Numerous workers, volunteers, emergency responders, and animal doctors often express that a shelter isn’t the ideal environment for a dog.
While it offers some level of care and protection and is indeed preferable to living on the streets, a shelter cannot fulfill what a dog truly craves: the affection of a family and the comfort of a home.
Considering this, it’s heart-wrenching to think about a dog stuck in a shelter for over 800 days without finding a forever family.
Munch, a 3-year-old Terrier mix, has been spending his prime years at a shelter in Bulverde, Texas, facing such a situation.
While he enjoys all his basic needs there, everyone yearns to see him finding happiness with someone who can offer him unwavering love.
Shelter Employees Have Developed a Bond with Him
Munch was found as a stray by the volunteers from Bulverde Area Humane Society in Texas, who brought him to their shelter in September 2021.
Fortunately, he had no injuries and was a delightful pup. The shelter volunteers instantly grew fond of him.
“Munch is a dog that many volunteers are drawn to, and he absolutely adores playing with them! He enjoys toys, loves to explore, and is a water enthusiast in the summer!” BAHS wrote in their Facebook post.
In their introduction post, they also mentioned that Munch is a handsome boy with a love for exploring and observing the world. He’s quite the inquisitive pup.
However, BAHS pointed out that while he is very sociable with humans, he can be quite selective with other dogs.
Herein lies part of the challenge when it comes to his adoption.
Specific Requirements Present a Genuine Challenge
“The challenge we face in finding him a home is that we believe he would thrive best as the sole pet in the household,” remarked Penny LaFlam, the dog coordinator at Bulverde, in an interview with Newsweek.
Shelter staff and volunteers agree that he is an affectionate dog when he’s with a human one-on-one. However, it’s essential to approach him correctly, as his boundless energy can sometimes lead to misbehaving.
Thus, they believe that Munch would be best suited for an experienced dog owner without young children.
“I mention this because he has a tendency to jump,” said Penny during an interview with KENS5. “However, he interacts well with older kids.”
On top of that, there’s a specific reason why Munch remains in the shelter. This Terrier mix bears a resemblance to a Pit Bull, which, regrettably, discourages some potential adopters due to the breed’s negative stereotypes.
Nevertheless, despite the challenges, the shelter team remains dedicated to finding a good future for their cherished pup.
“Our goal is to ensure that wherever he ends up, he won’t need to come back,” LaFlam stated in her discussion with Newsweek. “Having lived here for over two years, we want it to be the right match for him and the family.”
Despite the noisy and stressful shelter atmosphere, Munch is coping remarkably well and continues to hope that his perseverance will eventually be rewarded.
“He’s such a character, and we adore him,” stated Penny during her interview with KENS5. “If someone would just give him a chance, he would thrive in a home.”
Fortunately, He Resides in a “Better” Shelter
While it’s disheartening for a dog to spend their life in a shelter, things could always be worse.
Many other dogs are not fortunate enough to find themselves in a no-kill shelter like Munch’s, where dogs can stay for even a decade, ultimately finding their forever families.
Sadly, numerous dogs do not make it out of euthanizing shelters, where if they aren’t adopted swiftly, they risk being placed on the euthanasia list.
Regardless of whether the shelter is life-threatening or not, the overflow of dogs in these facilities is a pressing issue that is only growing.
According to the ASPCA, around 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. shelters every year, with approximately 3.1 million being dogs and 3.2 million being cats.
Each year, roughly 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized, although the total number of dogs and cats euthanized has been decreasing, which is a positive trend.
These challenges also affect the BAHS shelter, and they tackle them in various ways, from promoting animals like Munch on social media to organizing adoption events.
If you’re interested in learning more or wish to help an animal in need, you can find all the details on their official website and their Facebook page.
Ultimately, we hope this article contributes, even slightly, to raising awareness about the overwhelming number of dogs in shelters.
If this piece can serve as a catalyst for Munch or any other dog facing a similar fate, it would bring us immense joy.
Do not hesitate to assist these vulnerable creatures if you can, as sometimes, you may be their last hope.
