There May Be A Solution To Saving Them

They are sweet faces, aren't they? Some are sad and confused. Others are hopeless and dejected.

They are certainly worth saving. Most likely they will not be.

We have already shared about our lack of foster space. Several people have stepped up and completed applications to become approved fosters. We appreciate and applaud you for that. We can save so many more thanks to your willingness to help. Sadly, we likely cannot save these.

Here is the issue with the sweet faces shown above. They are not likely to get adopted. If we were able to find a foster space for them, they would likely remain there for years without ever getting adopted. We have experienced this before. It places us in a heartbreaking position.

Do we take them into our foster program, eliminating that spot for other dogs to be saved?
Do we take them into our foster program, committing limited resources to them for years to come?

We, as rescuers, do not want to say no to any animal in need. As concerned citizens, we want to save them all. We simply cannot.

We, as those charged with running your local Humane Society, must make the difficult choices of which lives to invest our limited resources in saving. We do not have the luxury of allowing our hearts to lead us. We must follow the logic that, if we can pull several dogs that will be adopted quickly, we can save more lives than if we pull one dog that may take years to be adopted.

But there may be a solution. There are breed-specific rescues out there for these loveable breeds. There are adoptive homes out there somewhere who would fall in love with them. We just need help finding them.

BHS would love to add two additional volunteer positions that would help increase the number of lives we can save.

A Networking Coordinator would reach out to breed-specific and other rescues to network those animals least likely to be adopted locally. We have a list of organizations that can be used as a starting point. All you need to do is email a photo and whatever information is available to rescues that may be able to help. Follow up with a phone call if the email goes unanswered. Seek out additional rescues to add to our contact list. And call on volunteers to help with transportation, when needed.

An Adoption Coordinator would help highlight our current fosters to get them adopted out more quickly, freeing up foster space to take in new animals. You would reach out to media sources to get them advertised, help screen adoption applications, and help organize adoption events each month.

Are you interested in being part of the solution? Download a volunteer application from our website (www.bhsva.org) and email it to info@bhsva.org.