Animal Welfare and the Dog Days of Summer
Years ago I watched Al Pacino in a film called Dog Day Afternoon in which there were no dogs; just a botched bank robbery and a sad ending. Lately, it seems that there are a lot of sad endings for dogs and cats and any animal that doesn't have a caring or responsible owner.
Pictures and stories of pets being abandoned in apartments, houses, and backyards are all over newspapers, the Internet and television. At various shelters nationwide, but especially in large urban areas, overcrowding and lack of finances means that the animals are all too often euthanized very quickly with no chance at finding another home.
In Houston, Texas, the Bureau of Animal Control BARC) has euthanized more than125, 000 dogs each year. I am not even bothering with the statistics for other animals right now. Despite the many animal groups who valiantly come in and pull out the dogs and cats they try and personally adopt out, it's a ripple in the ocean of need.
We all know what must be done. Just as providing universal health care so that all people can have medical treatment, or trying to balance our budget so that future generations don't carry the burden of debt we have saddled them with, or making sure that we finally get a handle on global climate disruption, we must also begin to really create legislation that guarantees unwanted animals some basic rights. And this is needed not just in Texas, but all over the United States. What can we all do?
Make spay/neuter mandatory. Enforce it.
Educate schoolchildren so they learn and understand that having a pet means accepting responsibility. When you have a pet, you are responsible for its life. Just like a child. Pets need food and shelter. They need medicine, and regular vet visits and deserve to die a dignified death when the time has come.
We need to shut down all the puppy mills and leave dog breeding to breeders who care about the viability of their breed. These breeders will take a dog back if the owner has to give it up and want to be responsible for finding it another home. I don't ever want to see another picture of some poor female dog in a squat cage, where she can't even stand up whose life has been spent pushing out puppies. And by the way, I am sick of labradoodles, and pugapoos, and cockapoos being marketed as viable breeds. I have no problem with mixed breeds -- but why buy an animal that otherwise you could find at the shelter?
Let's stop the backyard breeders who think a quick litter of pups is just another way to earn a quick buck. These poor pups often carry diseases, are not properly inoculated and the new owners have no recourse should the dog die. And because the dogs are bred with no sense of temperament or breed guidance, there are often problems. What happens when the dogs don't work out? In Houston, there is a beleaguered section of road called the Corridor. A valiant team of people headed by Deborah Hoffman patrol that area and tries to help the animals that are dumped there. That's' right. Just dumped. You can find dead pit bulls wrapped in blankets and put into trash bags, you can find purebred dogs at a loss as to how they got there, you can find lots of smallish, white scruffy dogs that are a few breeds short of Heinz 57, but close, and on and on. You can find, as Deborah did, dogs buried and still alive under construction debris, and dogs just left tied or chained to posts, trees and empty houses.
We need to be creative! There are thousands of veterans who are returning home traumatized emotionally and physically. Dogs have been shown to be effective as therapy. That's right. Sometimes a person would rather talk to a dog than a human therapist. There are plenty of dogs that need to give love, and plenty of veterans who need the kind of unconditional love an animal can deliver.
And what about our prison population? There have been a few programs, which have placed puppies with incarcerated men and women. Those puppies are given their basic training as guide dogs and then moved on to help people who need them. In today's world, many families that used to foster and train puppies for specialized programs are not available since both parents work. With "Pups in Prisons," a sense of purpose and achievement is the end and very positive result.
And what about cities or towns that don't have many dogs or cats to adopt? Why can't they be identified and have overcrowded shelters send them excess animals so that they can find a home?
I was so thrilled when President Obama originally suggested that the First Family would go to a shelter and pick out "a mutt like me." Although that didn't happen because of Malia's allergies, there are plenty of purebred rescue groups. Name your breed from Irish Wolfhounds to Basset hounds, Basenjis to Yorkshire terriers and there is a rescue group fostering plenty of dogs that need good homes.
While my daughter was at college last year, one of her friends fostered a golden retriever. After the dog got placed, he fostered another. This is a wonderful way to assist in your community if you have the time and space.
