Have you ever noticed that you never meet a grouchy hound dog? Hounds are among the friendliest dogs you will ever know — always happy, always loving, and just as eager to befriend another dog as they are a person.
During the winter months, the Aiken County Animal Shelter sees a familiar pattern. Our kennels begin to fill with hounds — those happy howlers with long ears, soulful eyes, and wagging tails.
When hunting season ends, dogs that don’t make “good hunters” are often left behind to fend for themselves. Hounds are incredible scent dogs, bred to track deer and other animals for miles. But when they are lost or abandoned, those instincts don’t help them survive on their own. Many arrive at the shelter skinny, confused, and unsure why the people they depended on never came back.
Despite how wonderful they are, finding homes for hounds can be harder than you might think. Are they amazing dogs? Absolutely. Are they sweet, affectionate, and loyal? Without a doubt. But yes — they bark. As Aiken continues to grow and neighborhoods become more crowded, not everyone appreciates the sound of a hound’s voice.
What many people don’t realize is that hounds don’t need to live outside. Many beagles and coonhounds are just as happy curled up on the couch as they are sniffing around the backyard. With love, patience, and understanding, they make incredible family pets.
We all know that beagles are often used for animal testing because of their gentle nature and desire to please. Knowing this makes it even harder to understand how such kind, trusting dogs can be abandoned or mistreated.
Each year, the Aiken County Animal Shelter takes in more than 5,000 dogs and cats. It’s impossible not to notice the patterns — hunting dogs abandoned in the winter, furless pit bulls suffering through the summer heat. Neglect, sadly, seems to follow the seasons.
But behind every statistic is a dog waiting for someone to see them for who they truly are. And hounds? They’re just waiting to love someone again.
Their Lives Are In Our Hands.
By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator