More than 30 years ago the concept of No-Kill was introduced. The idea was simple — no adoptable or rehabilitatable animal in a shelter should be killed. There were two early advocates — Pets Alive and Best Friends.
We strongly believe in No-Kill at Pets Alive, and we have been the alternative to killing for hundreds of animals over the years.
No-Kill seems like a No-Brainer, doesn’t it? Who would be on Kill side? How about a veritable who’s who of the animal rescue and animal rights community, including People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
There’s a great article on the Sports Page of the New York Times about the “rift” among animal rights advocates. It’s on the sports page, of course, because of the Michael Vick case.
The judge ordered Vick to pay almost a million dollars to cover the care of the dogs – $5,000 each for adoptable dogs and $18,275 for each dog going to the sanctuary, in this case Best Friends. Here’s the argument:
Kill (Represented by PETA): Dogs trained for fighting should be killed because they are unsafe and unserviceable. The money should be used for spaying and neutering, as well as providing care for more suitable and less well-known adoption candidates.
No-Kill (Represented by Best Friends): Fighting dogs are forced to lead brutal lives and should not receive death sentences.
Shame on you PETA. Later in the article PETA claims to believe in the ideal of the no-kill shelter. What a crock. Again..No-Kill is simple — if a dog can be rehabilitated, he lives. There are no degrees of suitable as the above words imply — either the dog can be rehabbed or not. PETA calls the Vick dogs “the least likely candidates for success.” Again…it’s simple. Can they be rehabilitated? If so, they live. That’s it.
PETA is certainly a killing machine. As Michael Mountain, one of the founders of Best Friends points out, “[it’s difficult] to explain away the fact that pretty much all of the animals you rescue, you kill.” In fact, according to this website PETA kills 97% of the animals it takes in. There’s a belief in the ideal of the no-kill shelter.
Shelters who kill animals and advocates of killing animals for space or convenience argue that we no-kill people are unrealistic and unreasonable. No-kill saves animals when everyone is on the same side and works together, not only to get animals rehabilitated, medically cared for and adopted, but works on the underlying problem of animals getting into the shelters in the first place by spaying and neutering every animal that leaves the shelter, offering spay/neuter to the general public, sponsoring classes in obedience and basic care and spending time convincing owners that want to turn in their animals that they are better off keeping them.
As an aside, I’d like to talk about this ludicrous statement from PETA: Dogs trained for fighting should be killed because they are unsafe and unserviceable. Garbage. I have one. His name is Pooh. He is one of the gentlest, sweetest dogs I have ever had. He squeals with delight when I come through the door every day, steals shoes and socks and gently slides sticks of butter off the kitchen counter.
He is a legend in my neighborhood. And if PETA had their way he’d be dead, like most of the animals entrusted to their care.
So anyway, even the New York Times reporter gets the whole no-kill concept. “[Peta is] on the wrong side of this…issue. If a dog can be rehabilitated, rehabilitate; if a life can be saved, save it.” Perfect.
Lastly, I’d like to quote Michael Mountain once again (this quote is on the back of our business cards): The bottom line is that as long as people believe that killing homeless pets is one of those necessary evils that can never be stopped then it will never be stopped.”
Pick your side. The war has begun.
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I believe this goes beyond dogs trained for fighting. I believe that PETA does not sanction leaving an animal in a sanctuary for the rest of its life. Believe it or not, I think they have called it cruel.
How cruel was it for Pets Alive to keep my Max, Rosie, Allie, Domino, Clyde, and Attenborough, FIV+ cats all, alive when they knew how difficult it was to find adopters for these cats? How cruel is it to give a warm, safe, lifetime home to feral cats who will probably never accept humans enough to be adopted?
Given PETA’s wild, blood-throwing campaigns, huge financial backing and star power, it seems unimaginable that their fundamental principals are either tacitly approved by their supporters or unknown to them.
HURRAY FOR YOU MATT! I AM ON YOUR SIDE ALL THE WAY. ANY DOG COULD BE SAVED, IF SOMEONE CARES ENOUGH. MAYBE NOT ALWAYS ADOPTABLE DUE TO NO FAULT OF IT’S OWN……BUT IS STILL ENTITLED TO LIVE IN A SAFE PLACE AND RECEIVE AS MUCH LOVE AS THE DOG WILL ALLOW. THIS IS WHY PETA DOES NOT GET ANY OF MY HARD EARNED MONEY. THE GROUPS LIKE PETS ALIVE, BEST FRIENDS, ANIMAL COMPASSION NETWORK HERE IN ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA….THEY GET MY MONEY TO GO TOWARDS HELPING AN ANIMAL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC TO BE BETTER, RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERS!!!….NOT FOR KILLING!!!!!!
