08/01/2025
Before You Criticize, Please Understand the Reality
The shelter and rescue world is beyond difficult—even on the best days. Those of us in this space are here because we love animals, deeply and unconditionally. Every single day, we pour our hearts into saving lives, often with limited resources, little sleep, and emotional exhaustion that most people never see.
And yet, from the outside, it can seem so simple. People are quick to comment, criticize, and complain without understanding what goes on behind the scenes.
The truth is: not one person in this field ever wants to see an animal euthanized. But it's a heartbreaking reality that shelters and rescues across the country are being forced to face—even those labeled “no-kill.”
2025 has been especially brutal. Just look around at rescues and shelters nationwide—we’re all overwhelmed. Begging for adopters. Pleading for fosters. Doing everything possible to avoid having to make the toughest decisions. But there simply aren't enough homes, and there aren’t enough resources.
And yes, your local shelter is doing everything it can to relocate the remaining dogs as quickly and safely as possible—because the fact of the matter is: the building is coming down. There will no longer be a place for these animals to stay. We're racing against time to find them homes, and while we always strive to make the best matches possible, unfortunately, not every outcome is perfect.
But please—don’t point fingers at the shelter staff or volunteers who are working tirelessly, under immense pressure, to do the right thing. We are doing everything in our power to provide each animal with the best possible chance at a forever home.
So instead of judging from the sidelines, we encourage you to step in:
Visit your local shelter. Volunteer. Foster. Donate. Adopt. Talk to the staff. See for yourself what they’re up against.
It’s not shelter workers or rescue teams who are failing these animals. It’s the system. It’s the lack of community support. It’s the people who continue to breed, abandon, and neglect.
If you truly care, let your actions speak louder than your complaints. These animals need more compassion, not more criticism.
