RE: I need ideas on best brand of carrier for feral

Fri, 06 May 2005 20:24:49 -0700

My 2 feral dogs are in that situation.  They have a large fenced backyard and are company to each other.  However, what I've found, is that to socialize them to people they need to be separated from each other and then have someone spend LOTS of time with them.  I work such long hours I am unable to do that.  When they are together, or if I brought in more ferals that would cause them to 'stick together' even more.  A trainer told me this, and when one of mine had to be heartworm treated I noted it was true.  She had to be confined to a small pen for a couple of months away from the other feral.  During that time she tamed down a great deal and got used to me petting her, etc.... But as soon as I released her back into the yard with my other feral she reverted back.  :(  They seem to feed off each other's fear.
tonya

Chris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

I�m really not very knowledgeable about dogs�. But I�ve often wondered whether some of these dogs who are so distrustful of humans might do better with a small group of similar dogs� somewhat like �feral cats� colonies�.  I know that dogs are more likely to have inter-dog aggression but perhaps with slow intros & without the competition for food, shelter, & with neutering some could be housed together with limited human contact but in their own grassy, enclosed space.  Have you ever tried that or am I just being completely unrealistic�.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2005 2:16 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: I need ideas on best brand of carrier for feral

 

Nina,

I think everyone here knows my views on the no kill issue.

It is great for those that can be "retrained", but my dilemma is with the poor dogs that have to live such a solitary existence.  And some of these dogs are just plain "evil", through no fault of their own I'm sure.

I took Middy because her fate would have been living in a kennel, 24/7, 365. To me, that's not a life. It's more like prison.

We don't have funding to have a professional come in to work with the dogs. We even purchased a boarding kennel, off premises, to keep the worst of the dogs due to insurance & liability.

Who knows what these dogs have been thru?  And sadly, they will not trust any human. (We do have one caretaker who is able to handle "most" of them...)

All I know is due to restrictions, we are only able to have "X" amount of dogs on the property. And there is nothing sadder than having to turn away a perfectly adoptable dog because we don't have room. We do have many fosters, but we have grown so much in the last few years, our foster homes are maxed out with dogs.

Like I said before, being confined in a kennel, never touching grass, or being able to run is not a quality life. In fact, I think it just adds more stress to the already over-stressed animal. But, I don't make the rules. I just question them.......And that doesn't go over well, questioning the "authority figures".

 

At least with our feral cats, they do have a good life. Many go to foster homes to see if they'll come around.  Many settle down quite comfortably in their new home.

And the ferals that have come from colonies that do not adapt, are relocated with some of our employees/volunteers that live on farms in rural areas. One of my best friends, has cats from 3 colonies, living the life of Reilly.

 

It's just so sad that so many wonderful animals are not given the chance for a new life, due to the number of aggressive dogs.

Patti

 

 

 

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