Letting Dogs Play and Experience the World Together Is One of the Best Ways to Increase Adoptions
You may have noticed that we spend a significant amount of our time and resources teaching shelters about kennel enrichment and playgroups. We thought we’d take some time to explain how kennel enrichment and playgroups fit in with our mission to secure equal treatment and opportunity for “pit bull” dogs.
The Good News You Didn’t Hear About in 2013
It seems like just the other day that we were writing the 2012 wrap up (read that here). But here we are at the end of 2013 already! We’re excited to report that the positive trends we shared with you a year ago are still in full effect: Towns across the country are continuing to […]
“Pit Bull” Dogs: A Petfinder Photo Sampler
We’ve picked this random group of dogs from Petfinder to illustrate three things: 1. There is no agreed upon or standard definition of a “Pit Bull.” Through our work we have come to understand that the phrase “pit bull” means something different to everyone. Animal welfare workers don’t agree on how to define “pit bull”. Law […]
Ambassador Dog Programs: Evolving “Pit Bull” Dog Adoptions
Earlier this year we shared a blog about the successes that The Animal Rescue League of Iowa and their Pit Crew have accomplished on behalf of “pit bull” dogs and their people. In reflecting on their successes and how times have changes, ARL has decided to end their “pit bull” specific programs in order to […]
Children and Dogs: Expert Tips for Making Great Matches
How do we know when a dog is the right fit for a family with children? Is breed a good indicator of whether or not a dog will be good with kids? What do parents need to know to set everyone up for safe, fun interactions? If you’ve been wondering about these kind of questions, […]
“Too Many Pit Bulls”: A Case of Psychic Numbing
We have too many pit bulls. All we have are pit bulls. We have a pit bull problem. Nobody wants to adopt our pit bulls. Across the country, in interviews with the local news, these sound bites are repeated over and over. Usually intended to be a call for help, a positive plug for the […]
Naming Shelter Dogs: The Framing Effect
Xena, Brutus, Trigger, Monster, Ruger, Tank, Harley, Chopper, Flex, Maximus, Whiskey, Storm, Tyson, Gunner, Bullet, Boss… Before you name your shelter dogs*, consider this: You can influence your adopters perceptions of “pit bull” dogs, starting with the names that you give them. That’s because their names frame them. It’s the context for how adopters will interpret the dogs in front of them. What’s the deal with framing? Framing is the way that […]
Progressive Animal Sheltering: Dogs are Individuals First
Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be. – Khalil Gibran As today’s animal sheltering professionals increasingly focus on providing dogs with quality care and getting to know them as individuals – through standardized evaluations, volunteer notes and foster programs, play groups, enrichment, and more – it’s time to […]
Moving Animal Sheltering Forward: Individuality Takes the Lead
Shelters are in the business of sending pets home. If our goal is to provide shelter dogs with the best care during their stays, save more lives, and make better matches for adopters, we have to focus on their individual pet qualities first and foremost. That’s why we were discouraged to read the latest blog […]
Victims of Cruelty are Individuals Too
Every dog is an individual, regardless of their past, and all dogs deserve to be evaluated, free of biases and assumptions based on their looks, breed, or how they were previously treated. Dogs rescued from dog fighting are victims of cruelty, but they are still individuals first and they deserve fair treatment. The National Animal Control Association, […]