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Every Nine Seconds Campaign
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PROBLEMS - SOLUTIONS
Each year in this country, 8 to 10 million lost and unwanted dogs and
cats enter animal shelters. They have about a fifty percent chance of
getting out alive: 4 to 6 million of them will be euthanized – around
a half million a month nationwide, 575 each hour, one every six and a
half seconds.
While the reasons for this tragedy are multi-faceted, they're not
complicated. And, the problems that cause animals to become homeless
and end up in animal shelters are preventable, with the solutions in
all of our hands.
Problem #1: Lost and "stray" animals.
Statistics indicate that an animal is lost every 30 seconds, and that
at some point in their lives, one in five animals will become lost.
Some of them are dogs and cats who are usually safely confined at
home but somehow slip out unnoticed through an open door or an
unlatched gate. Many are animals who are routinely allowed to roam on
their own, or what are not confined at all. Whatever the reason,
millions of them flow into animal shelters. A small percentage of
them are reunited with their families, while most are never found:
nationally, only 16% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats are claimed
from shelters by their families.
Solution #1: Identification, safe confinement.
The critical yet simple key to this aspect of the homeless animal
problem is some form of identification so that a lost animal can get
back home. I.D. tags are the most basic form of identification, are
widely available, and come in all shapes and sizes. Microchip
identification is becoming more and more common, and provides a
permanent form of identification that can't be separated from the
animal. All dogs and cats – even those who are indoor-only – should
always wear some form of identification.
In addition, safely confining companion animals, not allowing them to
roam, always knowing where they are and looking for them the minute
it is realized they are missing, are simple yet crucial practices
that would dramatically reduce the numbers of lost and stray animals
entering animal shelters each year.
Problem #2: Overpopulation
The statistics are staggering: a female dog and her puppies are
theoretically capable of multiplying to over 67,000 in just six
years, and a female cat and her kittens can result in over 400,000
offspring in only seven years. Although in some areas of the country
there has been progress in this aspect of the homeless animal
tragedy, throughout most of the country puppies and kittens arrive at
shelters in staggering numbers.
Unintentional breeding is part of the problem – the mating of animals
whose guardians didn't realize they were old enough, or didn't
realize they were in heat, or just didn't take any action to prevent
it. Intentional breeding also contributes to overpopulation, by those
who want to witness the "miracle of birth," or those who are still
under the impression that animals should have a litter before being
spayed. The breeders who create and supply a market for purebred
animals also contribute, as do those who breed their purebred animal
as a way to bring in some extra cash.
As long as there are not enough homes for them all, any animal added
to the population, for whatever reason, helps feed companion animal
overpopulation and contribute to the euthanasia of massive numbers of
animals in shelters.
Soltuion #2: Spaying and neutering.
Spay and neuter, routine surgical procedures which prevent animals
from reproducing, are the answers to this facet of the homeless
animal problem. Not only do spaying and neutering prevent
overpopulation, they are also of benefit to the animals: studies show
spayed and neutered animals live longer, healthier lives with fewer
medical and behavioral problems.
Some people worry that is it "unnatural" to spay or neuter companion
animals. But our companion animals have to live with us in our world,
where sexual maturity creates a continual and stressful battle of
physical drives. Unaltered animals reveal this stress with a higher
incidence of behavior and temperament problems; unneutered male dogs
are three times more likely to bite than neutered dogs; 90% the dogs
hit by cars are unneutered males. For their own comfort, and for
their own safety, companion animals should be spayed and neutered
before they reach six months of age.
Problem #3: Surrendered animals.
"Sheds"… "destructive"… "barks"… "digs"… "can't
control"… "divorce"… "new baby"… "going on
vacation"… "moving"… "boyfriend doesn't like"… "allergies"… "not
enough time for"… "too much work"… "too big"… "too old"… "don't want
anymore"…
All of the above are commonly-cited reasons for surendering animals
to shelters. These "reasons" suggest a basic underlying dynamic: that
the decision to acquire an animal was made casually, without much
forethought and planning, or that the guardian had unrealistic
expectations about an animal's needs and how that animal would fit
into day to day life.
