"No Kill Nation"- a feasible option?
I have heard plenty of people talking about the "No Kill Nation" movement, always hand in hand with the "myth" of pet overpopulation. After hearing about it i decided to look into it because it would be a dream come true if there really was such a simple solution to all the pain and horror of dog rescue. Unfortunetly, I have yet to read a single sentence on their website that is in the least bit practicle. It reads more like a 4th graders school project on an animal-rescue utopia. Has anyone done any research on this group!
6 out of the 10 steps to reform that this group suggests for a "no kill nation" rely on the public caring...even just a little. I don't know what planet they live on but I drive coast to coast for work at least 5 times a year, I know this country better than most politicians and, though I wish it weren't true, the vast majority of this nation could not possibly care less about shelter dogs. Their own dogs? They love them to death, but dogs in need? Someone else's problem.
The other 4 suggestions rely heavily on resources and funds that are already spread far too thin but would be minuscule if they took in and kept every single animal that the public dumps on them.
Does this group really expect every single shelter to keep every single animal? They want a staff of 10 to care for 20,000 animals at a time? Our small town SPCA gets on average 20,000 dogs and cats each year (this does not count small animals or livestock) It's really more humane to expect 20,000 animals to live in 75 kennels and be cared for by 10 people? Obviously this isnt what this group was picturing but it's the reality of what they are lobbying for. Please go to their website and tell me what you think.
An I understanding the entire purpose of this group wrong?
I'm sorry but the reality is that no, the average pet owner is NOT spaying a neutering and even worse, they are buying from BYBs and puppy mills. 10 years of independent APBT rescue has made all the aware of the realities of this nation. People look out for number 1- they buy a cute puppy from a BYB or puppy mill, let it breed and then call themselves "dog lovers"- that is NOT a dog lover.
Ama- yes, I have spent quite a bit of time in kill shelters, as I mentioned earlier I rescue American Pit Bull Terriers, I'm the person that saves dogs from the kill shelters. My point is the only way no kill shelters (which I would obviously love to see as the norm) are not possible if the general public can't be bothered to do the right thing when buying a dog.
Shelters and rescues can make all the changes in the world but until people stop supporting BYBs and puppy mills nothing can change. What's worse is this group is pushing the idea that the pet overpopulation is a MYTH made up by shelters so that they can keep killing animals. Really? They are actually lessening the chances of dogs getting adopted. I'm surprised the SPCA hasn't sued them for slander.