Poachers Leaving Elephant Orphans

(CBS) This story was first broadcast on Dec. 21, 2008. It was updated on April 23, 2009

(CBS) Dame Daphne has been running the elephant orphanage for almost 30 years. She was born and raised in Kenya, and married David Sheldrick, Africa’s leading crusader against poaching. After his death in 1977, Dame Daphne founded the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Help David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Now!

Original CBS article Abused Animals Animal Abuse Awareness

Pet Adoption: Adopting an Abused Animal

Every year thousands of animals are neglected by their owners, left in the middle of nowhere to fend for themselves, abused by being beaten or chained outside with no water or food. They are kept in pens so small they have no room to move around and sleep and walk in their own feces. These animals become shy, afraid, and even aggressive. They are rescued and taken to shelters to receive medical treatment and eventually are evaluated to see if they can be adopted. Sadly, some will not pass the evaluation because of their previous situation, or because they are in such poor health they die.

However, most animals in shelters or that have been rescued, may just need a little tender love and care to completely recover, once they receive any medical care needed. They may just need socialization or time to mature or just time to recover emotionally. Once they have recovered, you may find a pet more devoted and loyal, than a pet that comes from a non-abusive home. Just remember these animals have come from abusive situations and sometimes they will become scared from loud noises or anger in a voice or just a raised hand. Be patient and yes they will need extra attention.

Abused animals can be adopted, but before you make that decision, make sure you have considered all the possibilities. Be honest with yourself and your situation if you are considering adopting a pet from an abusive home. Pets are costly, time consuming and can be destructive if you don’t get them properly trained and remember that doesn’t happen overnight and with abused animals it may take longer than one that hasn’t been abused. It is a life long responsibility to take care of any animal and not something to be taken lightly. Rescue shelters require an adoption application to be completed by the person adopting. It is a requirement that they fully investigate any person or household that is adopting an animal that has been rescued to make sure they are not returning to a similar situation. The rescues must make sure that they are going to good homes where they will be well treated and loved.

Be responsible, don’t just get a pet and expect them to take care of themselves! Get them the proper medical attention, vaccinations and have them neutered or spayed. Make sure they have warm places in the winter, cool places in the summer and a dry place when it is wet. They love you unconditionally, and all they expect in return is a belly rub or a pat on the head. It is little they ask for, but sometimes, it costs them greatly.

Animals Need Foster Care Too

You read or hear on the news at least monthly of animals being rescued from someone or some place where the animals have just been left to fend for themselves. The problem is usually, that the call comes too late for some of the animals to be saved. They have been left in pens that are too small for them to move, no food, and no water, walking in their own feces. You have all seen the pictures of great big dogs walking around and their bones almost poking through what skin they have left. People don’t think things through sometimes, and think that raising dogs, cats or any animal for resell is easy and inexpensive. They are dead wrong and sometime death of the animals is the outcome.

Organizations in the immediate area do what they can to get the animals help and some are even available for homes within just days. However, sometimes, depending on the number of animals rescued and the type of animals the organizations like the local humane society chapters or the county or city shelters, may not have enough room to keep all the rescued pets. Another issue is the health and socialization of the animal.

Becoming a foster parent for an animal could mean the difference between life and death for some animals when they are unadoptable right away. When animals are too sick, too young or don’t behave well around other animals and people, they are sometimes placed in foster homes. This gives the animals or pets time to heal, grow up some more and learn to interact with people and other animals. Foster care pets or animals once they are adoptable can be kept by the foster family or the foster care parents can run ads through the shelters like the human society or maybe even pet stores that run adoptions, for a permanent home.

To become a foster care parent for animals, you must be able to provide a clean and safe environment, food, vaccinations, and anything the veterinarian from the shelter has required for the animal to become healthy. This is the foster homes responsibility not only to provide for these items, but to cover the costs as most shelters don’t have the funds or resources to provide an unlimited supply.

If you are interested in being a foster parent for animals in your area, you can check with the humane society or a local chapter. You might also check with local veterinarians and animal shelters through the county. Remember however, just like with children, animals need attention, love, food and care for survival. Don’t just jump in without talking it over with your spouse, significant other or the rest of the household. It is a big responsibility and your rewards will be great! The unconditional love of an animal.