Solution #3: Education, information, support
Dogs and cats can live 15 years or more, during which they will be
completely, utterly dependant upon their guardians. Potential
guardians should consider the commitment carefully, and, if ready for
the commitment, take the time to make a careful and informed choice
of animal, to make a good match that will be compatible with their
lifestyle. Thinking ahead to life's changes, and how an animal will
be accommodated during those changes, is essential. And when problems
do arise, working through those problems, persevering and not giving
up, drawing on support such as behavior hotlines, training, and other
resources, are the acts of commitment that keep an animal out of the
shelter.
Compounding factors
Nationally, only 20% of the dogs and cats in homes are adopted from
animal shelters. Though permanent solutions to the homeless animal
problems must focus on preventing animals from even being in shelters
in the first place, the low percentage of animals obtained from
shelters and rescue groups certainly compounds the tragedy.
Final answers
It is important to remember that shelters cannot solve the homeless
animals problem for us. Although they should, and must, create
programs that reach out beyond their walls to prevent animals from
becoming homeless – identification and microchipping programs, low
cost spay/neuter, pet parenting classes and animal behavior help, for
instance – we must use these programs. We are the ones who must make
the commitment, and take the actions, to ensure that we never cause
an animal to be in an animal shelter. We must understand: as soon as
this country stops filling animal shelters with homeless animals, the
killing can stop.
Ultimately, though, we need to transcend sheltering and the current
shelter system in this country. The shelter system, as it exists
today, and has existed for decades, has as one of its primary
functions the processing of living beings – either by recycling them
to new homes or destroying them, but to dispose of them somehow, to
relieve people and communities of their responsibility for them. It
is a tangible sign of our society's deep disconnection from other
beings, a disconnection so profound and damaging that we could
legitimately categorize it as a sickness.
We need to acknowledge this sickness and how it plays out in our
shelters, and never make excuses for it or believe that it is
acceptable. The truth is, there should not be a need in a civilized
society for a system
that disposes of animals as if they were trash. We need to tell this
truth, as an act of respect to the animals, and because the truth
cannot be changed until it can be seen.
At the deepest level, the only thing that will heal this sickness,
and alleviate the pain we feel over this issue, is to simply end the
killing. To create communities that no longer have overwhelming
homeless animal problems and have, therefore, no need to kill
animals. To create communities that find killing to be an
unacceptable answer, and that see animals as having value and beauty,
as beings with a sacred spark of life and spirit.
WHAT YOU CAN DO...
In our everyday lives, in the choices we make and the actions we
take, we can
create change. These are the simple, yet profound, things we can
do...
Understand the commitment we are making when we take an animal into
our homes and lives, be ready and willing to accept that commitment
in our hearts and minds, and make it a lifelong commitment.
Protect our animal companions from becoming lost by keeping them
safely confined and always wearing current identification.
Spay and neuter our animals so that they do not contribute to
companion animal overpopulation.
Save a life by adopting our next animal companion from a shelter.
Choose our companions thoughtfully and carefully to ensure we are
making a good match that will last a lifetime;
Provide our companions with the basics of food and shelter and
medical care, and also provide them with the love and companionship
they need to be happy;
Include them as part of our families, socialize them so that they are
comfortable in human society, train them so that they are safe and
good citizens;
Work through problems with them, and include them in our own life
changes;
Always demonstrate responsible and loving companion animal care so
that others may learn from our example, and so that such care becomes
the standard in our society.
These actions honor our animal friends, and show gratitude for the
love and companionship they give to us so freely. These actions
acknowledge their intrinsic value, and express respect for them as
living beings. Moreover, these are the actions that, one at a time ,
begin to bring an end to the homeless animal tragedy, and they are in
your power.
If you want to do more...
Every community is different in its homeless animal problem – in its
causes, as well as in its progress toward a solution. To find out how
you can best become involved and help, find out what kinds of
shelters you have in your community, and what kind of help they need.
You may be able to foster an animal who needs extra care or time the
shelter cannot give; you may be able to care for the animals in the
shelter and give them the love and attention that will help them stay
healthy while they wait for a home; you may be able to help the
shelter raise funds or educate their community.
There may also be other organizations working outside the walls of
the shelter – rescue groups, groups providing low cost spay/neuter,
groups working to help feral cats, educational organizations, etc. –
that can use your help.