All over the country there are amazing people saving animals. Madeleine Pickens is saving the wild Mustang. In many communities there are a myriad of rescue groups for various purebred groups, or for just dogs. Cat rescue abounds as well. I have been stunned to see housetrained rabbits at the shelters hoping for adoption, and other small pets as well.
I so admire and respect Sarah McLachlan for all of her work for the ASPCA, but I would be thrilled if I never had to see those ads, and dogs and cats behind bars anymore. All of us need to work to change a system that is severely broken.
Maybe along with health care reform, and education reform, we can add animal welfare reform. Maybe someday a dog day afternoon will mean a happy wagging tail, not a sad tale.
As the great Mahatma Gandhi said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by how it treats its animals." If we are to be judged by his adage, then we have failed.
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http://workingtohelpanimalstodaytomorrow.blogspot.com/2009/07/who-is-nathan-j-winograd.html They also falselyclaim thatMandatory Spay/Neuter(MSN)as an option("mandatory"is not really best name as allows some 2 go unaltered 4 small fee w/allowable use documentation,2 forgo it)does NOT work&increases"kills"citing "evidence"by using names of places w/MSN they claim"miserably failed"but actually w/little bit of researchFactsShowOtherwise: http://www.laanimalservices.com/PDF/reports/fiveyearstrategicplan.pdf http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/07/01/mandatory-spay-neuter-doesnt-work-ordoes-it/24633/ If there IS any increase in intake, it's not because of MSN-documentation actually show it's from economy/puppy mill raids/pit bull fighting seizures,etc.not MSN-AND some falsely claimed increased"kills"actually have GREATLY decreased-They rely on people not checking4 themselves&"trusting" the"expert."They attack all those who even question them,whether journalists,individuals or organizations. http://www.houstonpress.com/2009-01-29/news/barc-sucks/6 It's sad that they might B able 2 work with,not against other animal groups,but instead cloak themselves in"No Kill" feel good rhetoric,while destroying the very organizations that help animals.It's most sad because they've gotten some good people2 blindly follow them who won't investigate who"NK" aligns themselves w/&who they really R&don't check facts.Do good people &good groups follow bad people because they've been misled?Happens all the time.They could do so much good w/their passion-but choose 2 align w/AKC/RPOA whileChoosing 2 attack shelters/humane organizations who don't do things the"Winograd Way"&"Read the Book!"
DID research but when one only wants others 2 researchWinograd sites&his allies,not background issues of claims, it's spin."No Kill"movement- instead of aiding,actually viciously attacks both national&local humane organizations&shelters that euthanize calling it "killing."Shockingly,they do this all the while they admit they're in w/ AKC&RPOA -Responsible Pet Owners Alliance-the arm of breeders/furriers/hunters/experimenters who actually R "killers" http://companionsforlife.blogspot.com/2009/07/responsible-pet-owners-alliance-not.html &I don't mean euthanasia either-RPOA/AKC post their beliefs as pro-animal use&against animal rights of any stripe.You'll actually see the phrase"responsible pet ownership"on commenters here&everywhere as clue who they are.AKC/RPOA/NAIA fight against all animal friendly legislation-puppy mills,anti-cruelty laws-check the net. http://www.examiner.com/x-2786-SF-Dogs-Examiner~y2009m4d11-Puppy-mills-should-not-be-regulated-says-group They and "No Kill" leaders also falsely claim that there R enough good homes 4 animals,yet shelters"kill" them,inflaming people by citing instances of bad things that have happened in some shelter& falsely claim that "no kill" saves "millions" yet can't "prove" it at all. I'm sure some methods do work in some shelters-but not this agenda they promote which seeks"their"way as the "only way"& all others B truly damned- is not helping as many animals as claimed & is definitely hurting them, when U examine all the actual facts-not "No Kill" posted ones.
Yankee Canuck... ask your pet if they prefer to stay as they were born.. or have their reproductive organs removed.. my guess is stay the way they are.. and not have surgery they really don't need.. but since they really don't have a choice and we do tn do as you see fit for your pet..
