Every year, millions of pets in the U.S. are without a home. Whether in a shelter or stuck on the streets, it is estimated that a mere 6.5 million out of 70 million homeless pets in the United States will end up in a shelter. This leaves about 63.5 million cats, dogs, and other pets without a loving home in the United States alone. On Oct. 30, Corrine Hartman, a Cleveland Animal Protective League (APL) volunteer, emphasized the importance of rescuing pets from shelters—and the impact it can have, both on the pets’ lives and our own—rather than buying them from breeders.
Hartman has volunteered at the shelter for over 5 years, specifically working in the cat room. These cats come from many different places and backgrounds, whether their owners were moving into a nursing home, they were found on the streets, or their previous owners surrendered them. “This is my happy place,” Hartman states, referring to the cat room.
There are many benefits to adopting from the shelter. You’re improving the life of an animal discarded by a previous owner or found on the street. Without people to adopt them, these pets could remain in shelters for a lifetime.
“I find whenever I have cats, my blood pressure is lowered; I’m just more relaxed,” Hartman said. This is very true, as connecting with animals brings health benefits, like lowering blood pressure and cortisol levels.
Pets not only act as furry friends; they give you a sense of security and elevate your mood. They are great companions, and each pet has an intriguing personality of its own. Hartman described the story of one of the shelter’s cats, Cinderella. Cinderella came from a small condo owned by a single, older woman. After the owner went into a nursing home, Cinderella ended up at the shelter. The cat needed a quiet, calm household to fit her personality. Hartman and the staff in the cat department take on the enjoyable task of matching cats’ personalities with their potential new owners.
The cat room is calm and quiet, but chaos is ensured when it comes to the dog room. The moment you enter, barks fill your ears, and unpleasant odors infiltrate your nose. Walking past every dog, you see a different personality: Some bark as you walk by, while others silently look up with serious puppy-dog eyes. Some welcome your touch, while others sit in the corner, hesitant to be touched. Though each dog has its own background and personality, they all seek one thing—a home.
Finding homes for pets is the APL’s mission, but first, they must bring them in from the streets or unsafe environments. Hartman shared a bittersweet story about dogs rescued about a year ago: “It was four Saint Bernards that were so emaciated you could see every rib, all their hip bones, and their fur was matted.” These dogs had been neglected, but the APL restored them to health. After being cleaned up and cared for, all four found homes that love them.
“Those dogs didn’t do anything to anybody,” Hartman said. This horrible treatment was undeserved, and without shelters like the APL, they would’ve been stuck in that situation, unable to recover and find a loving owners.
Not everyone can free these poor animals from behind bars, even though we might want to. Not all of us can donate or spend years in school to become vets. But there is something anyone can do: volunteer. The APL has countless positions for volunteers, from dog walking to helping Hartman in the cat room. You’ll meet so many furry friends, but just a warning: you may fall in love.
“It’s unconditional love, and that’s hard to beat,“ Hartman said. You can’t help but love them, and they can’t help but love you. Whether you’re looking for a “fur” ever friend or a dog to take on a stroll, you can make a difference by going to a shelter. Give these animals a loving home they may not have had before, or gain an unforgettable experience by volunteering. Rescue.
