Why Study Shelter Dogs?
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By Peri Norman
On July 14, 2015, the National Animal Interest Alliance released a Survey of Shelter Dog Composition: Mutts vs. Purebreds. The survey was produced as a part of the Shelter Dog project which is designed to “provide information about shelter issues to interested parties.” The description of the Shelter project found on the NAIA website goes on to say, “Without accurate data, we will never understand pet population trends well enough to define and solve the problems we face.” It is an oft-quoted truism that an accurate diagnosis is 90% of the cure. Our society’s struggle with pet population and euthanasia reduction is both fluid and complicated. The acquisition of objective information must be a priority for all stakeholders.
The role and importance of animals in our lives has become more than a question for debate. It is the center of a maelstrom that is so emotional and complex that it is not dissimilar from our national debates on abortion or gun control. There are many good reasons that we, the ubiquitous purebred dog fanciers, must be concerned with shelter dogs and all manner of things related to them. The first and most important is that we all love dogs. Yeah, I know. Purebred dogs are best and we adore Waffle Hounds. It is the only breed for us. But beyond that, we pretty much love all dogs. I know that I am not the only person who dreads going to the shelter to ID and pull one of my own breed. And really it is not because of that individual dog. He is coming out and coming home with me and eventually he will find his forever home either with someone carefully picked for him or he will stay with me. No, the pain comes from the part where there are so many other lovely, cute, adorable, sweet, strong, stoic dogs that I would love to bring home as well. Those of us who recognize each dog as a living, breathing sentient being have a hard time walking away with just one dog.
When I acquired my first show dog in 1971, the problem was crystal clear. Pet overpopulation was real and in your face. There were more dogs than there were good homes. Everyone was an expert and litters of puppies proliferated in suburbia like daisies in the front yard. Thankfully, those days are past. With tremendous effort on the part of all dog lovers; education has achieved remarkable goals in the areas of responsible dog ownership, identification of pets and altering non-breeding animals as appropriate. So now the problem is not so massive, but tremendously more complex. The truth is that the problem is vastly more complicated by the lack of accurate information about the marginalized population of dogs that wind up in the shelter and about the shelters themselves.
Those of us who live, breathe, eat and sleep dogs have some intuitive knowledge about what is going on around us. We know that there are people who believe that a dog is a dog is a dog. Sort of like a chair is a chair is a chair. And if you want one, cheaper is always better. If you decide you don’t like it, you can throw it away and get another one. On the other end of the spectrum are the people who have highly refined, strongly held opinions about dogs. They are the societal equivalent of a wine connoisseur. They know there is a huge difference and, to them, the purchase price differential is oftentimes simply a reflection of quality. You get what you pay for, as the old adage goes. As with many other products in our lives, the folks selling the cheaper stuff spend a lot of time, energy and money trying to convince the public that the cheap version is just as good as the more expensive ones. Depending on the product and how you plan to use it, that may be true, but we all know that in the important things in life, better is always well… better. Surveys and studies over years have shown that many people prefer purebred dogs. Check out this quote from a PetSmart Charities blog, “Find your perfect dog in a shelter – purebreds, too! The study (Best Friends’ Inaugural Pet Adoption Survey) also found that 28% of people don’t adopt because they believe they won’t be able to find a particular breed. Our (PetSmart Charities) Ipsos Marketing Survey showed that 35% of respondents believed this long-standing misperception…”
The just released NAIA Survey of Shelter Dog Composition: Mutts vs. Purebreds has some signification contributions to make with regard to our understanding of the current situation. Obviously, the headliner is that the survey showed the population of available dogs in the shelter to be about 5% purebred and about 95% mixed breeds. Two things that the NAIA did in the handling of the data they collected are of significance. The most significant one is that “…we determined that it was best to accept shelter labels as accurate even when a question existed.” This was huge for a reason that goes beyond accuracy in measuring. This decision eliminates “the pissing contest”. Notwithstanding the above quoted marketing to the contrary, this is not a competition between aficionados of purebred dogs and the shelter/rescue personnel. This is about gathering more accurate information in contrast to the situation as it existed in the past. We are all on the same team with regard to saving lives and reducing euthanasia rates. To that end, acceptance of assigned labels was an excellent call.
However, it was also appropriate and useful to include the caveats regarding dogs described as pit bulls and Chihuahuas. Yes, it changes the numbers. But it also touches on a couple of other important issues. The phenomenon of breeds of dogs being impacted by their popularity within subcultures and/or by Hollywood depictions in movies may seem crazy to many of us, but clearly it is a reality in the larger public perception. Sadly, we know that when people acquire a dog (particularly a large, guardian-type breed) without being fully educated and committed to the care and training appropriate to the breed, it is a train wreck waiting to happen. Public backlash against breeds perceived as difficult or dangerous makes those breeds highly visible and subject to breed-specific legislation of the most egregious types. Breed-specific legislation does not solve anything, but it does create a tremendous negative impact on good dogs and responsible owners. The need for more education and increased visibility regarding the “tough dog” phenomenon is important.
