Pet Adoption, Rescue or Shelters

Poll: Euthanasia to Control Shelter Population Unpopular

Carol L. Glasser — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:45:00 -0800

This poll examined attitudes toward killing companion animals in shelters in order to control pet overpopulation. Seven out of 10 respondents did not support killing animals unless they are "unadoptable" due to illness or aggressiveness.

The AP-Petside.com Poll

Carol L. Glasser — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:45:00 -0800

The AP-Petside.com Poll is an annual survey of people with companion animals. It asks questions about where companion animals were obtained, attitudes about adoption, number of companions in the household, and personal experience at shelters, among other questions.

Dog Bites Stats and Solutions

Jill Howard Church — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:00:00 -0800

Despite public perception to the contrary (often based on media reports), serious dog bites are relatively rare, and no particular breed is more likely to be responsible for them. A publication issued by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services examined statistics and circumstances related to dog-related incidents, and is formulating more effective strategies to improve public safety.

Adopting More Black Dogs and Cats: How the Meet Your Match Program Can Combat Big Black Dog Syndrome

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:45:00 -0800

In this final installment of the Big Black Dog Syndrome blog series, the ASPCA's Meet Your Match program will be discussed as it relates to helping re-home black dogs and cats.The biggest problem thwarting black dog and cat adoptions is a lack of interest in their website photograph (potential adopters are not drawn to the animal), and that potential adopters walk right by black animals in the kennel because they blend into the background. The use of the Meet Your Match program to guide potential adopters toward an animal that suits their lifestyle and personality, also has the ability to get potential adopters to stop and meet the black dogs and cats available for adoption - thereby increasing the chances that those black dogs and cats will be adopted.

HRC Happenings: Guest Bloggers and Grassroots Research

Che Green — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:45:00 -0800

Do you know a small organization doing great work for animals? If so, please make sure they hear about HRC's Grassroots Research Fund, the deadline for which is now just one month away (January 1st). The group(s) we select will receive pro bono research projects of up to $5,000 to help them evaluate and improve their work and help more animals. Also, any donations to HRC during the month of December will be earmarked for the Grassroots Research Fund so that we can help even more small groups in 2012. And be sure to check out our two guest blogs from the past month covering the topics of Big Black Dog syndrome and vegetarian/vegan recidivism. Thank you for reading!

Finding Lost Companion Animals: The Effectiveness of Tags and Microchips

Carol L. Glasser — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:45:00 -0800

Each year, 6-8 million dogs and cats enter shelters and 3-4 million of these animals are killed due primarily to a lack of space. These animals come from a variety of sources; they may be strays, relinquished by their human companions, or simply lost. Unfortunately, only 30% of dogs and 2-5% of cats entering shelters are claimed by their human companion. Returning more lost animals to their families can help reduce shelter populations and make many cats, dogs, and people very happy.

A Survey of the Methods Used in Shelter and Rescue Programs to Identify Feral and Frightened Pet Cats

Carol L. Glasser — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 07:45:00 -0800

Animal shelters often have different policies for feral cats and cats who are socialized. Researchers sought to determine how animal shelters decide whether cats are feral, socialized cats who are frightened, or semi-feral cats that had once lived with people and could do so again, but who had been living outside for a time. Most respondents were from the US, though there were also respondents from Canada, the UK, Puerto Rico, and Guam. In total, only 15% of these shelters had any written guidelines to follow.

Tales of Happy Reunions Boost Interest in Pet Microchipping

Carol L. Glasser — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:45:00 -0800

A 185% increase in microchipping of companion animals in the U.S. was reported in the weeks following the reunion of Willow, a cat lost in New York City, with her family in Colorado. The reunion was made possible by her being microchipped. Overall, microchipping is on the rise and better technology is being developed to help reunite lost companion animals and their humans.

Why Color Matters: How Color Symbolism and Social Memory Impact Big Black Dog Syndrome

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:45:00 -0800

In my last article about Big Black Dog Syndrome, I detailed tactics for re-homing black dogs and cats during Halloween. The color-based discrimination that black dogs and cats face is so deeply engrained within US culture that it is acted upon unconsciously, and is an unalterable aspect of our culture. However, through education, potential adopters can be made aware of their unintentional biases, increasing the chances that potential adopters will adopt a black dog or cat. Because education is the key to thwarting the negative effects of Big Black Dog (BBD) Syndrome, this article will explore how even from early childhood, concepts of color – in this case, the color black – are engrained within our social memory.

Aggression, Behaviour, and Animal Care Among Pit Bulls and Other Dogs Adopted from an Animal Shelter

Carol L. Glasser — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:45:00 -0800

The authors assert that most studies of pit bull aggression are based on pit bulls that were taught to fight or were strays with little knowledge of their background. This study adds to knowledge about pit bull agression by examining pit bull behaviors among those who were adopted into normal environments. The authors found similar to lower levels of agression among pit bulls versus other dogs adopted out of the same shelter.