ANOTHER DOG LOVER,
ELAINE
P E T A – PEOPLE for EXTERMINATION and TERRORIST acts against ANIMALS…thats what it really stands for. How can someone say they are against killing of animals but DO IT THEMSELVES. These people that “save” animals from living their lives out in shelters, but their idea of saving is to KILL them because they feel it’s cruel that a dog/cat is in a shelter. Ok PETA people get a clue..it’s the animals only chance of finding a forever home. Best Friends is a perfect example of how wonderful shelter life could be. There are dogs in good loving homes that don’t have the kind of freedom that Best Friends offers. And that is not to put down other shelters. All shelters do their best, these volunteers who have feed, loved and cared for these animals don’t want to put these animals down, but it’s the unfortunate truth that some shelters have to until the masses can be taught that they need to spay and neuter, they have to stop buying pets from stores and go to shelters to adopt! Thank God there are places like Best Friends and Pets Alive where animals have a chance!
Ugh…this is a long fight but one worth fighting and I’m on your side! GO MATT! GO MICHAEL!! GO ALL THE WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS OUT THERE! I am humbled by you all!
First, let me say I totally believe in no-kill and admire the work that PetsAlive and BestFriends does.
However, I feel compelled to point out that PeTA does some good things for the animal rights movement and I think it is unfair to forget that. Their actions can be extreme but they get the attention of the public. They have performed many undercover investigations to expose the horrors of factory farming, for example.
It saddens me that PeTA does not think no-kill will work – and I will tell them so. But, possibly worse is the “fighting” between these really great organizations. Please consider trying to work together to get past this issue so that the animal rights movement can continue to move forward.
You go, Matt. You are absolutely right on the mark. Killing is no solution–never has been, never will be. Best Friends and other organziations, like Pets Alive, who are willing to rehabilitate will show that it is possible. It is the only right and fair action we can take for animals who are wholly dependent on us. Thinking–and acting–outside the box always brings detractors, but when you’re right, you’re right.
When I watched the news a few days ago, there were several National organizations recommending euthanizing the dogs which were from the M. Vic seizure. Best friends highlighted the positive outcomes of such saved dogs and how loving they had become with their integration progress.
We up here are a no kill shelter and will not euthanize for space or because of issues which pitbulls face after coming out of fighting; they are worked with and placed in trusted homes where their needs have been identified and are maintained. So many of these dogs make very loving pets; too often this is over looked. Often people are reluctant to look at the breed yet these are such sweet dogs; proper permanent home placement is essential and they foster in the loved they are given.
Thank you for spotlighting the salient issue with PETA; many people have no idea of what staff, volunteers, and trainers go through with these dogs [who have been through hell] to find them permanent loving homes. Euthanizing is not an option providing a loving environment is essential; it’s seeking good alternatives. Good adoption/foster practice get them out of a shelter to their forever homes.
Pet’s Alive does a wonderful job and should be recognized by more people for the work & efforts to save the lives of animals. PETA gives everyone, no kill shelter’s and Sanctuaries, a bad name. People really need to be aware of PETA’s Practices. Thank you for highlighting the matter!
Great article. Better perspective than most. I hope that more fighting dogs can be saved.
I don’t despise PeTA. I respect and applaud the fact that they have been, for years, a strong and sure, dominating force in bringing the suffering of animals at human hands—to human attention. But I will not support them because of what they do in the Shelters. I believe it to be warped and egocentrically heartless. I believe it embraces the most negative attitude possible at the expense of precious, individual lives that, at the very least, deserve help, not death. All of those special, separate lives become one large, dispensable whole bearing this impersonal stamp: Better Off Dead Than Alive.
In the area of undercover expose of ag industry abuse, PeTA has presented, to the public, some of the best footage ever obtained—and it’s made a difference. In the area of fur, PeTA led the way, and almost single handedly brought the atrocities of that industry into public focus; in doing so, they changed the way millions regard fur and clothing, forever. In the area of animal testing, again—PeTA let in the light, and the public recoiled in horror. They have made a difference in the lives of countless animals, for the better, in these campaigns.
In the shelters, however, they don’t help—they kill. In large numbers. En masse. Adoption is not the goal. Removing the adoption candidates is the goal. No more pets, no more pet owners. That’s the formula. Research their work, in the shelters, just a little, and you will see.
