Can a “doomsday” pet site save dogs?
Can a “doomsday” pet site save dogs?
A dog is killed approximately every 9 seconds. This can be a tough site to visit. Tough to think about the number of dogs euthanized as you read this article. But if you are thinking about bringing a dog into your household, please visit this site now.
dogsindanger.com a site that has been up for just three weeks is hoping that by listing dogs that are scheduled to be euthanized it will help promote adoption of shelter dogs. The organization works with more than 120 shelters nationwide that euthanize dogs—there are, of course, many no-kill shelters.
On the site, if you search for a dog, you will get search results that show dogs name, breed, location, and euthanasia date. The front page keeps track of the number of dogs euthanized while you browse the site, as well.
What can you do? And tell your friends to adopt dogs instead of buying them. Adopting dogs rather than buying them will save thousands of dogs from being euthanized in shelters every day.
Top ten reasons why dogs are dumped at shelters.
1. Moving
2. Landlord not allowing pet
3. Too many animals in household
4. Cost of pet maintenance
5. Owner having personal problems
6. Inadequate facilities
7. No homes available for litter mates
8. Having no time for pet
9. Pet illness
10. Biting
Source: dogsindanger.com
Maureen Adams
October 17th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Imagine there’s a clock on the number of days every human being had to live. Makes you think, doesn’t it? That’s what Arlie Rufus and millions of others have learned about over the past few days as news spread about Dogs In Danger (www.dogsindanger.com). As a former “dog in danger†I have some strong feelings about the site and the methods to bring attention to all those dogs longing for a home.
You see, Arlie Rufus was lucky enough to find a home – one where there is much love. The dogs on dogsindanger.com are not as lucky – not yet. As the site began making news this week, there have been articles and stories written debating if this is a good or bad thing – showing the countdown in a dog’s life. Many, including animal shelters have complained that the tactics are a bit much and should not be used. I say we take the argument in another direction – and that is why such a site is even needed.
For too many years we have turned our heads to those who lack the responsibility or the humanity to care for dogs and other animals. They do not give us our shots, have us spayed or neutered, feed us or give us water. Many simply let us run wild – many to end up in a short-time shelter or worse – killed by a motorist. Are you getting what the Arlie Rufus is saying? Well what can you expect of some; you do not need a license or certificate or any real training to have a dog – but then again do you need this to have a baby? Now that’s food for thought.
So let’s look at this clock countdown. Is it dramatic? Of course. Is it extreme? Absolutely. Does it make us think and keep the conversation going? You bet your wagging tail. And for that much, it is worth it. Arlie Rufus is an advocate for the rights of all those who do not have a voice to speak. And in this instance, he says “keep the clocks tickingâ€. It makes an impression. It sends a message. And maybe, just maybe, it will make those who mistreat dogs and those with the capacity to give dogs a loving home think about what it would be like to have a web site with a countdown on their lives.
Arlie Rufus
http://www.myspace.com/arlierufus
November 4th, 2007 at 4:15 am
Hmmm… , i was looking for information on dogs, being a dog lover myself but i was directed to you site - anyway your post , looks to be very informative - i wish you success .
April 7th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I have been getting a ton of traffic on this post from StumbleUpon. A lot of curious folks and I wonder what goes through their mind when a post like this pops up. The activity has inspired me to revisit this issue and see if there is any new (hopefully good) news.
April 14th, 2008 at 1:06 am
Hey PM - Interesting find with this post. But I have to add another perspective.
Tactics like the one in this post, guilting people into getting a dog on emotion so it’s not killed, is not going to solve the problem. Nor is making the problem seem bigger than it really is.
The truth is, where you get your dog has nothing to do with:
Top ten reasons why dogs are dumped at shelters.
1. Moving
2. Landlord not allowing pet
3. Too many animals in household
4. Cost of pet maintenance
5. Owner having personal problems
6. Inadequate facilities
8. Having no time for pet
9. Pet illness
10. Biting
The only thing really involving where the pet comes from is:
7. No homes available for litter mates
… which implies people who are breeding who shouldn’t be.
Not 1, not even 1, of those issues is made worse by buying a dog from a good breeder. Not 1.
That’s why I have trouble with the solution being:
“What can you do? And tell your friends to adopt dogs instead of buying them. Adopting dogs rather than buying them will save thousands of dogs from being euthanized in shelters every day.”
The statement is true that grabbing up those dogs prevent them from dying. But it doesn’t do anything to prevent them from showing up in shelters in the first place. In fact, dogs from shelters are more likely to go back to shelters than any other source.
Buying a dog from a good breeder does work against those issues. Here’s how.
1. Moving
2. Landlord not allowing pet
3. Too many animals in household
5. Owner having personal problems
6. Inadequate facilities
8. Having no time for pet
>> A good breeder takes the time to vet their buyers, making sure that they have the resources to be good owners. That would limit the number of dogs abandoned because of the above reasons. Many breeders agree to take their dogs back at any time for any reason, preventing dogs that don’t work out from ever burdening the shelter system.
4. Cost of pet maintenance
>> Well bred dogs cost money. People are unlikely to spend good money to buy a dog and then cheap out on maintenance.
7. No homes available for litter mates
>> This is not an issue with good breeders. No one who breeds and then can’t sell all of the litter can be considered a good breeder. These are likely OOPS! litters.
9. Pet illness
10. Biting
>> Good breeders test for health issues and socialize their puppies to minimize behavioral problems like biting.
If you are honest, you can also see that the shelter system makes some of those problems worse, not better.
Shelter dogs are cheap, so some people can afford the dog but not maintenance. Poorly run shelters also lead to mental issues in the dogs. Shelters also don’t have the ability to screen all their patrons, at least not as well as a breeder who is getting paid well and who doesn’t have a countdown clock on each animal.
The euthanization of cats is much worse than that of dogs, and whereas 25%+ of dogs come from breeders, only 3% of cats do. I think that observation suggests that the positive culture created by having people pay breeders good money for good pets helps curtail the issues of 5% euthanasia.
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