Today, millions of dogs are waiting for a second chance to have a place to call home. Around 2.7 million adoptable shelter animals are euthanized each year, with overpopulation being a primary factor. When you choose to adopt a rescue dog, not only do you welcome a new companion into your home, but you give other dogs a chance at finding a family while also fighting the devastating effects of puppy mills, overbreeding and overpopulated shelters.
With the rise of puppy mills, the decision you make about where you are getting your dog is more than just a simple choice. Puppy mills are large-scale breeding facilities that collectively breed 4.3 million puppies every year, but only half of the puppies born survive their first 12 weeks. There is an estimated population of 5.9 million homeless dogs in America, and the population is growing everyday. The conditions in these mills are far from safe for the dogs. According to the National Humane Society, the dogs are usually in wire cages stacked on top of each other and are given little water or food. Breeder dogs are expected to breed repeatedly until they die, they never leave the puppy mill.
Paw Works, located at the Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks, rescues animals from euthanization shelters and gives them a second chance in loving forever homes. Brittany Vizcarra, Director of Operations at Paw Works, is true to this mission.
“Not only are you taking an animal that’s been abandoned and needs a home, you are clearing a space for another one who needs that same opportunity,” Vizcara said. “When you take [the rescues] in … they understand that you saved them and it’s a very deep bond.”
Paw Works’ mission is “to help make Ventura County ‘No Kill,’” and after a month Ventura County has achieved that status. A “No Kill” county means animal shelters throughout the county achieve a live release rate of 90%, meaning 90% or more of the animals entering the shelters are either adopted, transferred to other rescues or returned to their owners. Most of the dogs at Paw Works are pulled from euthanization listed shelters throughout California.
However, there is a certain stigma against rescued dogs that must be broken down. Many people refuse to rescue due to behavioral issues, history of neglect and uncertainty about breed. It should be understood that most rescue dogs could have a history of hardship, neglect, abandonment or abuse, which makes the case for finding them a home ever more dire. Behavioral issues may spark within dogs with painful pasts, but over time, they can adapt to a loving and caring life.
While some let their predetermined opinions on adopting cloud their judgement, these views should be set aside. Adopting from a shelter can be a rewarding choice.
“[Negative beliefs assume that] all rescues are aggressive … scared or untrainable. We have so many animals that are so deserving and so lovely,” Vizcarra said. “Sometimes they’ve been abused or neglected … they don’t understand how to feel okay with humans and with our job we get to see those breakthroughs and work with them to get to that place.”
Even if you are unable to bring a dog home, Paw Works offers other ways to support rescues. Paw Works has many volunteer opportunities incorporated in their store: providing care for the rescues within the adoption center and rescue facility, being a part of their field-trip programs, becoming children ambassadors, and helping out at weekend pet adoptions and other community events.
The Paw Works field-trip program allows community members to take adoptable dogs from the Paw Works shelter out for the day for the dogs to enjoy being outside the shelter. Paw Works also offers a child ambassador program. Children from the ages 6-15 can participate in offering peer education in schools, speaking to small groups of children at local events, volunteering at community activities, and spreading the word about animal rescue. To sign up for these activities, you can go to Paw Works volunteer page and fill out their Volunteer Release and Agreement form.
Every adoption is a chance to break the cycle of abuse and give deserving animals a fresh start. Choosing to adopt not only saves one dog’s life, but hundreds of others.
“When you support a rescue, you’re supporting your community,” Vizcarra said. “That is one less animal that’s going to be euthanized.”
