Shelter Systems Run As Profit Shelters

In my area, and in some personal knowledge about someone in the area who purchased a shelter, I believe and I think it may be common knowledge among those in the shelter industry, that there is a trend going on to make profit on the non-profit industries. Shelters these days have basically, in my opinion, replaced pet stores. This is where the worse than puppy mill puppies go to these days. And I am not saying I don't like shelter dogs, I do. I wish I could go in and adopt a mixed breed, but my husbands allergies do prevent this for me. And now I have fallen in love with the Doberman, and don't think I will be able to break the cycle. Sorry digressed there. I know that I have seen actual internet advertisements that suggest ways to make your shelter a "profit" business. Now some shelters do this in a better way, as I believe Sue Engel's shelter may, by providing training to adult dogs. That being said, I have never met Sue or gone to her shelter. But the things that she seems to be doing and have started are more in line with what I would support at a shelter. That being said a shelter that is providing a trained dog, with fees added on for this service, is probably providing for itself. While these new profitable "non-profits" are making enough with their fees, and still targeting the community for "donations". I have requested the tax records on non-profits in the area this year, as with reduced income, I need to consider my contributions more carefully. I was astounded to see the cash in the bank, and payroll some of these places had. (I am actually not just talking animal shelters here, but other types of non-profits as well). I think there, and believe I remember from my education, that non- profits that do not accept money from the government, do not necessarily have strict stipulations on how much can be accumulated. Or how it can be disbursed (salaries et---and I am not saying shelter workers should not be paid a fair wage). The Red Cross or Human Shelter Organizations, for instance, have very strict regulations that include mandatory audits (annually at least) of how and where and how much and in what ratio their money goes. Why are puppies producing more revenue when they are not purebreds? Everyone (thinks they) want a puppy. Few people want to actually research what they are doing. Shelter is a simple place to go. Now plenty of puppies available there from 150-300. One day spur of the moment shopping. Puppies end up being untrained dogs, go to different shelter, fate is later decided there. This is something that I haven't seen discussed too much. And so I did want to share my opinions on it, because I think it's important. And I am not saying I don't want to save the poor puppies from Virigina or Georgia that make it too Massachusetts. I am just pointing out something that is happening in our shelter systems, that I don't think is talked about too much. A good thing that I think is happening, is with networking, the computer, and pet finder, dogs and puppies that are found in areas where they might be likely to be euthanized, are being picked up and transported (sometimes) to areas where they are more likely to find the appropriate home. As with anything, it's six of one, and a half dozen of another.