Why we Cannot Take in Every Dog in Need
At GMAP, we strive to help every animal that comes into our path. While we always promise to help all these animals and especially dogs in need, it is impossible for us to take them all in. We have received many messages and emails expressing frustration with our inability to take in every single dog in need.
Here, we will explain why and how we give you this answer as well as highlight the various ways we continue to help and what you can do instead!
FIRST: WHY WE CAN’T TAKE EVERY DOG IN NEED IN
1. We are over capacity.
The GMAP shelter is already overcrowded. Our shelter only has the space to house approximately 70 dogs and we have over 100. This not only creates an extremely uncomfortable environment for our residents, but also means that any new dog in need will not get the special care he or she deserves.
2. We do not have enough staff.
Our full-time staff are already extremely taxed with all the extra dogs they have to care for daily, not including those with special needs. We simply do not have the manpower needed to keep up with new intakes.
3. We do not have enough resources.
Food, medication, supplies, and equipment do not just appear out of thin air with each new rescue. For each dog in need, it will cost us a huge sum of money to treat, spay or neuter, feed, and groom him or her. This is not even counting the daily expenses that factor into each animal after initially taking them in. We simply cannot afford nor create the space in our facility for all these resources.
4. We are not a boarding facility.
We will cover the difference between a shelter and a boarding facility in another article, however, the point here is: We do not operate in such a way as to take money in return for housing and looking after a stray dog or dog in need.
5. Money is not a substitute for proper care.
Imagine if we suddenly had enough resources and cash. You might think that would solve the problem at hand. Sadly, this is not the case. Every dog in need requires special human care that cannot be bought with money. Paid fosters are rare in Lebanon and hard to come by. This point is doubly emphasized with special needs animals. Money cannot clean wounds, change diapers, clean up messes, administer medications, or give love and warmth.
6. Our team is small and cannot keep up with all the rescue missions.
We are only a handful of individuals and we cannot be in any place at any time. Rescue missions cost us resources, time, and energy. We simply cannot keep up with the demand for every dog in need.
SECOND: HOW WE CAN HELP A DOG IN NEED
1. We can help with vet bills for qualified cases.
2. We can share on our page to find a foster/ adopter.
3. We can help by spaying or neutering through affiliated clinics.
4. We can help with food for qualified cases.
5. We can help by providing medication for qualified cases.
6. We can recommend good facilities, pet taxis, or any other resources.
THIRD: WHAT YOU CAN DO
1. Take initiative!
Don’t count on an overwhelmed rescue to do every single thing for each case! Help in any way you can.
2. Be patient when contacting rescues or shelters.
Our inboxes are usually too full and our hotlines are always busy. Please know that we are trying our best to get to every dog in need.
3. Try to provide a safe space for the animal.
It doesn’t have to be perfect! A makeshift shelter, room, tent, or even any warm and dry area is better for a dog in need than the street. Be creative and resourceful. The strays will thank you!
4. Be proactive about spaying and neutering.
This will help to stop the cycle as well as take the pressure off shelters.
5. Reach out as much as you can and share for adoptions.
Ask larger pages to share your case. You can also “vet” potential adopters yourself this way.
6. Consider alternative solutions.
For example, try a boarding facility rather than a shelter if applicable.
FINALLY…
We hope this article was eye-opening for you. As you can see, even though we cannot take every single case in, at GMAP, we still try to help every dog in need. We believe in doing the best we can for every animal. We always promise to do so, despite all the difficulties we face, as well as the fact that we are only human at the end of the day.
