An undercurrent exists in some animal shelters. It undermines the mission of the individuals trying to save animals and the loving families searching for a pet to call their own. This undercurrent is hard to define. Call it apathy, call it arrogance. I saw it repeatedly during our multiple visits with Bruiser.

Remember that we were visiting Bruiser two times each day during the 6-day holding period. As a "stray," Bruiser was required to wait to allow his previous owner the opportunity to claim him. What we saw during these 6 days created a situation of anger and disillusionment.

We had to bite our tongues. We had to control our anger when out of the blue, visiting hours ended despite the hours being clearly posted on the front door of the shelter. And, I'll point out, said visiting hours were recited to us by the director of the shelter on Bruiser's first day of captivity. I call it captivity because there's simply no other way to describe the hard floor, chain link fence or quaking fear of an animal confined in that hell-hole.

As a lifelong animal lover and owner, I know my own capabilities. I provide high quality, all-natural foods for my pets and treat them like family members. Most pet owners allow their four-legged companions to rule the roost.  Yes, some owners hoard and start dog-fighting rings. But for the most part, our dogs, cats, birds, turtles, snakes and other critters get cared for properly.

My poor impression begins with tiny incidents that seemed minor at the time. When placed together, it paints a rather unflattering picture of the people that work at the shelter. Yes, I do commiserate that their job is a hard one. However, people seeking to adopt are the GOOD GUYS. We shouldn't be treated as fools or second class citizens.

New rules popped up every day, sometimes in the same day between a morning and afternoon visit. The arrogance of one handler was so bad, she refused to hand my mother a dog bone to feed Bruiser in the courtyard. Instead, she held it out, yanked it back and then passed it to another handler to give to my mother. In another instance, I asked her specifically how he was eating, drinking and defecating. She informed me that she didn't have to give me that information. I held my tongue because above all, these people give off the impression that they hold the key to the adoption success.

I calmly told this woman I was a foster parent for a rescue organization and I was there as their representative. She backed off enough to tell me Bruiser was eating, drinking and doing his business in his cage. I believe the drinking part but I certainly don't believe the rest. Every visit, he would do his doggy thing on the courtyard grass. When a dog pees for a full minute, it's a sure thing he's been holding it for awhile. As in the entire day.

My worry mounted by day 2 when I found out Bruiser was reacting poorly to being caged. He had always been given the freedom to run in a back yard by his previous owner. The dog was scared, trembling and growling when approached by anyone other than my family. The handlers took an immediate disliking to Bruiser and we were required to sign "bite release" forms before visits. The attitude of the handlers caused me to fear for Bruiser's life.

It was like arguing with the airline clerk at the ticket counter when you have to get reservations. That person holds the key to your happiness. My feeling of dread increased enough for me to call a friend with the rescue organization to beg for their intervention. One of the heads of the rescue organization called to investigate. And thankfully put a protective order on dog #241. Bruiser was safe from pettiness, arrogance and apathy. All we had to do was wait.

Bruiser was only walked when we visited him, since he was considered "aggressive."  Volunteer dog walkers come in to give the dogs some exercise. Not Bruiser. He was alone in his cage and never walked unless we were visiting. I asked if anyone had taken him out every time we visited. Bruiser was only walked by us during his entire stay.

You can feel the arrogance around some of the handlers. Now, I'm not knocking all of them…just some of them. These folks feel only they have knowledge about proper animal care. Call it animal snobbery. Call it plain nastiness, jealousy or whatever. It exists and it's real. And I believe it might keep some people from returning to the shelter to adopt a pet.

Compassion and caring for the animals and potential adoptive parents need to be every shelter's highest priority. To chase away one adoptive family means the possible loss of one animal. As my father said, the shelter was like a fiefdom. The isolation and guarded attitude of the handlers as well as the erratic behavior defeats the very mission of an animal shelter.

Read the first part of Bruiser's story here:  http://www.xomba.com/foreclosed_pets_bruisers_story_part_1

You'll find part 2 here:  http://www.xomba.com/foreclosure_pets_bruisers_story_part_2