🔴Watch the episode with Brian James, a graduate of the Pawsitive Change ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Y2P7BGXDD8s.html 📌Got a story to share? Email us Siyamak@californiainsider.com ⭕Join CA Insider newsletter: bit.ly/Cainsidernews
My dog of 16 years died and i wanted one from the shelter. It was too expensive and to many hoops to jump thru! Too bad. I finally got a rescue dog free from a foster family. Hes my wonderful forever dog! Yes hes been to the vet. Ive had him neutered , shots and got all the care he needs. He loves me and very loving sweet pet. Someone could have saved one with me if their rules werent so overboard for seniors pocketbooks.
Shelters are so full now they are constantly holding adoption fees waived events. There’s a nationwide program that happens annual, someone is sponsoring it. I forget who but it’s a whole month many shelters participate in where adoption is free.
I lost one of my precious fur babies Sept. 2022. Went to the local pound on free adoption day to get a dog or kitten but they were complete jerks, wanted $ which I could not afford at the time. I just wanted to give a great life to one of them but I was treated so bad I left sad, defeated and angry. What the hell is wrong with some of these shelters 😡 They get lots of $ donations so they should not be charging loving, caring adopters who just want to give them a wonderful home.
Zach, you have my heart because God has instilled in you the things that I too have thought about and felt would solve lots of issues in our society. God gave us dogs to enhance our lives and help us grow our spirit and feel love. We are missing something if we don’t recognize and follow through with his ideas. Great interview Siamak
It's so bad here in the central valley of California. At a yard sale I was drawn the friendly cats, I love cats and spoil mine, the people giving the yard sale told me their neighbor had a home built in Carmel, moved and simply left them behind. People here are extremely irresponsible!
I have gone to our local animal shelter many times over the years intending to adopt but all they ever have are bully breeds. Many of them act very vicious and I came to the conclusion that they bring in dogs that can't be adopted in other shelters. I never have seen a small dog there. As I have goats, chickens, cats, horses a pet rabbit and 2 adopted children I do not want a dog with a high prey drive. I wanted a farm type dog that I a can be nearly 100% certain will not harm the other animals or children. I finally gave up on adopting from the shelter and bought 2 border collie pups. True to their breeding they have never attempted to harm any of the other animals. In fact the two chickens would come up on the porch and steal the pups food while the pups stood back and watched. Later I bought 2 Great Pyrenees pups which I had flown to me in Alaska. I wanted them to protect the kids and other animals from bears and possibly wolves. I tried to adopt border collies and the Great Pyrenees but as an Alaskan resident the rescue people all want a person to do an in person visit before they will allow you to adopt. They often want the dog to be introduced to any other dogs you have too. I cannot do those things. I have had dogs my entire life and I spay and neuter. I also know how to introduce dogs and teach them to get along. Plus I don't get breeds that might have a tendency to fight or harm other animals. I have never had a problem. Presently I would like yo get a couple little house dogs. I would prefer older ones because I'm getting older and I don't want the dogs to outlive me. I had 4 little dogs but they all died over the last couple years. I had to put them down one by one as they had reached the end of their lives. They all lived between 15 years and 18 years. I know how to take good care of dogs but I can't find and will not be allowed to adopt one that I know will fit in with my human and animal family. And I want an older dog that would be harder to find a home for. It's hard for me to feel sorry for the people whining about not being able to find homes for the dogs. Mostly I feel sorry for the dogs.
You could have contact a rescue instead of buying from a backyard breeder also what you said about shelters is ignorant please educate yourself before make comments also shame on you for making your dogs live in doghouse in the Alaska weather
@@desertmoonlight2880 I have contacted rescues. They won't let me get a dog. I can send 20+ years of vet records to show I take good care of my dogs. I can send pictures of my 5' fence with a 2"x4" grid which sits on a 8" deep concrete foundation so dogs won't dig under. The dogs would have 1 1/2 acres to run on except when we take them out and then they have 48 acres. And I don't understand why you think my comment about shelters was ignorant. I was talking about the only shelter in my area which only has bully breeds. If they ever get a different type of dog I have never seen it there. But maybe you know more about my local shelter than I do. If you research it you will learn that many shelters ship unadaptable dogs to other shelters, especially Canada. Being in Alaska I suspect we are getting a lot of Canada's rejects. BTW I buy from people who do genetic tests on their dogs and who work hard to improve their breed. I also get DNA health tests done on all my dogs regardless of their breeding. If you have a mixed breed they will tell you what you have and that is really interesting.
