The Role of
Shelter
Shelter is a place that is created especially that provides food and temporary home for homeless people and children, disaster victims, etc.
By : Drh. Zulfikar Basrul, M.Si
The History of Animal Shelter
Animal shelters in America evolved from the livestock impounds that were found in colonial towns and villages. (Zawistowski and Morris, 2004; Zawistowski, 2008). Livestock population is decreasing, the number of stray dogs are increasing, 1868, Pennsylvania SPCA, Caroline Earle White : First humane animal shelter with food, medical care and re-homing facility.
The role of a shelter in society
1. Finding a good and new family for stray animals and returning lost pets to their owners.
2. Maintaining physical and mental health and animal welfare for stray animals
3. Preventing cruelty towards animals
4. Implementing animal population control for stray animals
6. Utilizing shelter as training center for veterinary practitioners
7. Creating a more animal friendly community
8. Protecting health and safety for society by doing vaccination, sterilization/neutering and deworming for animals
9. As a shelter and information center during a natural disaster
10. Avoiding extortion and scam by presenting a transparent financial report
Without shelters, there would be many stray animals. Letting them to roam freely can cause a risk of transmitting zoonotic diseases such as: leptospirosis, giardiasis, Rabies, which are contaminated by numerous factors: urine, feces and saliva either from pets to their owners from fecal – oral contacts. So it is very important to keep “One Health” in disaster areas.