Matt is right. It’s a war. Life vs. Death. You choose. And then, support your choice. Lives in shelters aren’t saved by wishes and head nods. They are saved by people giving of their time and money and spirits, giving of their own lives, to make the dream of Saving Lives a reality.
Donate. Volunteer. Help Save Lives. It gets down, in the end, to each and every one of us, this saving of lives thing. It gets down to You. Up close and personal. Down to You.
Many people who support PeTA are unaware of this aspect of their principles—their Euthanasia Policy. But, there is a Policy. People should know
In shelter’s under their [PETA’s] control, that may be the issue. However, not in all shelters as a generalization. I just wanted to clarify that. If an organization has an affiliation which seems similar to a national organization does not mean they are one of the same.
Much like the HSUS; they have a good base for rescues during national crisis; however, they also were pro-euthanizing of the Pit’s. As a Shelter up here in Dutchess; we are not–we mimic more of a sanctuary then a typical shelter.
Matt,
BRAVO!!!! It is so comforting to read your blog, especially for someone like me who, too often, has to defend her belief in the no-kill movement with close minded people. This is a war that must be won and we will succeed through education and unity. It is good to have the support of the media! Let us hope that more news reports will educate the public about the sensless policies of organizations as PETA and the Humane Society of the United States. People need to be enlightened to adopt policies that will lead to a world where no pet will be killed, due to a lack of loving homes. To quote a saying of my native country…”l’unione fa la forza” (unity makes us strong)! Let us all work together to bring an end to the sensless killing of our best friends.
http://www.peta.org/mc/factsheet_display.asp?ID=39
I found this and was appalled at the third paragraph. Citing that animals are in surplus [yes, we all are aware of that fact & why we work so hard for rehab] yet entice “Shelter workers” to release the animal from life using IV injection.*
Where is education, spay/neuter, rehab, and placing a dog/cat in a forever home considered? Yes, everyone has seen the animal which we would love to see go to a good home, stay too long at a shelter; however, I see where PETA forgot that good adoptions and matches places the animal in a good home. Even the conditions at a shelter, the staff, volunteers, and others love these animals and this is the most love they have seen to date. If they stay too long? Someone DOES take them home–to a wonderful life. It that unplanned pet we brought in to our homes and hearts; furthermore, has been one of our best pets and friends.
Matt, I apologize for posting on this subject so much but I have to show that link since I wanted to see it myself. I did go directly to the PETA media/press site; it’s archived from the Internet today by myself. I find it unconscionable that they further go into [the same article]about the time we have to euthanize our own animals. It seems they blur the boundaries of the issue to conceal their blatantly stated “shelter worker should do” under the guise of dealing with “end of life issues” with your own pet…
* cited by myself, archived from the Internet on 3/13/08 from PETA Media Center at 13:13.
Thank God for Best Friends!!! Some of the dogs from the Vick case may never be adopted, though I hope I’m wrong, but will always have a place to live, not be killed, at Best Friends.The only ones who should be put down from the vick case is michael Vick and his partners in the dog fighting ring. The dogs aren’t vicious…it’s the people involved who are!
I’ve known PETA was just a group that liked to make noise for years. This was reaffirmed last year when a report out of (I believe it was Chicago) reported in a Best Friends magazine showed how PETA had “RESCUED” a number of dogs from a local no kill shelter and then the animals were found dead in a dumpster. Charges were filed but I never heard the outcome. Do you have any info on that?
We all try the best we can and give so much time to God’s helpless creatures. I have even been, able after months, been able to turn couple of dogs that weren’t vicious just over playful with mouthing and at times bit. PETA probably would have put them down also. Many just haven’t found the right family yet. Every dog that playfully bits is not a mean animal and many times, like the Vic dogs, its not their fault. They have been thrown to wolves, so to speak. Or should I say they have been thrown to viciouis humans.
Thank you for all you do!
Christy, et al,
Sorry…I can’t GET ALONG with Peta. They have chosen death over life in this argument and there’s no room for compromise. Linda Brink is absolutely right, as are you in one respect — Peta has done a great job in exposing factory farming and other animal suffering.
Unfortunately they have also CAUSED and advocate a lot of animal suffering, and kill the animals in their care. I don’t have to hear any more.
We scrape and scratch for every dollar. Kerry’s salary is ridiculously low. Mine is non-existent. The organizations with which we work are in the same boat. PETA kills 97% of the animals in its care and takes in $30 million a year. Sigh.
Matt: Why apologize? Yes, they have gotten the spotlight on issues but their internal policies do not align with any local shelters. I felt for a long time they were incorrect in their beliefs on animal care; it’s time for people to look and to see what is happening.