Vickster.. HUH.. if feral cows, chickens, pigs and other live a horrible life.. and they live longer ( and happier I suspect wihtout predators and lack of food) on feedlots.. then huh??.. One thing feral animals do get to do is REPRODUCE.. so which is better.. or isn't there a real choice.. since animals do not have rights and cannot make these choices for themselves.. hmm think they will be able to vote soon?
If barn cats are the rule, then it's safe to say that most feral animals don't live long enough to breed or even to be weened off their mother's milk.
Female dogs, called bitches to those in the know, are only "breedable' for about 10 days out of the whole year. yes that's right .. about ten days..and that is split into two cycles. fences, leashes and owners are the best defense against an unwanted litter if you do not care to breed your bitch and yet do not want to castrate her ( yes .. that is the medical term for removal of the reproductive organs of both sexes). Most owned animals are already castrated.. AVMA estimates about 75-80% of owned dogs and closer to 90% of owned cats are castrated. Support low cost or free castration of pets in your area.. and in particular.. support Trap/Neuter/Release for feral cats.. the major portion of animals killed in "shelters". .
Rmankowitz.. you must be pretty thin, pretty rich and very careful.. Looks like your pets eat well though.. where do you get their meat as cats cannot be vegan. just curious.. you know .. like a cat..
as for being "hooked" on food..?/ that is a concept I cannot even digest.. The world revolves on food production.. and the chaper the better.. of course .. that goes along with CHOICE.. which you would not have if food were overly expensive.. then the main job of people would be to find FOOD.. not invent the internet.. ( Al Gore look pretty weel fed to me.. LOL)
Here is a link regarding the ethical feeding of pets:
http://www.celestialpets.com
Here is a book that teaches the ethical feeding of humans: "The Original Diet." Ask your librarian for a copy.
Regarding being very careful, I have only one body, and if I do not take care of it, where will I live?
I see you are quite concerned about treating animals as nature intended, and I support that. Therefore, I presume you only feed them what nature intended, which is not the junk in a can or a bag. It is primarily raw whole ground-living animals. Where do you get your raw pet food?
Roy Mankovitz, Director
http://www.MontecitoWellness.com
There is some mistaken belief that IF an animal is whole then that somehow it WILL reproduce. This is not true. castration of animals is only common in the USA. Europe has far fewer castrated pets than we do and yet they do not have a huge problem with unwanted pets.. If I listen to one more AC officer or one more legislator stand up and talk about how males will travel miles to seek out a female, climb through windows, break through brick walls and .. gee even frequent local bars to pick up.. oh wait.. those are HUMAN males.. not real dogs..real dogs usually stay at home.. laws are passed called LEASH LAWS.. how about enforcing those .. on dogs.. human males will have to settle for marriage ( some of them anyway)
People who find "pit bulls' dead and scarred and killed only have to look to the media where this noble breed has been vilified beyond belief. Is is any wonder that thousands are killed in "shelters" ( a misnomer if there ever was one) when people call them "baby killers" and "demon dogs" and so many places have banned anything that even resembles a "pit bull" , where they are routinely killed in "shelters" just because of the way they look. Something I am sure Gandhi would abhor .
Nothing in this piece mentions No KILL.. the Nathan Winograd philosophy that has saved MILLIONS of dogs and cats in our country. Google it.. read the book.. it works..
Get rid of "pet limits" first so that people can have more than a few pets.. eliminate "breed bans" .. they have not saved any lives..educate the public and offer low cost or free castration for pets.. in my town this happens .. and guess what.. there is a three week wait for services..if people thought they would be prosecuted for having an intact pet.. guess what too.. they WOULD NOT be coming in in droves. peopl need the carrot.. not the stick..
