Hi, My name is Shelbie. I am 8 years old, I've been at HSEP for 5 years and the self appointed mascot and greeter at the Humane Society of El Paso.Read More
Shelbie's Story
Hi, My name is Shelbie. I am 6 years old and the self appointed mascot and greeter at the Humane Society of El Paso. Back in 2008 I had a home, but my person got pregnant and decided that she couldn't keep me any more. So, she took me to the old Humane Society and asked them to find me a new home. I did not understand why she left me there, in that strange old place. It was so loud and the other dogs were all stressed out by the noise. I watched and waited for my person to come back every day, but she didn't come. I was scared, lonely and very depressed.
One day I was taken out, put on a leash and led to a car. I'm going home, I thought! But no, I was taken to a new place and put in a new cage. This cage was bigger and it didn't have a cover over the top so I decided to jump over the kennel cage and go check things out. I talked with the other dogs and found out that all of us had been taken there by the person who was supposed to care for us forever. We all had stories to tell, some more horrible than others and some very sad. And, we all wanted one thing more than anything else - a real home where we would be loved and wanted.
I didn't like being cooped up in that cage so I started jumping out whenever I wanted. I made lots of doggie friends and greeted the staff at the gate when they came in the morning. Every morning they told me I was bad for getting out, but I didn't care. I didn't want to be here and if I had to be, then I was going to roam free! Then, they started putting me in the cat kennel at night. So, I taught myself how to open the door. After they started locking the door, I taught myself how to open the window. Then, they locked the window. I was trapped!
Every morning when the staff came to let me out, I greeted them, wagging my tail as hard as I could. I jumped up on them to say "hello" and I helped them clean. Sometimes, the nice director lady would let me hang out in her cool office (it was summer time outside). She would tell me how pretty I was and she would rub my belly when I rolled over asking for attention. Once in a while she would give me a treat. So I started following her around and decided to adopt her as my new person. I hung out with her as much as I could. Sometimes the staff would take me with them for a ride and I helped do deliveries and pick-ups. But, every night I had to go back to the cat kennel to spend the long, lonely night. I would tuck my tail, put my big ears flat against my head and sulk and protest, but it was to no avail. I hated that cat kennel!
Then one day the director lady said, "Shelbie would you like to come home with me for the weekend?" HOME, HOME, oh yes please! Now I get to go home with her every night. I sleep close to her, right up there on the pillows. I take good care of her; I protect her and I love her. I come to work every day because I have a very important job here at the Humane Society. I finally found everything I wanted in life, a good home, a person who loves me, a good job and lots and lots of friends.
Life for me is great, but I still have lots of friends here who need a home. Please come to the Humane Society and pick one of them to love. They need a home too!
The Humane Society of El Paso (HSEP) was establlished in 1947 for the purpose of preventing cruelty to animals, eliminating sick and rabid animals from the streets so children and pets would be protected from disease, and to build a shelter for the care of homeless, unwanted and abused pets.
The HSEP is the oldest and largest animal shelter in the City and County of El Paso, Texas and has remained in continuious operation for over 64 years. The HSEP is a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and does not receive any funding from the City of El Paso, the State of Texas, or the federal government. The HSEP is not affiliated with any national organization, and it is not a member agency of the United Way of El Paso. The HSEP is totally dependent on adoption and service fees, fund raising activities, donations from the community and grants for all operating expenses.
Until 2009, the HSEP was the only "open door" animal shelter in the city, which meant that the HSEP did not turn away any pet being surrendered by the owner unless the animal was very ill or extremely agressive. A sad result of that policy meant that the HSEP was considered a "kill" shelter and we had a very high euthanasia rate.
Fortunately, in 2009 the Board of Directors determined a new direction was called for and took the dynamic step of becoming a no-kill shelter. On January 1, 2010, the Humane Society of El Paso opened its doors with a new philosophy and business model as a no-kill shelter. As a result, we have expanded our veterinary protocols to manage and treat a variety of ailments that in the past would have meant a death sentence for an innocent animal.
Last year we took in over 2600 unwanted pets and re-homed 2700 animals that were in our care. The majority of our animal residents are given to us by thier owners who, for a variety of reasons, can no longer care for them or no longer want to. When space premits, we will pull animals for death row at the local City Animal Control facility.
The HSEP has an onsite spay/neuter clinic and, in accordance with state law, all pets adopted from the HSEP are surgically sterilized prior to release to the new guardian, It costs us approximately $25.00 per day per animal to provide food, shelter and veterinary care for an animal entrusted to our protection.
The Humane Society of El Paso (HSEP) was establlished in 1947 for the purpose of preventing cruelty to animals, eliminating sick and rabid animals from the streets so children and pets would be protected from disease, and to build a shelter for the care of homeless, unwanted and abused pets.
The HSEP is the oldest and largest animal shelter in the City and County of El Paso, Texas and has remained in continuious operation for over 64 years. The HSEP is a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and does not receive any funding from the City of El Paso, the State of Texas, or the federal government. The HSEP is not affiliated with any national organization, and it is not a member agency of the United Way of El Paso. The HSEP is totally dependent on adoption and service fees, fund raising activities, donations from the community and grants for all operating expenses.
Until 2009, the HSEP was the only "open door" animal shelter in the city, which meant that the HSEP did not turn away any pet being surrendered by the owner unless the animal was very ill or extremely agressive. A sad result of that policy meant that the HSEP was considered a "kill" shelter and we had a very high euthanasia rate.
Fortunately, in 2009 the Board of Directors determined a new direction was called for and took the dynamic step of becoming a no-kill shelter. On January 1, 2010, the Humane Society of El Paso opened its doors with a new philosophy and business model as a no-kill shelter. As a result, we have expanded our veterinary protocols to manage and treat a variety of ailments that in the past would have meant a death sentence for an innocent animal.
Last year we took in over 3840 unwanted pets and re-homed 3876 animals that were in our care. The majority of our animal residents are given to us by thier owners who, for a variety of reasons, can no longer care for them or no longer want to. When space premits, we will pull animals for death row at the local City Animal Control facility.
The HSEP has an onsite spay/neuter clinic and, in accordance with state law, all pets adopted from the HSEP are surgically sterilized prior to release to the new guardian, It costs us approximately $25.00 per day per animal to provide food, shelter and veterinary care for an animal entrusted to our protection.
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