This is why people need to know about their surrounding animal organizations and what they stand for; what is their mission/vision? What are their policies? People should know prior to donating their money–check the organization see what your money goes towards. Pulling back to organizations which are within our communities is vital to success; National organizations are fine but the economy cannot hold all levels. Apparently people have not really looked into PETA yet put their money there; wasteful spending & a top heavy organization.
Frank: If you search the Internet at depth you will find your answer but do not search their main site, search their media site and how they spin the information. They are pro-terminating strays. There is information dating back to 2003 citing the same statistics Matt has stated; search court cases and findings. Also open letters from those who have Pitbull rescues begging PETA to stop & these animals are salvageable. The M. Vick issue is merely one showing some animals which may be adopted in the future. I am familiar with the pits–yes, they become adoptable included the bait dogs. And many do very well introduced into a household where there is another dog. Sometimes they have to be adopted in to households where there is an older husband and wife with no other animals; HOWEVER, they do very well! And they are adopted out with these guidelines.
PETAs workers were acquitted of animal cruelty charges but convicted of littering for dumping bodies. Their killing for convenience became a matter of public record and their death van was seized.
http://tinyurl.com/26d8su
There’s no need to take PETA’s kill numbers at their VA shelter and HQ second-hand, as they’re required to report them to the state of VA. Their recently-filed (and extremely late) 2006 numbers are available from the state here:
http://tinyurl.com/2tlk6l
The columns that we are concerned with are the surrendered by owner vs. euthanized (a misnomer if I’ve ever heard it) columns – the “other” intake is usually animals temporarily in their custody for spay/neuter and their return is reflected in the “reclaimed by owner” category. According to their own numbers, they took in 3043 animals and killed 2981. They adopted out 12. Yep, 12. Pathetic.
“I would go to work early, before anyone got there, and I would just kill the animals myself… I must have killed a thousand of them, sometimes dozens every day.” –Ingrid Newkirk, President of PETA, 2003 New Yorker interview, on her first job at an animal shelter.
If there’s anyone left in animal welfare who hasn’t yet read Nathan Winograd’s “Redemption”, run to your nearest bookstore and read it NOW. It’s an incredible, fascinating and accessible work that really lays out a clear path to No Kill. Winograd also has a great blog at:
http://nathanwinograd.blogspot.com
Well worth the read.
No apologies. In truth, Matt, I’ve been bad-mouthing PeTA for years on this issue. People assume PeTA will always be on the side of animal rights–and they are so wrong. Many refuse to believe the reality of the matter: the PeTA Shelter Euthanasia Policy, i.e. Kill Them All. Millions have no idea.
I hope the media takes this one and runs. Runs a marathon.
I searched a bit more under Newkirk’s name re: the allegations of animals found in dumpster & honestly I did not put the link since it’s disturbing [just put the two together [Newkirk and dumpster]] and search the journalists]. Just search and you will find two people were convicted and later dismissed. Apparently they were following the policy of PETA. Here is a fast link which cites some info which is easier to “see” without the degree of upset if anyone has a question.
http://www.nokillnow.com/PETAlameresponse.htm
Matt – couldn’t have said it better myself. As far as I’m concerned, no apologia or justification is ever needed for the No-Kill concept. And the surprisingly (to me, anyway) compassionate and enlightened quote from the Times, “If a dog can be rehabilitated, rehabilitate; if a life can be saved, save it.”, says it all.
Great work Matt. Any dog can be saved. Any dog can forgive and forget. Unlike us humans, all dogs will eventually give love and trust even after a horrendous life. There is no such thing as a bad dog..just bad owners.
Amen! I’m a firm believer that every animal (and person) should be given every chance to be rehabilitated. I don’t believe in lost causes. Time and love always win! It absolutely disgusts me that these poor animals are taken in only to be put to sleep when no one adopts them in 2 days. What I don’t understand is why people would rather kill the animals than trap, spay/neuter, and release if these agencies have such a lack of space. If you’d like to read more about it, give this book a read- Redemption: The Myth of Pet Overpopulation and the No Kill Revolution in America
Thanks for ACTUALLY being No-Kill!
I have already made comments above, but I did want to say that I do know that PETA has done some good things. I wasn’t saying that they are ALL BAD. I just think that if you really care and want to help animals, then you need to do just that. Use some common sense and stand up for what your organization stands for. And that IS NOT by killing! Use the money instead by providing education, for responsible pet ownership, helping in all ways to get animals adopted through various means such as adoption events and fund raisers, provide training for law enforcement and people who work out in the field, so innocent dogs do not get killed because someone didn’t have any training in animal behavior. There are just so many better ways to use money intended to help animals rather than using the money for euthanizing them. Peta may do some good, but they could do so much more even better!!!!!