Interesting about Altanta.. yesterday on one of my lists' there was a story from a local Altanta channel about 27 dogs coming INTO Altanta from ARKANSAS for 'adoption".. people were LINED up to get them. so what is WRONG with that picture.??. maybe the secret is to transfer these animals around from state to state so that "sheeple" will think they are getting somthing "special". Mandatory castration for pets has NEVER worked in any venue where it has been tried.. NOT ONE..more crimes ( the uncastrated pet) more criminals ( the" uncastrated pet" owner) and more laws that will do NOTHING to help animals. very bad idea.. not to mention that castration of any animal is major surgery and should be a decision between pet owner and veterinarian ( those on this site should be well aware of the right to choose). Pets can die during surgery.. or isn't that relevant to the "cause"? As for labradoodles etc.. I am sorry you are 'sick of them" but here in America we have freedom of choice .. so far.. and that extends to what pet we choose to buy and how much we want to pay for it. As for those who have posted.. if you cannot afford to castrate how can you afford a pet.. stop being so elitist.. even poor people deserve a little love.. perhaps you feel the same way about people and children.. but so far you have not been able to walk that road..
While mandatory spay/neuter 'sounds' like a good concept, who will abide by it? Pet owners who are already responsible for their animals.
I live within the city, and if MSN is enforced, I could pay as much as $500 per intact animal (I now have three). I show dogs for AKC conformation where animals must be intact; yes, it's my choice to participate. That's another $500 per dog, on top of the thousands of dollars spent traveling to dog shows promoting responsible pet ownership and breed education/representation, the thousands of dollars I contribute to various rescue groups (through fostering, training, and providing vet care).
What eventually happens, is the majority of people who can afford the intact animal permits are those who breed solely for profit. No health testing, no co-ownership, no educating the new owner, no responsibility for that animal once it's gone... That's IF they decide to abide by the law.
I whole-heartedly support positive changes to the Houston area shelters and level of care given to animals while in these facilities. But to solve the long term problem, increasing education and raising awareness to responsible pet ownership is the key.
heres an idea , every christmas and birthday i ask my presents be donations to a humane society, if the person is out of town, it can be to theie local shelter, or to mine. either way hundreds of dollars flow to them every year and i dont need "stuff" , but the animals need what this money can provide. it doesnt cost you a thing, and it makes the giver happy and encourages more giving.
thanks for the artical. please keep them coming. we need national animal protection our priotection for animals is terrible. people can be terrible.
Right here in Beverly Hills there is a woman facing JAIL for feeding (trapping, spaying or neutering) the few feral cats that roam..I mean..there's only so many..yet the froo froo selfish wealthy had her arrested..her organization is..darn..I get newsletter..and can't remember it...but google feral cat rescue/Los Angeles.... My own sweet Keno..had kidney failure that came on quickly..I will ALWAYS curse my selfishness in keeping her alive TWO days too long..when she finally went to sleep...I held her as the vet gave her the magic medicine..she was so soft, so precious and no more pain...I have her ashes as well as Elke's who died many many years ago at 19. My current cat is a trouper...kidney failure BUT..doing well...at the FIRST sign that she is in pain..I will swallow my selfishness and let her go. then when I cross over...I'll ask someone to spread all of our ashes together...as someone who stands a good change of cancer recurrance..I only wish I COULD take that magic medicine at the first sign...I fought the good fight and don't fear death...only long, painful death.... We have failed Gandhi's wish.... I am a vegetarian for moral, not health reasons...too bad cats can't be vegetarians..but they've just not been domesticated long enough..but I understand dogs can be!
Re; "When you have a pet, you are responsible for its life. Just like a child. Pets need food and shelter. They need medicine and regular vet visits and deserve to die a dignified death when the time has come."
Alas, too many people lack food, shelter and medical care, including children who live in the USA. As for a "dignified death", there is no such thing.
You're mixing apples and oranges. You seem to assume that people who care about animals don't care about fellow humans. That is not true, nor does the existence of people in need obviate the responsibility a pet owner has for an animal.
As for dignity...
After sixteen years of love and loyalty, the last few years in failing health, my pound-adopted dog developed acute, sudden kidney failure. The vet came and gave her an injection to put her to sleep, and then overdosed her. She died in my arms... peacefully, and with dignity.
I can only hope that when my time comes, I will be able to go out as gently, with someone who loves me nearby.
We adopted another dog, a mixed-breed rescue, the following month. She can never replace my previous dog--she has a totally different personality--but there is no better way to honor the memory of my long-time friend and protector.
Ms. Susman, thank you for your column. Humans aren't the only species on earth--they just act like it.
