What is a Shelter Walker

In the rescue world, we have what are called Shelter Walkers, they walk the shelters on a daily basis to take pictures and write bios of the dogs/cats. Then they put in hours posting them to rescue groups on the internet, in hopes of saving just one. Their work is tireless and for the most part no one knows what it really takes to do such a job. They are faced with death of many sweet, innocent animals that are either found as strays or surrendered by their owners. Sometimes they are very successful and the animals that they have worked hard for get rescued or adopted. And the animals surpass euthanasia getting a second chance. Shelter walkers go into a shelter knowing that the dogs that were there yesterday will not be here today, for they were euthanized this morning. A Shelter Walkers work is endless, depressing and is an emotional roller coaster for the person doing it. It takes someone very special person to be that dedicated and kind hearted to take on the task of being a shelter walker. Please watch the video and see for yourself what Shelter Walkers and Rescuers are faced with in our constant battle of trying to save those that cannot save themselves. As a rescuer, we depend on shelter walkers and their postings in order to be able to rescue the ones we can, they are our eyes and ears in the shelters. There is a very small amount compared to the numbers of animals in the shelters that actually make it out.

As for the Shelter Walkers, I thank you for all that you have done and for all that you have gave of yourselves. And, for you Russell Posch, I have to thank you personally for helping me with all my babies that came out of Irving's Shelter. You go out of your way to help with any dog at Irving and its remarkable! I have talked with you on days that you feel you can't return to the shelter because of the pain, but some how find the strength to go on. All of you have made a difference and continue to do so daily and many lives have been saved because of you!

The video is about our shelters and shelter walkers here in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, but the situation is nationwide. You will note in the video as to how many Pit Bulls there are in the shelters. Please help us put a stop to the breeding of Pit Bulls. One person cannot do it alone but as a army of people, we can help the Pits by spreading the word of how many die daily and that breeding them is devastating to the breed. The shelters get the blame for the dogs they have to euthanize, but really who is to blame? The blame goes to the ones that breed and allow breeding to continue. Most dogs and puppies end up in a shelter on death row. There are more Pits in the shelters that die, than any other type of breed. Two decades ago, our Pit Bulls were the number one family dog. They are sweet, sensitive dogs that love the companion of their humans and its bad breeding and bad dog parenting that has caused our Pits Bulls to become aggressive. Just because they are a strong, physical dogs doesn't mean they like to be treated as such. And, when a Dog has had enough of bad treatment and it fights back just as humans do. But when a dog does it, then it gets labeled as aggressive and that, doesn't have a good ending to it. Respect your dog and your dog will respect you more!



For those of you that know me, note the third dog in the video, the big fawn that is barking at the camera, that is Louie, the big guy that I saved from Irving, that was adopted from me last spring. Yippie yi yay for you Louie!!!