Speed Dating For Dogs: A New Opportunity To Rescue Animals?

Move over, lonely humans. Dogs have entered the speed dating arena.

Kerry Sanders reports for The Today Show that dogs are now speed dating, "like so many single people just looking for some love." The distinction is that for these dogs, finding a date may mean the difference between life and death.

For the date featured in this video, about a dozen homeless dogs prepare for the speed dating session, with the ultimate goal of finding these dogs a caring owner who will adopt them.

According to Sanders, "This fun underscores a serious problem in the U.S. Too many dogs, not enough owners."

The Humane Society estimates that 3-4 millions dogs and cats are euthanized in the U.S. each year.

Animal activists are fighting to combat this problem through a variety of methods. Dog adoption, as encouraged in speed dating, has been popularized in recent years, and online sites such as Petfinder.com and ASPCA have made it easier than ever for interested owners to adopt.

While some people still look to breeders, many others have turned against them. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals released an ad campaign that went so far as to blame pet owners who purchase a dog, asking, "If you buy a dog, what will you do with the shelter dog you kill?"

According to the Associated Press, animal experts believe spaying and neutering has actually played the biggest role in saving lives.

Some organizations are getting more creative. 600million.org is an organization working on an animal sterilization pill to control the animal population, and in turn, reduce animal abuse and killings.

And now, there's speed dating. As Sanders concludes, "Speed dating for dogs -- Because for so many of these guys, time is running out."

WATCH:

Comments

[daniel ch moran]

04:54 PM on 08/18/2011

Sounds like a good deal to me!!

[Sarah Wolfgrammm]

02:01 PM on 08/15/2011

This headline was pretty funny, but it sounds like a good time. Anyways any suggestions on blogs with further information on dog adoptions. I'm talking about like experiences with particular services and what not? Thanks.

http://bullysticksfordogs.com/

[dancingdogblog]

12:57 AM on 08/13/2011

Sorry to splash cold water on one of your links, but it's important that people know *not* to donate to Alex Pacheco's (retired co-founder of PeTA) 600million.org unless and until he states who he is raising funds for.

It is not for Senestech, the company he originally set this website up for as a kind of "middleman" to tap into the generosity of the dog loving community. The product Senestech has been developing is called ChemSpay and is no where near ready to market...and it's not the FDA's fault. There are efficacy and safety concerns. Senestech may not have liked the way Pacheco characterized their product and it's stage of development as being nearly ready to market, but whatever the reason, the company broke their association with him and with 600million.org. So those funds that have been raised and are being raised now - where are they going?

If you want to look into what's really happening in this very interesting field of a single dose solution to spay/neuter, I did a podcast interview with the executive director of FoundAnimals.org which you can find on my blog which is my username here. Aimee Gilbreath, E.D., also answers my question about Pacheco and 600million.org on the podcast.

[trueblueredstater]

09:43 PM on 08/12/2011

Here in the South some organizations are shipping our shelter dogs to the North....where there are apparently more adoption opportunities. It seems to be a regional thing, but down here folks don't get their pets spayed or neutered as much as people do up north. As a consequence, the shelter dogs down here are more typical of what you used to find in 'the pound', as the more troubled dogs are a smaller percentage of the total.
I adopted a stray about three years ago - it has been a long hard slog, but we seem to have worked through his behavioral issues - which stemmed from him being abandoned and nearly starving to death. He is definitely worth the effort - nothing makes you laugh like a dog!

Be responsible - Spay & Neuter!

[Chlowina]

10:47 PM on 08/12/2011

We lived in GA for 3 months about 16 years and wild packs of dogs were a big issue. The vets down there were begging people to have their critters neutered but most didn't want to be bothered. It was actually a big issue and people were getting attacked.

Good for you for adopting. We always wound up with someone's cast-off. And the next one will be that pound puppy.

[Susan Osterhout Troiano]

10:00 AM on 08/15/2011

Yes this is true that many, many animals come from the south to the northeastern states. As a matter of fact I have a Pit Bull from the south. Upon arrival this dog should have been neutered when I got him and was not. Shame on the shelter for not doing their part. I know it is horrible in the south when people don't care about their pets well being. I also would transport animals from the south to the New England states. In my area you will not fine many or any roaming dogs. You are a fan.

[paige mcghan]

05:14 PM on 08/12/2011

que maravilla !!!!

[paige mcghan]

05:12 PM on 08/12/2011

fantastic!!!

[StarGazr5992]

01:03 PM on 08/12/2011

If it helps get dogs & cats in responsibly owners hands and will get the love and care they are entitle too

[oceanview136]

08:33 PM on 08/11/2011

I think that it's a great idea, because I really love animals !!

[Christine Shaw]

05:38 PM on 08/11/2011

Speed dating for pets? What a great idea to get pets adopted! If your thinking of adopting, you may want to consider what pet will be the best fit for you. Check out http://www.foundanimals.org/pet-adoption/basics/choosing-my-pet to help you decide what pet will best match your lifestyle.

[Parkite]

08:57 AM on 08/12/2011

It is important to consider your lifestyle before getting a dog. It should be a life long commitment. Remember just because it looks adorable as a puppy doesn't mean it's ging to fit into your lifestyle. This one reason so many dogs are turned into shelters. Also remember that training is critically important. Even adult dogs can learn new tricks with some training. Dogs want to please. Dogs need love just like people.

[InVinoVeritasBC]

04:58 PM on 08/11/2011

I wish my building allowed for pets :( I want to give one of those cuties a forever home!!!!

[Susan Marlowe CPA]

04:40 PM on 08/11/2011

Here's hoping lots of these dogs get adopted. Shelter pets are the best pets.

[Neico]

04:26 PM on 08/11/2011

I'd love the concept of speed dating for dogs, but I can't do anything now because I'm already spoken for...LMAO

My dog will be so angry if I brought more dogs into the house. He's the jealous type, ya know.

[Justin Seybert]

04:24 PM on 08/11/2011

Did I REALLY just click a link saying "watch speed dating for dogs?" Yikes!

[Bruckley]

03:38 PM on 08/11/2011

That might have been a nice news story except for the ridiculous huge tickers covering a quarter of the screen and the big AOL logo in the corner. I don't see how people can watch TV anymore. Half the screen is covered by crap.

[peachfuzz]

08:29 AM on 08/12/2011

Did you ever see the movie "Idiocracy"? lol

[boomer59]

03:34 PM on 08/11/2011

THANK YOU, THANK YOU for posting the link to 600million.org! You've done your good deed today HP!