More detailed statistics with yearly and monthly breakdowns are available.
However, generally speaking, since 2003 we have taken in 574 dogs, the vast majority from the city shelter where a large proportion was on the euthanasia list originally. 18 were euthanized under the care of WTR when deemed to be unhealthy and untreatable. 521 are happily living new lives.
Successful adoptions by year:
2003- 21 adoptions
2005-138 adoptions
2006-137 adoptions
2007 121 adoptions
We pull most of our dogs from the city shelter.
Our dogs are in loving foster homes, never cages until they are adopted.
We adopt all of our dogs out to individual homes after foster care.
If a dog needs significant medical care or behavioral intervention prior to being 'adoptable', we provide it.
We are proud to say that we have NEVER returned difficult cases to the city shelter.
We are a No Kill organization. The only animals that are euthanized are animals that are deemed unhealthy and untreatable. This decision is always made by multiple people (WTR board members, the foster parent, and at least one trained expert such as a behaviorist or veterinarian, as is appropriate). Euthanasia is considered after all treatment options have been exhausted. The quality of life of the animal and not forcing it to suffer pain from which no relief can be expected are usually the only factors that go into a euthanasia decision, with protection of the public being considered only in the most intractable cases of unpredictable and dangerous aggression.
Here is a typical year in more detail. In 2006 we took in 119 dogs from the shelter. 11 dogs from the public, and 2 dogs in transfer from other organizations. One dog died in foster care, 3 were euthanized, and we successfully adopted out 137 dogs in 2006.
