Animal shelter

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A cat in an animal shelter waiting for adoption


The goal of the modern animal shelter is to provide for the basic needs of an animal until it is reclaimed by its owner, placed in a new home, placed with another organization for adoption, or euthanized. Many shelters temperament test animals before they are put up for adoption to determine if the animal is adoptable and, if so, what the appropriate home environment would be.


United States[edit]


Currently it is estimated that there are approximately 5,000 independently-run animal shelters operating nationwide.[6] Shelters have redefined their role since the 1990s. No longer serving as an until-death repository for strays and drop-offs, modern shelters have taken the lead in controlling the pet population, promoting pet adoption, and studying shelter animals' health and behavior. Shelters, and shelter-like volunteer organizations, responded to cat overpopulation with trap-neuter-release programs that reduced feral cat populations and reduced the burden on shelters.

In the United States, many government-run animal shelters operate in conditions that are far from ideal. In the wake of the financial crisis of 2007-2008 many government shelters have run out of adequate space and financial resources. Currently, in the U. S., 64% of all incoming animals left at a government-run shelter are euthanized.[7] Shelters unable to raise additional funds to provide for the increased number of incoming animals have no choice but to euthanize them, sometimes within days.[8] In 2012, approximately four million cats and dogs died in U.S. shelters.[9]



Some shelters will also keep reptiles and parrots.

United Kingdom[edit]



Larger cities in Germany either have a city shelter for animals or contract with one of the very common non-profit animal organizations throughout the country, which run their own shelters. Most shelters are populated by dogs, cats, and a variety of small animals like mice, rats, and rabbits. Additionally there are so-called Gnadenhöfe ("mercy-farms") for larger animals. They take cattle or horses from private owners who want to put them down for financial reasons. Under German law the euthanization of animals is restricted to medical reasons or cases where the animal is dangerous, not controllable, and actually poses a danger to humans (Gefahr im Verzug - exigent circumstance). Most dangerous animals, such as aggressive dogs (possession of some special breeds is restricted), are locked away until rehoused to a controlled environment.


Across India, various animal shelters are run by the followers of Jainism. The Lal Mandir, a prominent Jain temple in Delhi, is known for the Jain Birds Hospital in a second building behind the main temple.[10][11] Every city and town in Bundelkhand has animal shelters run by Jains.

See also[edit]


  3. ^ "Georgia Humane Euthansia Act, O.C.G.A. Â§4-11-5.1". Animal Law Coalition. Retrieved 16 October 2012. 
  5. ^ "Georgia Animal Protection Act". Retrieved 16 October 2012. 
  6. ^ "Pet Statistics". ASPCA. Retrieved 16 October 2012. 
  7. ^ Diamond, Wendy (13 May 2007). "America’s Foreclosed Pets". The Huffington Post (Cleveland). p. 1. Retrieved 6 August 2009. 
  11. ^ "Top 10 Delhi - Dorling Kindersley - Google Books". Retrieved 2013-09-28. 

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