Differences Between a Pound and an Animal Shelter

If we come across an abandoned dog, we might need to turn to an organization to take it in. But leaving a dog at a pound isn't the same as leaving it at a shelter.

Let's look at the most important differences between these entities. Knowing all this information, we'll know where it's best to leave an abandoned dog so it has a new chance at being adopted.

Public Pounds and Private Shelters

Generally, pounds tend to be run by city councils, provincial governments, or regional authorities. This means they're basically funded with public money. Because of this, they're required to take in every dog that shows up within their jurisdiction. Even though they're public, their management sometimes goes out to tender.

This explains why some are actually run by protective associations. They typically have several staff members and a vet, and operate during morning hours. Shelters, on the other hand, are private. They're non-governmental organizations made up of private individuals who voluntarily take in and care for abandoned dogs.

The roles they fill usually aren't paid, and are carried out in their free time. They can take in dogs from anywhere, but they're not legally required to. Some receive grants, but their main source of income is members and activities like flea markets. They operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Pound vs Shelter: Same Care for the Dogs?

At pounds, veterinary care is minimal. Although it's common for them to have a vet on staff, they often only come in for a few hours. And it's always insufficient for such a high number of dogs — 400 or 600 — since, remember, they're required to take in more than their capacity allows.

That's why sick, injured, very young, nursing, or elderly dogs have a high risk of dying, or being euthanized. Shelters, on the other hand, take in dogs in any condition. They bottle-feed the youngest puppies, perform surgery on fractures, see specialists, work with animal behaviorists, follow long-term treatments, and so on.

None of this happens at typical pounds, and it comes with a huge financial and logistical cost. On top of that, dogs at pounds are handed over to anyone who pays the set adoption fee. Shelters follow a protocol and require specific conditions before handing over a dog. Shelters don't euthanize.

Foster Homes

Pounds are facilities, larger or smaller, divided into yards and kennels. The floors are concrete, and food can consist of bones handed out to everyone. Dogs don't go for walks, or only do so occasionally. It's easy for the facility's capacity to be overwhelmed. Overcrowding causes conflicts that end in fights and deaths.

It's a very favorable environment for spreading infectious and parasitic diseases. Shelters can also have this type of facility, but some have another form of housing — temporary foster homes. These are private individuals' homes who take care of dogs while they haven't found a permanent home yet.

The shelter usually covers the costs and handles veterinary follow-up, promotion, and adoption paperwork. This way, they take in dogs that need care impossible to provide in a shelter facility — nursing puppies, recently operated-on dogs, sick dogs, or ones needing psychological support. This lets them get to know the dog well and advise future adopters properly.

Where to Adopt a Dog?

Comparing the living conditions of dogs housed at pounds versus those taken in by shelters, if our goal is to truly help, we'd choose the first option. Dogs that've reached the legal holding period, puppies, sick dogs, or very old ones face a risk of dying or being euthanized if they're at a pound.

That said, sometimes, given our particular living situation, we need information about the dog to bring it into our home with enough assurance. In that case, we'd lean toward adopting from a shelter. And we can always help them by spreading the word, becoming a member, or sponsoring one of their dogs.