Eight shelters are responsible for killing 50% of the dogs and cats killed in Michigan shelters in 2010. For a listing go to www.michiganpetfund.org.
Although many will argue high kill rates are due to lack of
money, shelter space, irresponsible pet owners, pet overpopulation, bad condition of the animals brought to the shelter…..the
truth is that many of Michigan’s shelters conduct their operations the same way
they have for the last 20, 30 even 50 years.
In Livingston County, we have witnessed a COMPLETE
turn-around at the county shelter with new shelter director Debbie
Oberle. In 2009, ½ of the animals that entered the shelter were
killed. We expect that in 2011 the shelter report will reveal – with one
full year of operation under her belt that Livingston County will be close to
saving 90% of the animals that enter the shelter. The county didn’t increase
the budget, the shelter didn’t get larger, and people didn’t wake up one day
and become better pet owners – no – Ms. Oberle just started incorporating
modern programs with a passion of saving lives.
Citizens in Livingston County in 2009 went to the County
Commission and demanded change and accountability of their tax dollars at the
shelter. They are now getting it. The
questions is - - - will other communities demand accountability of their tax
dollars and will those who contribute to animal welfare not for profit shelters
demand accountability for their donations? Or is the status quo – killing
innocent homeless cats and dogs acceptable?
The answer that most folks would give is that there are not enough homes - - - overpopulation. And that answer is somewhat true but not totally true…you see this year 17 million American families will bring a dog or cat into their home. And if their first choice was a homeless shelter or rescue pet we would not be euthanizing 4 million dogs and cats each year. Instead, we would reduce the demand of pets purchased from pet stores supplied by puppy mills or from breeders.
So in reality there isn’t an “overpopulation” of animals. There is just less demand for homeless shelter pets.
How do we increase the demand of shelter pets so we don’t have 118,000 cats and dogs killed each year in Michigan shelters? There are some simple answers….
1. Increase public awareness of dogs and cats available in shelters and from rescue organizations. Shortly there will be nationally released Public Service Announcements on radio and TV. These PSA are being sponsored by Maddies Fund to raise public awareness of homeless dogs and cats in shelters. Hopefully they will work.
2. Educate the general public that purebreds are available from shelters and rescues – Some people are attracted to a particular breed and believe that the only way to get one is through a pet store or breeder. Anywhere from 25 – 30% of the animals in shelters are purebred. In addition, there are breed specific rescue organizations.
3. Incorporate 21st of Century Best Practices into sheltering – These best practices include: flexible shelter hours, a cheery atmosphere, use of foster homes, collaboration with rescue groups, spay/neuter prior to adoption, use of volunteers, participation in adoption events, maximum use of marketing techniques – such as good written descriptions and photos of available pets on Pet Finder.
4. Incorporation of 21st Century Best Practices by Rescue Organizations – These best practices include: A well managed/run organization that responds to inquiries. A reasonable adoption application and adoption process – (more animals will find homes if the bar for a home is set at good – not perfect), spay/neuter prior to adoption, regular showings at adoption events, maximum use of marketing techniques – such as good written descriptions and photos of available pets on Pet Finder.
What ideas do you have?
You may hear a shelter or rescue group describe themselves as “no-kill” and other people comment that “no-kill” is unrealistic - - - after all, we have animals that are very ill or aggressive and the kindest thing you can do is to put them out of their misery or protect the public by euthanizing the animal.
“No-kill” is a rallying cry; a slogan that defines a movement. The term “no-kill” clearly and powerfully protests the status quo - - -that being the killing of savable animals. At the same time, it describes a new approach to animal sheltering and a new commitment to saving lives within animal welfare organizations and communities. So what does the Michigan Pet Alliance mean by the term “no-kill”? We use the Maddie’s Fund definition which is saving both healthy and treatable dogs and cats, reserving euthanasia only for unhealthy and untreatable animals. You can find the full definition on our website.
Some organizations call themselves “no-kill” while at the same time they “select” which homeless animals they take into their care or close their doors when they are full. These rescues and shelters are more accurately Adoption Guarantee organizations.
Other shelters, either by law or charter have no choice in what animals come through their doors - they must accept them all - - - whether there is room for them or not. These are the organizations which should rightly wear the moniker of “no-kill” if they can meet the litmus test. With an overpopulation of companion animals in Michigan it takes a real commitment to work towards a “no-kill” status and a REAL ACHIEVEMENT to meet the criteria.
Status quo is not only an ethical question - - - it is just bad government for those municipal shelters that euthanize as a solution to overpopulation. We have been euthanizing animals in shelters for over 60 years and have not solved the over population problem. Einstein described insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. We must hold our governments accountable in solving the pet overpopulation problem with solutions that work.
The Michigan Pet Fund Alliance has worked with the Oakland Pet Adoption Center (Oakland County Animal Control) for the last 5 years. The county committed to working to become a “no-kill” shelter. It has not been easy and it has not happened overnight but they are just about there and will be there by our established goal of 2010.
We as an animal welfare community and pet lovers need to commit to changing the status quo. We need to commit to collaborating with each other. We need to keep focused on a vision where no healthy or treatable animal is euthanized and pour our energies into achieving the goal of a “no-kill” state by holding our governments responsible for solutions that work.
We welcome your comments in creating a “no-kill” state for Michigan and encourage all shelters to adopt Maddie’s definitions, so we can begin to speak the same language.
Welcome to the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance Blog. It is our hope that Michigan Pet Lovers will dialogue through this blog on various Pet Welfare issues. We believe that through our conversations, we can learn - rally support and make the necessary changes - to make life better for our furry friends in Michigan.