SAVE OUR STRAYS
"Never doubt that a small group of dedicated citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
The SOS sign is known worldwide as a call for help. This call is being met by thousands of rescue organizations on local, state and national levels. While doing research in this area, I came upon this organization which is a wonderful place for anyone interested in making life a little better for our stray animals. The site is www.saveourstrays.com. In an effort to give help and information, I am listing this question and answer section which is devoted to the philosophy of "Humane Education That Saves Animal Lives" by Bob Christiansen.
How do we end pet overpopulation?
It's a very complex subject. If the answers were easy, the problem would have been solved long ago. We can be successful! The answers are at hand, we just need to work the plan. We need to understand that multiple programs are necessary. Generally speaking, these programs are comprehensive spay/neuter programs to align the supply with the demand, pet retention to keep pets from coming out of home (includes microchips, preadoption testing, training, behavior problem intervention), feral cat spay/neuter programs that trap, vaccinate, alter, release and aggressive adoption programs. Each of these programs are equal in their importance. It is vitally important the public and the government support and fund these programs.
Why did you write "Save Our Strays"?
I am deeply disturbed by the millions of pet animals that are being destroyed in our nation's shelters. What is more troubling is our inability as concerned animal people to unite and solve the problem....I believe if we keep the dialogue focused on scientific,objective findings we can reach common ground "for the animal."
Why can't we all get along?
I have spent over a year researching the dynamics of surplus pets. I believe in order to solve a problem you must first be able to define the problem - accurately. I have found the pet overpopulation problem is poorly defined. As a result, well-meaning but ill informed people apply their resources in nonproductive areas. There are myths that create nonproductive impediments to working together.
What is an example of a myth that keeps us divided?
The most common myth that separates us all is this: There are too many pets and not enough homes. The fact is, we are very close to aligning the supply with the demand in most metropolitan areas. Past attempts to solve the problem have unjustly vilified responsible breeders. What critics fail to realize is there is public demand for purebred animals to the tune of 6.5 million per year. Aggressive anti-breeding ordinances only serve to drive out responsible breeders who are quickly replaced by charlatans who avoid the law - people who produce inferior stock, are more than willing to supply the demand and cut corners to make a quick buck. The demand for purebred pets will be supplied. It's just a matter of from whom. Do we want responsible breeders or do we want charlatans?
What do you mean a lack of definition?
The terms used regarding pet overpopulation are nebulous. They are not clearly defined. For instance some people define breeders as anyone who produces a litter, without distinguishing between intentional and accidental breeding, responsible or fast-buck breeders. About 45% of puppy litters are from unintentional mating. The main causes of accidental litters are procrastination (why early-age spay/neuter is promoted) and money (why low-cost clinics and vouchers are promoted). These are effective means of dealing with accidental breeding.
Our number 1 problem is stray dogs and cats. This is not a breeder problem. This is a owner retention problem that requires a different solution than a population problem.
These problems cannot be properly addressed until they are accurately defined. For close to 30 years now the animal shelter community has only one answer to the problem, curtail breeding. This one answer approach has not worked. The arguments against reponsible breeders have been based on subjective, antecdotal information. These arguments are not rooted in good science. In effect, we are trying to throw out the baby with the bath water.
So where are we at now with pet overpopulation?
Dog and cat euthanasia rates leveled off at about 5% of the owned population from 1993 to 1996. I am now seeing a slight rise in euthansia rates for dogs. There are higher impoundment and euthanasia rates in rural communities where there are strong agricultural influences.
Can you share some of your findings that contradict conventional thinking?
**License programs that provide tags as a means for identification are a FAILURE. Every city in America has these programs. There is a critical need to develop license programs that use a permanent means of idenfication (microchips) for animals along with providing visual identification (tags). A microchip program would return lost pets home, would reduce stress on shelters, foster responsible pet ownership, provide a means to track congential diseases and track owner's of vicious dogs who allow their dogs to roam and cause bodily harm to humans. If such a program was developed, millions of pets could be saved.
**Animal shelters see the largest number of animals in a community. There is an inability of animal control shelter organizations to reduce euthanasias by increasing dog and cat adoptions and returning animals to owners. Dogs and cats are coming into shelters at a far greater rate than a shelter's ability to rehome them. Shelter personnel work to the best extent of their capabilities but there is limited funding and negative public perceptions that are difficult to overcome.
**Unaltered free-roaming cats are rapidly reproducing at a rate of more than the demand in American households. Domestic owned cats do not reproduce fast enough and account for only 35% of the kittens necessary to maintain zero population growth. Despite the fact that pedigree cats only account for 3% to 4% of all cats, pedigree cat breeders have been inaccurately portrayed as overpopulation culprits. In fact. there is a decreased risk of euthanasia factor for these cats and they do not pose an animal control problem.
In my opinion, feral, freeroming, unaltered cats are the greatest humane challenge of our day.
**Veterinarians play the single most important role in ending the surplus dog and cat tragedy. They must recognize the fact that more companion animals are displaced from homes for behavioral reasons than are lost for health reasons. Veterinarians must use their knowledge and influence to be a resource to address behavior problems, insure the pet is properly integrated into the home and act to eliminate minor behavior problems during the crucial first six months of ownership.
For more information on this subject, please visit the SOS website, or contact:
CLC Publishing
P.O. Box 1051
Napa, CA 94581
Phone: 707.226.5574
|