There are foster/adoption websites now where you can connect with people who are rehoming. If what you said about the shelters around you are true, I know that the rehoming groups would be more flexible. It is more effort since you said you are in Alaska but I think worth it. It’s crazy but Hawaii is flying adoptable pets to the mainland (USA) by using flight volunteers (aka people already scheduled to fly into or out of Hawaii). There’s a lot of planning going into this but I suggest reaching out to Hawaii shelters. Most likely someone can fly a pet out to you once you find the right match online.
@@jessicah3782 I didn't know Hawaii was doing that, For months I donated money to the shelter there after they had that horrible fire. There were so many hurt and lost animals and they were trying to help them and keep them until the owners could get them. I bet I could get one from them! Thank you for the tip. I hope you have a great weekend and spend it with the ones you love. 😀
It’s not just a money issue. It’s a social issue. I read a CalMatters article not too long ago talking about the financial pains people are going thru that they are giving up their pets and despite extra funding being provided to shelters, more healthy animals than ever are being euthanized.
@@thewise_1one856 folks who care about other beings can come together and do so. Yes, there is a heavy presence of evil in this world, specially around the human race, but there are still good people left who an help.
Many shelters managers make over $300,000 with fancy spacious remodeled lobbies but low wage shelter workers and small concrete kennels. They need to hire more vets and provide free spay/neuter.
I have come to think that we need to build shelters in combination with people. Give each “sane” unhoused person or seniors who need assistance who loves animals a small dwelling that can house 4 animals each to care for and have young influencers promote adoptions. It can be done but this guy is correct. We are morally corrupt by tossing these animals away. It’s ridiculously immoral and wrong and brings about bad karma
@@starcatcher3691 Only bully breed mixes at my local shelter. I would only get something like a lab or golden retriever. Just because others are irresponsible doesn’t mean I need to clean up the mess.
I agree 💯 I have rescued several animals from shelters. All of them have been my best buddies. Our society does not seem to value life anymore. Humans and animals are dispensed of like trash. I know that people are struggling financially these days, which adds to this problem. Why are our policies always taking us in the wrong direction? We need to be proactive in implementing and/or enforcing spay and neuter laws. I love animals. I spent three years driving an hour away to feed 30-50 wild geese, several times a week. I was so bonded to them and they to me. It was so tough for me to move out of state and leave them behind. I still miss them four months later. Our world would be different, if more people had healthy minds, and empathetic hearts. It is really sad what is happening. As I listened to your story, you mentioned how the dogs kept you going. Well, God has bigger plans for you, too. I had a miracle experience myself. We have more work to do here on this earth. Thank you for your service to our society and for helping the innocent, and for bringing a purpose to others.
So lets blame good breeders and reaponsible owners. The people dumping their dog aint paying 3k+ for their dog. Simple fix: ban puppy mills throughout the nation. Would raise the prices and these irresponsible owners won't waste money on a pet.
When working at Windcrest Animal Hospital they had a no kill approach. However it was sad when Munchkin had to be Euthanized because of cancer. When really ill and can’t be saved they had Euthanized.
This guy is fighting an uncultured uphill battle in the US. We don’t share a singular culture. Many immigrants come from countries where dogs and cats live wild on the streets amongst people. This is normal to them and can’t be fixed in a mixed cultural country. The only way I see, there needs to be laws to hold people accountable.
He literally said bring cultures like those in aka educate and encourage participation instead of assign blame. I spent time in one of those cultures/countries you mentioned and believe it or not people are trying to do something about it. It’s not widespread yet. Many countries just don't even have a social safety net so why would there be one for animals. It’s a process but it’s happening.
#1. Why so many Pit Bulls and other large breed dogs? Many people do not want to adopt these dogs as pets because of their reputations for being "dangerous". Whether or not their reputation is deserved or undeserved, people are still afraid of taking them on as pets. #2. People are giving up pets because of the B zxs A fhr D e - con- o me because they can't afford to feed them. #3. The cost of veterinary care and pet insurance has sky-rocketed 🐶😿🚀 People can't afford it. #4. Why is his description of the shelters uthanasia so traumatic? I've owned pets all of my life and it was always a quick calm process that literally was over in seconds with my old sick pets that had to be put down. 😢😿
I have several friends who are “crazy cat ladies” who have spent years and and their own money taking care of street cats. And what I say is if you don’t like the crazy cat lady on you block stop putting cats out on the street. We wouldn’t have a need for crazy cat ladies if people would take responsibility for their pets. Spay and neuter please.
Dogs are incredible gifts. Animal Shelters are amazing. To fix this, my instinct is to make buying dogs more expensive. I'm sure there is a significant downside to this but it will likely solve the issue greatly.
Shelters have so many requirements and want to do home inspections, background checks, and they are extremely difficult to deal with. They also only want you to live in certain areas or have unrealistic expectations. I would rather buy an animal or pick an animal up off the street than deal with a shelter. In fact I would pay for a feral cat over even walking into a shelter.
