Not your mother’s animal shelter

After decades of innovation, sheltering has progressed far beyond its ‘dog pound’ roots

By Bethany Wynn Adams
Animal Sheltering magazine

“Pound” was once an innocuous word.

In the 18th century, towns held wandering farm animals in stone enclosures until they could be reclaimed for a fine or sold at the local market. Still standing in parts of England and the U.S., these modest holding spots were known as “pinfolds” or “pounds.”