We asked some of our staff what they see and feel around the shelter recently and what they would like the public to know about Great Plains SPCA. Check out the video below or read the full transcript below.
What are you seeing in the shelter recently?
Wyatt
The first thing I see is a lot of great dogs, but even the greatest dogs, when they’re put in that environment, that stressful environment, they can really struggle to come out of their shell. And, you know, we really try to help get them out of their shell, but there’s only so much we can do. It’s very hard to simulate a home environment when the dog’s surrounded by 1520 other dogs at all times.
Kirsten
Yeah. So I’ve been seeing a lot of long term dogs stay and not go out, which is really unfortunate because even these newer dogs who we thought would go quickly aren’t. So they’re also joining the long term list. So we’re just seeing a lot of dogs not get adopted. We have a lot of great qualities about them.
Danni
So lately I’ve been seeing a lot of displaced animals and there’s a lot of people and animals that are needing help. And I also see a lot of animals being dumped and abandoned due to their cities, not having appropriate resources and services.
What are you feeling in the shelter recently?
Wyatt
Well, I think I feel what the animals feel. And right now, I think the animals are very stressed and that can tend to make some of the animal care workers feel stressed. You know, we look at these dogs as our own. I mean, I love each and every one of these dogs.
Kirsten
Yeah. So I’ve been feeling a lot of anxious energy from the dogs. They’re very rowdy, very anxious just because they’re not being able to meet new people. Besides us canine care and other staff members. Just a lot of people aren’t wanting to meet the dogs, which means that they aren’t getting a lot of socialization, which means that they are going to be more rowdy, energetic and all over. Just kind of…They’re all over the place. Yeah.
Danni
So I’ve been feeling a lot, so much empathy for these animals and people. I wish I could help them all. Unfortunately, I can’t. And there have been many, many phone calls where someone is trying to surrender their pets. And they I can just tell how hopeless they’re feeling. And I can definitely empathize for them.
What do you want the public to know about Great Plains SPCA?
Wyatt
I want them to know how amazing each and every one of these dogs are and that we do our best day in and day out. But sometimes it’s not enough. And we do need that help. And we’re all struggling, but nobody’s struggling as much as these dogs.
Kirsten
So the dogs here at the shelter, when you see them in their kennel, it’s not a good judge of who they are because they’re stuck in that kennel almost all day, every day. So their energy is just going to be really wrapped in that kennel. So getting to meet them actually in person and being able to touch them and hang out with them in indoor play by meeting with an adoption counselor, is really going to be the best way to get to know that animal.
Danni
I want the public to educate themselves. Getting a pet is a big, big, big commitment. I also want people to spay and neuter their animals and their pets. Microchip your pets. Make TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) make that a common practice in the public.
Our work never ends for community pets. Time is running out to help us reach our Lend a paw donation drive fundraising goal of $350,000 by July 31.