Nancy’s Part - (There is no creature on Earth that shares exactly the same bond with humans as the modern dog does. We value dogs, putting their unique skills to work on farms herding animals, hunting, specifically pointers and retrievers, extend our ability to capture game. We see scent dogs at work all around us, keeping us safe from explosives, finding dangerous contraband and drugs. They are invaluable in the aftermath of disaster in finding people who might be trapped or during recovery. Service dogs aid humans in everything from guiding the blind to alerting patients who are about to have a seizure or a blood sugar spike, to providing a calming presence to help us through anxious situations. Family dogs, with no special training other than household manners fill a hole we never knew we had. They comfort us with unconditional love, alert us when someone is at the door, and teach youngsters about empathy and responsibility.)
Brooke’s Part - (Well, if dogs are so great, why do we need shelters? Unfortunately, 3.9 million dogs are surrendered to shelters in the United States annually. About 1.4 million will be adopted or fostered, but too many, 1.2 million will be euthanized. The remainder are either returned/claimed by their original owners and some die of natural causes (Pet Statistics, 2016). Dogs find themselves in shelters for many reasons, all of them stemming from human mistakes. People abandon dogs when they have been ignorant of breed characteristics when choosing a pet. A common reason for giving up on a dog is not enough time to train him properly, or not knowing how to do so. Finally, some people have not been taught a sense of responsibility, that once you assume ownership of a dog, he’s yours for life. What can we do about it? First, spay and neuter dogs so they do not add to the overpopulation. Reputable shelters have policies that dogs who are old enough are spayed or neutered before they are adopted and it’s making a difference. Remember, it’s the “fix” that does the most good.
Brett’s Part - (People who care must do what they can to educate the public on the potential of shelter dogs. We see bumper stickers all the time indicating the driver is a rescue dad or mom. Taking one dog out of the shelter system gives another the chance to survive. Nonprofit organizations are making a big impact on the problem of educating the public when they provide funds to police and other groups to purchase a shelter dog, train the dog and support it in its work. When handlers are interviewed, one of the first things they talk about is the fact that this dog came from a rescue shelter. Celebrities are lending their star power to the cause as well. Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers purchases dogs from shelters and pays for them to be trained for all kinds of work. Sarah McLachlan, singer/songwriter, has made it her life’s work to bring attention to the plight of unwanted, neglected and abandoned dogs. So, here’s the deal: If you are thinking about getting a dog, make the right choice of breed mix for your family, make it a shelter rescue, and follow through on proper training. If you are not able to add a dog to your home, consider donating to one of the organizations mentioned at the end of the video.
BROOKE: The ASPCA has been helping to save the lives of animals for 150 years, if you would like to help save innocent animals, please donate to the ASPCA via http://www.aspca.org.
BRETT: Looking to donate something else besides money and want to make a local impact? Contact your local veterinarian. Some can use volunteers or other supplies such as dog food, blankets, towels.
NANCY: The Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society, in Menands, NY. Since 2006, every cat and dog that is adopted has already been spayed or neutered making a huge difference in the problem of overcrowded shelters.
Pet Statistics. (2016). Retrieved from
Here is the video we came up with! We used pictures from a free use website, as well as pictures of our own pets.
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