No, I'm not mixing apples and oranges. I'm just suggesting that poor kids who live in a ghetto will resent living in a society that values their health and well-being less than the health of dogs and cats.
By the way, I have two dogs who were rescued. Three of my six cats were rescued too. As for your claim that there is death with dignity, I must wonder how many weeks you allowed your "pound-adopted dog" with acute kidney failure to linger before you finally decided it was time to do the evil deed. And I don't intend this as a criticism, but it's possible to wait too long.
There is no such thing as acting too quickly to put a critter out of it's misery.
Ellen has it all right--And as far as mandatory spay/neuter suggestion goes, it hasn't been tried too many places and is not as sometimes negatively portrayed. You CAN still keep an intact animal for small yearly fee of around $50, I've read. Enforcement will be an issue, of course, but so are government required rabies vaccination & tags, etc. With small fee, it's just another incentive to encourage spay/neuter beyond just those who get pets from shelters& those who decide on their own. It will do some good & any good to help the animals is more important than screaming mimis of "no gov't intervention"! It does discourage breeding & so many breeders groups (some good, some not. . . ) lobby against it for fear of "slippery slope." But let's put the interests of suffering animals before profits of human greed here, please. Is that too much to ask if you really care about suffering of animals? (And for Pickens detractor, here's her website: http://www.madeleinepickens.com/sanctuary-qa/ ) We have a HUGE overpopulation animal problem & spay/neuter (coupled w/other suggestions) is the ONLY real answer. The only ones who fight this obvious truth, have other agendas (and I'm sure we'll see them commenting here!) and that includes fighting against most all animal friendly legislation. Use your heart and head here--do what's right.
Do you think it would be feasible to require proof of spay/neuter (or proof of exemption) as a condition to renewing a dog license? That may make a spay/neuter requirement more practical to enforce. I would be interested in your thoughts.
You are wrong. Mandatory spay/neuter laws HAVE been tried in other cities and counties and it does NOT lower the kill rate; actually it causes it to RISE. LA passed this law a year or so ago and their kill rates have RISEN 30% since then. PLEASE do some research on this topic before promoting this idea. We do not want to pass laws that will cause the kill rate to rise!
You can find more information about why Mandatory s/n laws are NOT working to lower kill rates in shelters at www.NoKillAdvocacyCenter.org or www.NoKillHouston.org. You will also find information about what programs and services DO cause the kill rate to decline. Shelters across the country are lowering the kill rate of healthy and treatable pets to near zero. We don't have to re-create the wheel. We can copy what is working for them. PLEASE, PLEASE do research on this topic.
Ellen, many thanks for your excellent column. It's also a pleasure to read the many supportive comments you have received and other people's good ideas. In Pittsburgh, two animal shelters have established pet food banks to help families that need help feeding their animals and want to keep their families intact. See Ellie's Pet Pantry and Animal Friends' Chow Wagon to learn more. Another initiative we're working to get off the ground will match veterans with shelter dogs, for the purpose of providing basic training to the dogs to make them more adoptable and to train other dogs as service dogs for veterans. With regard to horses, many of us are doing what we can to help people arrange to lease or co-lease their horses or to find "free lease" or other cost-saving arrangements. With some creativity and commitment, and with the inspiration of good ideas, all of us are having an impact.
"Madeleine Pickens is saving the wild Mustang."
Have you got facts about that? (how many has she rescued? where are they?)
So far all I've heard is talk.
We rescued a black Lab 2 years ago that had been abused physically and was malnourished and was in a cage where she could not stand or turn around. The rescue people had her spayed, housebroken, and she was starting to interact with other dogs. She was 8 months when we received her into our home. She is now the gorgeous, shining, sociable queen of the house. She and my Golden Retriever are my constant companions now that I have retired. Anyone who is considering owning a dog PLEASE go online and look for rescue animals. A dog can get along with food, water, and an occasional pat on the head or kind word. For this a human receives unlimited love, devotion, protection and loyalty. Yes, there are costs involved if your dog is immunized as it should be, but how much do we pay for TV entertainment, dining out, and memberships for this and that? Weigh that against a dutiful, constant companion 24/7/365.
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