Adopting grief or saving lives?

My man and I  recently shared a conversation about adopting again. I was perusing some shelter baby pictures and forwarded some cute pics when he replied that he was shelter-shy after our last experience.

I hadn’t forgotten Drogo; I had merely diverted my anguish over his loss while I browsed the adorable adoptable kittens. My man’s reminder opened some old wounds, and I admitted I shared the same apprehension. Our little boy had most likely been exposed to the virus that killed him at the shelter; a baby born in a crowded multi-cat setting–many of which requiring medical attention–would have a hard time developing an immune system to fend off disease or infection.

However, it is sobering reading profile after pet profile that some animals are destined for brief lives in the care of these shelters. Such is the plight of many shelter animals–their prospects for a bright and happy future are rare as they serve short stints in less-than-ideal situations to prove themselves adoptable. The reality is few city/county shelters are truly no-kill. This is the unfortunate circumstance of many a public-funded animal shelter in this country: limited on funds, space, time, and adopters.

My man uttered that adopting another kitten from a shelter would be “paying for pain”. We will long be bothered by Drogo’s loss, and his passing is 4 months old, but still fresh in our minds. However, given the option of dying homeless in a shelter or knowing a brief life in a loving home, it’s hard to argue which was the better outcome.