Second Chance: Educating the Younger Generation

27 Nov Second Chance: Educating the Younger Generation

FOX

A recent survey, conducted by Best Friends Animal Society, the Utah sanctuary that’s one of the leaders in the no-kill movement, shed light on pet owners’ attitudes toward the sources of pets.

The study focused on people 18 to 34 years old and, although details of the size and scope of the study are not available, the results show that nearly half—46 percent—of these relatively young adults found shelter animals less desirable than animals purchased from breeders or pet stores. That misconception needs to be addressed NOW.

The bottom line on the results is this: the pro-shelter/pro-adoption message is being lost on young people. The survey also uncovered a misconception among young adults: 40 percent don’t believe shelter animals are at risk.  That proved to be quite a surprise to many in the industry and further studies need to be conducted to validate the numbers.

“In the last decade, animal rescue and animal rescue organizations have become so prominent, people have been bumping into them and (you) would have thought their experience and their concept of the market would have been different. I would have thought this age bracket would have been pretty heavily exposed to animals for adoption,” said  Francis Battista, vice chairman at Best Friends.

Although more than half of those surveyed did recognize that animals from breed rescues have the same problems, including behavior and health challenges, shelter animals are supposed to have, it is clear the animal welfare industry must continue fighting that “damaged goods” canard.  Another issue is that younger people may not realize that just about any breed is available through shelters or breed-specific rescues.

When potential pet owners, young or old, understand that it’s easy to find terrific companion animals in shelters, these survey results will change. They must. The Best Friends study certainly provides an impetus to continue with marketing initiatives such as The Shelter Pet Project.  That is a collaborative effort between two leading animal welfare groups, The Humane Society of the United States, Maddie’s Fund, and the leading producer of public service advertising (PSA) campaigns, The Ad Council. The Project promotes the fact that pets in shelters are wonderful and lovable and should be the first place to look when acquiring a new best friend. And not out of guilt, but with full faith they will find great pets who deserve great homes.

 DIGGER:

My name is Digger. I am homeless not because I am a bad cat or a problem cat – but because my family was allergic to me and my friend L’il Bit.  I am long, lean and large but have the calmest of personalities and would make an excellent family pet. I am only four, but I am a very thoughtful feline. A person is the best thing to happen to a shelter pet.  Be that person. Adopt me.

FOX:

And my name is Fox. I am such a handsome, wonderful dog it makes no sense whatsoever that I am homeless. And I am hoping to be in my new home for the holidays, where I can strut my stuff. I am a Swiss Bordita, weighing in at 60 pounds at only 10 months of age. I will be a big boy – with a big heart: I love other dogs and people  – and life.

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Well, pet heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue. Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles at least one, generally two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)