Shelter or Rescue?

It’s important to note that, while your community may have many organizations with the words “animal shelter” in the name, there are distinctions between each model. These models are explained below.

Government-Operated Animal Shelters

Municipal animal shelters are open admission, which means the public may turn in a lost animal, injured wildlife, stray farm animals, or surrender their pet. This usually means there is an animal control department that patrols the community within the city limits, picking up strays, redirecting or triaging wildlife, responding to animal abuse calls, and in some cases issuing citations for pets that do not have a license within the city. Examples of this model are visitors, and can ask for public assistance when the shelter is overwhelmed.

Offering Outside Support Services for Community Members

„ Fencing and small repairs programs. Helping a community member keep their animals from getting out of the yard or home reduces shelter intake.

„ Post-adoption training courses help new pet parents navigate a successful transition from shelter to home.

„ Pet food banks help pet parents provide food for their pets during challenging times instead of surrendering their pet to the shelter due to lack of funds.

„ Low-cost medical clinics at the shelter, mobile, or at veterinarian offices help pet

Coachella Valley Animal Campus, LA Animal Services, and Riverside County Animal Services.

Non-Profit Shelters & Rescues Offer a Safe Haven

The municipal shelter system cannot work alone and relies on the support of animal welfare organizations including non-profit shelters and rescues to take in animals at risk of euthanasia. Here’s a look at the partnerships that make the system work.

Public-Private Animal Shelter Model. This is a model where funding is provided by both the city the animal shelter services and a non-profit charity arm that accepts donations from the public or other entities. This model provides care parents access easy and affordable care.

„ Housing animals during times of emergency without risk of euthanasia for community members experiencing temporary challenges, such as personal illness, transition from a domestic abuse situation to safe shelter, natural catastrophe, losing a home, seeking a new rental home that accept pets.

Thinking Outside the Box: Ways Animal Shelters are Connecting with Public

Despite the remodels, upgrades, and changes shelters have gone through, there are still those who are hesitant to enter an animal shelter for one reason or another. Luckily, there are alternatives to a visit to the shelter, including:

„ Cat cafes that work with shelters or rescues and include areas to meet adoptable cats while sipping coffee or tea.

„ Retail spaces that offer pet adoptions like Living Free Desert Outpost Store located in The Shops at Palm Desert and LA Love & Leashes at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles.

„ Pet supply stores offering in-store adoption events.

„ Nationwide events like Clear the Shelters, sponsored by large media outlets.

„ Mega adoption events usually held outdoors offering pet adoptions from multiple organizations with a day of events, including food trucks, entertainment, shopping vendors, and fun activities for kids.

„ Puppy and kitten yoga is exactly what it sounds like. A yoga class where shelter volunteers bring kittens and/or puppies to class and allow them to explore and help you find your Zen. Ask your yoga studio if they host these events!

The animal shelter system has come a long way, but there is still work to be done. The animal welfare world is one in constant need, with limited resources, and that’s why the for higher need cases and does not euthanize animals for space. Examples are San Diego Humane Society and Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

Non-Profit Animal Shelter. This model is supported strictly by donations, typically with no budget support from the city they reside in. The non-profit shelter model often offers higher care to the animals and does not euthanize for space. An example of this is Animal Samaritans.

Non-Profit Animal Rescue with Shelter Facility. This is a non-profit organization that is funded by donations and has a brick-and-mortar facility that allows them to house animals in addition to using the foster-based model.

Examples are California Paws Rescue, Wags & Walks, Loving All Animals, and Helen Woodward Animal Center.

Non-Profit Foster Based Animal Rescue. This is a non-profit organization that is funded by donations and community sheltering model is so powerful. It allows everyone to get involved, brings engagement among the community, identifies relevant issues and needs, and builds a platform for finding solutions—the biggest one being saving the lives of animals.

Alicia Bailey is a writer specializing in animal welfare topics and issues. Prior to writing full time, she spent 13+ years working in rescue and animal sheltering, holding leadership roles in both. Alicia is mom to four uniquely abled dogs, including @Little Boogie Shoes and @Bust A. Moves does not have a brick-andmortar facility. The animals are cared for by volunteer fosters and live in a home environment temporarily while they await adoption. Examples are Labelle Foundation and The Beagle Freedom Project. Animals are only saved when a foster is available.

The Independent Rescuer. This is a person who may or may not hold a non-profit status, but rescues animals on a small scale; for example, one at a time. These rescuers will rescue, rehabilitate, foster, and find an adopter using their own means or fundraising through social media or online fundraising sites, such as gofundme.com. They are as integral to the lifesaving process as larger organizations.

Ideally, all these organizations would work together to keep shelter animals moving from government shelters to safe shelters and rescues to adopted homes.