Being in a shelter can be highly stressful for dogs, and some dogs exhibit physical signs of distress. This is known as kennel stress, and a woman named Emily who works at the Town of Hempstead shelter shared a video of what dogs with kennel stress looks like.
You might want to grab a tissue for this one because it’ll break your heart. Make sure your sound is on so you can hear the chaos and noise that these dogs have to deal with 24/7 while they’re in the shelter. It’s so sad!
@emilyandreuzzi I’ll never understand why people would buy and not want to save a life. Give a dog a second chance at life. Once you visit a shelter you’ll feel their pain. You’ll want to help-please consider volunteering, donating, or fostering/adopting. @TOHAnimalShelter https://hempsteadny.gov/179/Animal-Shelter #adoptdontshop #breederskillshelterdogs #fyp #shelter #rescue #dog #puppy
Emily says in the video’s caption, “I’ll never understand why people would buy and not want to save a life. Give a dog a second chance at life. Once you visit a shelter you’ll feel their pain. You’ll want to help-please consider volunteering, donating, or fostering/adopting.”
Although Emily’s video got less than a million likes, people left nearly 17 thousand comments. Many of them left comments like @jbrd, “Poor guys. Breaks my heart.” @Dani pointed out, “Their little eyes. My heart!”
@Deft shared, “Just think…these are the dogs we see…imagine the thousands who don’t make it…they all desperately need our help fam…Please boost, re-post, adopt, foster, share, comment, like and donate time at your local shelter…you can make a difference. Save them all.”
Related: Precious Dog Who’s Been in and Out of Shelter 5 Times Will Break Anyone’s Heart
Signs of Kennel Stress in Dogs
Emily shared in the video a few of the signs of kennel stress. They include repeatedly walking in circles, excessive panting, and licking the kennel walls.
Doggysaurus explains more, “Boarding kennel stress is a generic term used for when dogs encounter a state of mental or emotional strain and tension during or after a kennel stay. It can manifest in a number of ways including aggression, fear, anxiety, shaking, whining, or other noticeable changes in behavior.”
Pets Best Insurance offers these tips for those people who have to board their fur baby for any reason:
• Visit your dog’s kennel before you leave town to make sure it’s run properly and it will be staffed at all hours by a knowledgeable staff.
• Ask to leave your dog for just a few hours a day first, to ensure he’s comfortable there before the big trip.
• When you drop off your dog, include his favorite food, treats, toy, and bedding
• Include an unwashed blanket or shirt of your own for an added familiar scent
If you’re looking for a new pet, consider visiting a local shelter or rescue organization first. There are so many amazing dogs waiting for their forever homes, and you can save a life by adopting one of them.