They have to be careful. There are bad people looking for cheap or free animals. No animal should ever be offered for free. People looking for dogs and cats for labs look for free / cheap animals. Also, people training fighting dogs, and psychos that like to hurt and torture animals. As well, many people might WANT a pet, but can't afford to feed / care for one. If they can't afford the adoption fee, they can't afford to have one.
They (Big Meat) will add a rider to a bill and change legislation that takes you years to achieve. Shelters keep pets off the streets but, often ruin dogs. Rescues do a better job with rehoming pets. It is a shame.
That’s because your shelter people are like weird overbearing nannies. You have a person, who’s gonna take an animal off your hands, feed and shelter it, and your staff makes you try out like you’re trying to adopt a child. Then the agency , fully funded by donations, sells the unwanted animal…they don’t even give the animal for free. Let the pet shops rise. I’ll pay the extra five hundred gladly, just to not ever talk to a person like that again.
Many renters cannot afford the ridiculous fees that landlords charge for pet deposits plus the monthly fee. They take advantage of the people because they know that they love their pets like children. What is pet rent anyway? Isn’t the pet deposit paid to cover any damage? Because of these greedy bastards the animals suffer. I would just live in my car with my pets. Forget these evil bastards
This guy is full of it. RESCUES _import_ over a million dogs per year for sale as "adoptions" (mostly street dogs from the Middle East, and bred for export in eastern Europe). This is almost twice as many as the purpose-bred dogs produced in the U.S. Yet somehow dogs bred for sale are the problem.
@@jessicah3782 CDC numbers, actually. You can look it up. Also, 55 years as a canine professional, I'm rather more aware of what goes on than someone new to the rescue industry (the only way to make money by selling dogs). Source: IRS documents that all 501(c)3 are supposed to file.
I've worked at high-kill and no-kill shelters. None are perfect but they need to be transparent and tell their community what they need to help them stop killing adoptable pets. There's an ego problem with many shelter managers who aren't willing to learn from shelters with high adoption rates, make changes or relinquish some control especially to volunteers. Other than pissing off a few veterinarians, there's no reason we can't offer free, easily accessible spay/neuter, no healthy animal turned away.
Heartbreaking. After I moved from LA to southern Oregon in 91 I spent 8 years volunteering at our animal shelter 5/7 days a week full days. It appears nothing has changed.😪
If Newsom wants to do something for Californians, he should pass a law that allows renters to have a dog or cat. Many renters have to give up surrender their pets because landlords won't allow them.
I agree, but coming from a Los Angeles native perspective, many people take advantage of the landlords when they do allow pets on their property. Usually trashed and smelling like urine, feces or even just damage of the property from these animals. Some apartments just cannot have dogs if they are too small. I get where you’re coming from but I also have seen people ruining whole rooms because of the inability to care for their dogs.
I agreed to new roommate for 1 month tryout w/ a cat. Everytime she opened the room door, it stank the hallway. The cat was never showered and the cat litter was not reguarly taken care of. I had to decline her stay because of the vomiting smell. After she left, the room took 2 months to clear the smell. I do have two feral cats that are neutered been living outdoor for over 14 yrs.
@@albertrodriguez1999 Landlords can tack on a pet deposit, along with a security deposit. Unfortunately, thoughtless and irresponsible people ruin things for everyone.
Thank you, Zach I volunteer at a city shelter and it's so heartbreaking. The staff are dedicated and loving, as evidenced by the balanced and loved dogs. Yes, they are overcrowded, and the animal- lover staff are so sad. So are the volunteers. Thank you for shedding light on this situation. You articulated the situation very well.
Thank you so much for bringing this issue to light. As he said, it is a karmic travesty. Same goes with animal "agriculture" - factory farms and slaughterhouses. Those animals are just as incredible as dogs and cats, and look what is done to them every day. Humanity needs to evolve.
Zach Skow is truly a fascinating and compassionate person with a great ability to inspire others. He has made great efforts and should receive significantly more support from politicians and civil society. With this program, California Insider has made an important and heartwarming contribution to both people and animals. Thank you for this uplifting program and greetings from Sweden!
A country whose true God is money is not capable of supporting efforts like this. The greedy, tax dodging people here believe that people like Zach should be doing this work for free. They even contribute to the problem by making housing tough, and buying up animal hospitals so they can price gouge while not actually providing care for the animals. Thank God for the few good people that exist who try very hard to repair the damage done everyday. But it is an uphill battle.
Landlords are a direct cause to this issue. And ignorance toward dogs and cats. I swear as I get older i feel like people gave gotten dumber when it comea to pets
Sure but there are also people who have to get rid of pets because they are renting or financial issues (which why would you rent a no-pets place if you could afford the sure-pets place). Honestly many people have to say goodbye to their pets and just hope someone richer will find them at the shelter. It’s a shame.
