved an animal's life and brought him home with me!

Message edited 10/13/2011 10:34:30 AM.

Re: TOH animal shelter-need advice

I honestly think it is important for our next generation to learn about shelters. It is part of our society and maybe some day this visit will cause them to think about it and make some kind of change later on in life. I don't think it would be a bad thing to make the visit at a less upsetting shelter though. Bide a wee in Westhampton is a nice shelter to go to. I am sure there are other ones too. Maybe you can talk to the leader about switching the shelter but I think it is a great teaching moment for the girls. JMHO

Re: TOH animal shelter-need advice

I would say something to the troop leader in the most non-confrontational way possible.

I do think it's good that they learn what happens when people adopt pets & abandon them.

IF the shelter is getting money out of this trip & you don't support it, then opt out of it. Many of the parents in our troop opted out of the circus for the same reason.

Re: TOH animal shelter-need advice

It's tough, there aren't many no-kill shelters around, and legally the animals have to be dropped off at the town shelter and then taken in by one of the private no-kills. Organizations like NSAL can't take in strays themselves.

We're taking our Daisy troop to Petco for an animal kindness talk, it's a self-guided in-store tour that Field Trip Factory provides a curriculum for. I know they aren't the greatest either, but it seems less intense for the young girls.

Re: TOH animal shelter-need advice

Yikes! That's a tough question but I may have a solution. I am on a mission right now to advocate for all of the animals in that kill "shelter." I am a proud member of Hope for Hempstead Shelter (on FB and hopeforhempsteadshelter.com) As a mom & animal lover, I totally understand your torn feelings but I would not subject anyone to that shelter that doesn't need to be there, especially young, impressionable children. FYI- One time when I was there, a brownie troop came in and was brought to the back to witness a dog in labor, which as animal lover knows, stresses out a female in delivery. Without getting into the details, this amount of stress compromised the puppies and possibly traumatized some of the children. The Humane Education Department at this shelter makes a ton of money to "educate" our community, including our brownie and cub scout troops. They do visit schools for assemblies, as well as brownie troops in the schools or libraries. As taxpayers, we are paying them to do this. For your information, these kind of Humane Education Departments are normally run by volunteers, who are always there for the right reasons but at TOH, at least two humane education employees easily make over $100,000 a year with overtime. My suggestion to you would be to let the brownie leader know about this and suggest that the Humane Ed. department come to your brownie troop meeting instead of bringing all of the children into the shelter at this time. Best of luck to you and please join me in the mission to change this shelter into a no-kill.

Message edited 10/13/2011 6:39:37 PM.

Re: TOH animal shelter-need advice

Is it the shelter by the old dump in E. Npt? Although it is a kill shelter - there is a volunteer group on there for the dogs and cats. The volunteer organization tries very, very hard to place all the animals that can be placed. When I volunteered there - only one dog that may have been put down because he was not adoptable due to aggression. The people that run the volunteer organization are very hands on and it may a very positive experience. The GS will see the volunteers playing with the dogs in the play yard, walking them, grooming them, etc.

Re: TOH animal shelter-need advice