At theTown of Smithtown Animal Shelter, Leigh Wixson, a vet tech and animal shelter supervisor, has heard just about every pet misconception imaginable about shelter animals, and wishes the public understood how different the truth really is.
“Pit bulls have locking jaws; male cats will spray all over your house; shelter animals always have behavioral problems,” she said. “These myths persist, but they simply aren’t rooted in fact.”
Take the so-called locking jaw myth — there is no anatomical mechanism that allows pit bull-type dogs to lock their jaws. It is a rumor that has lingered far longer than science supports. Likewise, the belief that all male cats spray is misleading. Neutered males are far less likely to spray, and many never do. Behavior is shaped by environment, stress and whether the animal has been altered, not by blanket assumptions.
One of the most damaging myths, Wixson said, is that animals are surrendered because they are “bad” or problematic. In reality, most pets arrive due to life changes.
“Someone moves,” she said. “A landlord enforces breed or weight restrictions. A family underestimates the cost of pet ownership, including how much time and consistency animals require.”
While some animals do come in with behavior challenges, most issues could have been addressed early with training and commitment. Shelters assess animals and begin working with them, but Wixson is candid: “Shelters are not where problems are resolved,” she said.
The environment is noisy and stressful, with limited mental and physical stimulation. Dogs often operate in a fight-or-flight state. In a stable home, with time to decompress, many undesirable behaviors fade.
The same is true for cats. A timid, shut-down cat in a kennel may blossom into a social and affectionate companion once placed in a calm and predictable home. You cannot always judge who they are in a shelter setting. Many just need time to feel safe.
Another common myth: can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Reality is, many times, it’s easier! Older dogs often have better focus than puppies. The key is not age, but consistency. Training is not one and done. It requires daily reinforcement and follow-through from everyone in the household.
“Dogs are intelligent and like to learn,” Wixson said, adding that even well-mannered pets benefit from professional guidance to strengthen the bond with their new family.
Source: LI Press