I’m a landlord who 100 percent excepts animals, but unfortunately many tenants are so irresponsible! I’ve had to replace thousands of dollars in carpet! Still, I allow pets!!
I have had tenants lock their dogs locked in their apt & they ate through the drywall into the next apt. One tenant left his dog in a small apt backyard space that ate through the outside wall into the inside because their owner left them with no food for a few weeks. Luckily a neighbor started feeding them.
What a great interview. I've worked in rescue for almost 20 years now and am very familiar with Zach and Marley's Mutts. Growing up in NH where people are actually responsible, our shelters were practically empty. CA is such a disappointment in every way, but especially when it comes to how it handles the animal crisis. I hope things do change there, but sadly, I don't expect to see it happen.
Yeah my man and me where looking at mobile home and townhome they dont allow my dog coz he is chow chow breed but he never aggressive to anybody and we train him.when young to surrond kods and adults. But we buy house instead coz we dont give up my dog at no way
I would have more pets but Vet bills are so bad I can't afford it. Paid 1200.00 to find out there was nothing wrong. Doesn't matter if you buy or adopt. Contacts say they had to give up their pets because they can't afford them.
As someone who has gotten 10 abandoned cats fixed and adopted just in the last year, he is right we need to have more ability of the community to get pets fixed. There is not real low cost spay neuter program. Sure there are feral programs but no friendly programs. People would be willing to pay on a sliding scale for spay neuter but there are none.
Find out if your local animal shelter has a program called Trap and release (TNR). We have been trapping 2 cats a time. Feral or tame they will spay or neuter for free.
You're right. Our shelter took over our s/n clinic then ran it into the ground, now there's really no true 'affordable' options. I use to TNR and rescue, now sadly the overpopulation problem is back where it was 20 years ago.
Missouri is the puppy mill capitol of the country, and churches on every corner. Was told by a farm boy, "animals are money to us, that is it". Make a law against that puppy mills.
Agree 100% with everything you said Zach 👍 Thank you for bringing attention to this growing, very urgent and important matter ❤️ All I have to say, humans really suck 😡 but that karma will come back to them.
So many people got dogs during the pandemic lockdown. Unfortunately when it ended, they no longer wanted them or no longer wanted the responsibility to take care of them so they dump them or abandon them 😡 Some humans are the worst 👎Love what you are doing, you are an angel ❤😇🙏
Yes most landlords don’t accept pets anymore!!! And I agree is a lot of people that don’t care about caring about pets destroying properties, but at the end they can make them responsible, not returning the deposit, checking the property constantly stuff like that .
Our tax dollars pay for animal control. Why can't our tax dollars pay for spaying and nuturing? I bet the expenses will even out. The more spaying and nuturing provided the less animal control services needed. We can have expeciallly trained persons who do just that and don't need a whole vet degree to qualify, which would futher reduce costs. Society can change.
Zach, you are a Hero of our time! Your story is compelling and your daily life is testimony! 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾Thank you!! Plus a big thanks to your family and entire rescue / training team. Absolutely stellar! Shared! Grateful 🙏for your leadership and charge to make a difference. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Another problem is society is hostle towards pet ownership. Just try to find a rental that allows pets. And if you are homeless just try to find a shelter where you can keep your pet. They are making laws that demand homeless people give up their best friends to be killed, in return for a limited time bunkbed which will throw them out completely in two months anyway. And don't say don't get a dog if you are homeless, they are wandering the streets starving. Get out of your selfish, sheltered middle class bubble.
When you have an animal enter your life it is for keeps. No Amds, ifs, or buts. You’ve heard the stories of dogs and cats traveling hundreds, even thousands of miles to reunite with their human families. Wit’s tough when you become homeless with your animal. You can go to a shelter but your dog cannot. In that case I chose my dog as there was no way I was going to give him up. To complicate matters my teenager got caught driving our vehicle and it was impounded for one month. I cannot even begin to tell you all the maneuvers I had to pull off during that one month for the two of us. We stayed up all night at a Kinkos FedEx and during the day we slept in an upstairs office of an auto body shop. To this day I am grateful to the owner Manny for his help. You keep your animal no matter what.
I do see them on LA county shelter sites but you probably should check the sites daily. I do see older ones (like 8 - 10 or older) end up on urgent lists but usually rescued.
It occurs to me that 'sense of responsibility' is really what Zach was talking about. Much of today's society thinks too much of 'privilege' while too little of 'responsibility' that comes together with 'privilege'. More privilege means more responsibility. I dare to suggest that if everyone has the right sense of responsibility, we'd see lot less social issues we're seeing today.