The Chihuahua-related issue is completely different. NAIA notes, “Because Chihuahuas are small, attractive to adopters, and highly adoptable, their numbers are especially high in shelters that import dogs for adoption.” So-called humane transport can be both a blessing and curse. Southern California is overrun with Chihuahuas. Perhaps a good portion of them have their roots south of the border. No one seems to have current, accurate numbers, but some estimates are suggesting that over 500,000 foreign dogs a year are brought into the United States. Humane relocation between shelters in the U.S. might seem to be a no-brainer. But remember that shelters are not regulated by any national entity and the transport of “surplus” animals which are sold at a profit is not really humane relocation. It’s a business. Another, and perhaps more daunting, issue touched upon by the relocation of Chihuahuas is the problem of international importation and smuggling of foreign dogs into the U.S. Rabies has shown up a number of times in animals imported or smuggled from foreign countries. This bulletin is quoted direct from the CDC website:
HEALTH ALERT
Imported Dogs with Questionable Documentation
May 27, 2014
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received reports of an increasing number of dogs with questionable documentation of prior rabies vaccination. The dogs are being imported into the United States from rabies-endemic countries.
Imported dogs:
• are sold on-line, by independent sellers, or in pet stores.
• are adopted through both U.S. and international sources.
• may be purebred, hybrid, or mixed breeds; distributors may claim to have or may even provide breed registration papers.
• may be incorrectly identified as having been born and raised in the United States.
Background
The CDC has learned of several instances when importers have provided inaccurate rabies vaccine certificates for puppies arriving into the United States. These documents state that the puppies are older than 4 months of age and fully immunized against rabies. However, upon examination, these animals were found to be less than 4 months old and sometimes as young as 4-8 weeks of age. Documentation has also included falsification of birth location and breed registration.
Even diseases that are not a public health risk to humans carry significant medical and financial implications. The following comments in a VIN News article highlight recent concerns regarding the influenza outbreak in the Midwest this spring. As the H3N2 strain of canine influenza circulates beyond Chicago, Illinois and spreads to other Midwestern states — Wisconsin and Indiana among them — one expert says it isn’t the virus’ endurance or speed that’s significant. It’s the fact that it crossed the U.S. border. “We have absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt, proof that a foreign animal disease has been imported into the U.S.,” Dr. Ed Dubovi said. “I don’t think anyone can look at this situation and say we’re protecting our animal population the best we can.” Lax regulations and enforcement regarding foreign dogs coming into our country is an enormous threat to the health of both humans and dogs. The current situation is unacceptable.
“The mission of NAIA is to promote the welfare of animals, to strengthen the human-animal bond, and safeguard the rights of responsible animal owners, enthusiasts and professionals through research, public information and sound public policy.” In the context of both the overall mission of the organization and the goals of The Shelter Project, the NAIA is opening a discussion about changes geared toward protecting the US from diseases carried in from other countries and toward establishing regulations, oversight and transparency with regard to animal shelters and rescue groups. Patti Strand, animal advocate and NAIA president comments, “Without these regulations, American consumers will have absolutely no way of knowing where their dogs came from, how they were bred and raised and whether the shelter they’ve patronized is following responsible animal care practices.”
The issues raised by the NAIA Survey of Shelter Dog Composition: Mutts vs. Purebreds and The NAIA Shelter Project should be of deep concern and lasting interest to purebred dog breeders. Our rights to enjoy our animals are under attack by a limited number of radicals, which are unfortunately financially supported by a large portion of the American public who thinks they are helping animals. We know that we all need to be conscious of reaching out to educate the public. But the problem is really larger than that, because reliable data about many of the issues related to rescues, shelters and the reality of pet population problems in this country is lacking. We know that the vast bulk of people involved in rescue really care about dogs and are trying to do what they can to relieve the suffering. Other than a few Machiavellian individuals, we are all on the same team… Team Dog Lovers!
Visit the NAIA Shelter Project at www.shelterproject.naiaonline.org to see if shelters in your area are reporting their activities. NAIA has model legislation to require shelters to do so. Progress is impossible without our support and contributions to organizations like NAIA (www.naiaonline.org) that are working to provide objective and accurate data that can be used in a fact-based discussion of the issues. The National Animal Interest Alliance has taken an enormous step in the right direction and is deserving of our respect, gratitude and support.
Short URL: https://caninechronicle.com/?p=85023
Posted by ralbee
on Aug 14 2015. Filed under Current Articles, Editorial, Featured.
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