Your time, your action, and your advocacy are incredibly valuable
gifts to a shelter or non-profit organization, and to the animals
themselves.
All of these organization sare playing a part in building communities
that no longer have overwhelming homeless animal problems and have,
therefore, no need to kill animals; they're working toward creating
communities that find killing to be an unacceptable answer, and that
see animals as having value and beauty, as beings with a sacred spark
of life and spirit
Whatever you decide to do, we thank you for your compassion, your
concern, and your efforts to bring about an end to the homeless
animal tragedy and create a better world for animals.
If want to learn more... Recommended Reading
On homeless animals...
· Disposable Animals: Ending the Tragedy of Throw-Away Pets, by Craig
Brestrup, Camino Press, 2001
· Lost and Found: Dogs, Cats, and Everyday Heroes at a Country Animal
Shelter, by Elizabeth Hess, Harvest Books, 2000
. The Pet Surplus: What Every Dog and Cat Owner Can Do to Help Reduce
It, by Susan M. Seidman, Xlibris, 2001
· Save Our Strays: How We Can End Pet Overpopulation and Stop Killing
Healthy Cats and Dogs, by Bob Christensen, Canine Learning Centers,
1999
· The Stray Cat Handbook, byTamara Kreuz, Howell Book House, 1999
· Circles of Compassion: A Collection of Humane Words and Works,
edited by Elaine Sichell, Voice & Vision Publishing, 1995
· The Animal Shelter, by Patricia Curtis, Lodestar Books, 1984
· A Day, A Dog, by Gabrielle Vincent, Front Street, 1999
On valuing animals...
· When Elephants Weep, by Jeffrey Mousaieff Masson, Ballatine Books,
2002
· The Ten Trusts: What We Must Do to Care for the Animals We Love, by
Jane Goodall & Marc Bekoff, Harper, 2002
· For Bea, by Kristin Von Kreisler, Tarcher-Putnum, 2003
· Souls Like Ourselves: Inspired Thoughts for Personal and Planetary
Advancement, edited by Andrea Gillan Wiebers and David O. Wiebers,
Sojourn Press, 2000
· The Extended Circle: A Dictionary of Humane Thought, edited by Jon
Wynne-Tyson, Centaur Press, 1986
· Free the Animals: The Untold Story of the U.S. Animal Liberation
Front, by Ingrid Newkirk, Noble Press, 1992
· Pit's Letter, by Sue Coe, Four Walls Eight Windows, 2000
· Next of Kin: What Chimpanzees Have Taught Me About Who We Are, by
Roger Fouts, William Morrow and Company, 1997
On making a difference...
· Save the Animals: 101 Easy Things You Can Do, by Ingrid Newkirk,
Warner Books, 1990
· One Makes the Difference: Inspiring Actions that Change our World,
by Jullia Butterfly Hill, Harper, 2002
· In the Footsteps of Ghandi, by Catherine Ingram, Parallax Press,
1990
· Stone Soup for the World: Life Changing Stories of Kindess &
Courageous Acts of Service, edited by Marianne Larned, Conari Press,
1998
· Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey, by Jane Goodall, Warner
Books, 1999
On society and culture...
· An Unnatural Order: Why We Are Destroying the Planet and Each
Other, by Jim Mason, Continuum, 1998
· The Culture of Make Believe, by Derrick Jensen, Chelsea Green
Publishing, 2004
. Walking on Water: Reading, Writing and Revolution, by Derrick
Jensen, Chelsea Green Publishing, 2004
· Ishmael: An Adventure of Mind and Sprit, by Daniel Quinn, Bantam,
1995
Children's books...
· Pole Dog, by Tres Seymour, Orchard Books, 1993
· Unknown, by Colin Thompson, Walker Publishing, 2000
· One Day at Wood Green Animal Shelter, by Patricia Casey, Candlewick
Press, 2001
· I'll Always Love You, Hans Wilhelm, Crown Publishers, 1985
· Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea, Arthur Howard, Harcourt Brace &
Company, 1994
· Charlotte's Web, E.B. White, Harper & Row, 1952
Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Jan. 26, 2005