There is the main point why do they [PETA] do so well financially; events [even shock bulletins] and effective fund raising. That is why they can take in the money they do and pay salaries.
Other organizations do well without a PETA/HSUS/ASPCA alliance through fund raising to increase operational revenue and finance salaries. Organizational structure and having people believing in your mission/vision is key. Reaching out to those who offer creates a good network for support and benchmarking.
It just gets depressing when you see so many people supporting PETA. 30 million dollars a year. Think of that. i was a PETA supporter for many years. I have travel mugs, t-shirts and keychains. I believed in what they were doing. I didn’t know this was their view on shelter animals, and I am not sure this was their stance years ago. I stopped supporting them many years ago, but they still get 30 million dollars of donations every year. How? Why? We spend $35,000 a month down here to save animals. We DON’T take that in. Every month it is a battle to try to figure out where the money will come from. How can we get the support of people in the community, and people on the internet that want to help? People need to step up and HELP those of us that are no-kill and trying to make a difference. Agreeing is one thing. Supporting is another. We need the support of the community. We need to show the difference between a REAL animal welfare organization and the organizations that don’t preserve the lives of the animals they “help”.
About ten years ago we adopted a Bearded Collie mix from Pets Alive. We enjoyed him for many years before he died. Next we picked up a Jack Russell mix stray that was about to be taken to a kill shelter. Six months ago we adopted a Cocker Spaniel mix from a kill shelter in Ohio who had two hours before he was to be killed. A volunteer brought him to us in Pa. He is about 14 years old. All our strays have gone,and will go,to The Rainbow Bridge knowing they are loved to the very end. Unfortunately, if it is up to PETA, so many dogs will be put to sleep never knowing this love. Keep up the good work Matt.
PETA works because they are International and National level organizations. Working from the bottoms up is much more difficult.
Getting news out about who and what you are through recruiting volunteers and engaging people to support your cause will get funding going. Unfortunately, you are at a slight disadvantage not having the size; however, everyone spreading what a no-kill shelter is about and how significant it is (or just dispelling myths of those who are not in animal organizations or into pets)Is so crucial.
Every contributor here on any forum of yours, have them pass your mission and goals on to minimum of 5 more people helps. Every financial supporter brings you 5 more donors. This is why it’s imperative that everyone who has an affiliation, on any level, spread the word..these are your biggest supporters & advocates.
Just as you are having the 4-H; ask other such as the scouts firemen, cops, etc. to come in & see you! Obviously you do not need the animals stressed or the kids upset but it gets around. Many fire departments have to do mandatory training exercises–ask them to help you!
Every person who blogs here should help is someway; bring you others who support you. Reach out to those most like you locally. Instead of a birthday gift to someone who really has all they want they can have make donations to you on their behalf. How much “stuff” do people need as you become an adult? If it’s a younger person let them buy a shirt through your store. If you have 10 people blog or help you for putting up kennels they can bring 5 people interested in your animals in different ways. Let people on this site either send out your needs lists to 5 people or your e-mailings to 5 people. They pass on to 5…soon it’s contagious and synergy is formed.
PETA is a non profit; they began the same on a low level support. All non-profits do.
The best is each and everyone here on this site gets PA name out, bring supporters, & donors which either believe in your organization or support through creating constituency’s each friend support others friends causes.
Your supporters have to sing your praise to those they are friends with and many may never know about you if they do not!
People can call themselves a shelter or a sanctuary but when you go out and do things to help an organization or financially support them; people need to know the mission of the organization of where there money goes. If I do not have solid answers about an organization (to satisfy me); I will hold on giving. Show me who you are & satisfy questions? You get my heart.
Now each one here, who are on this site as supporters need to find 5 people, if you, have find 5 more. Each knows what you are about and you cannot sit and answer every question right now–those on your site can fill in the info to their friends. All of it information is on your website!
This year rather then large Holiday gifts or B-day gifts we donated to an organization the person had an interest in! If I get another sweater—I will cry. If everyone here finds one thing in their attic and has not used it or just keeps it for no purpose? Sell it and send the proceeds to PA. We all keep those things we may use “someday” and have not–hold a personal garage sale & put proceeds to the organization & you get to clean your house out!
Who here has a talent? Send it to PA and let them see how they can use it! If you have an artistic ability? Get a animal picture together; auction it, sell it to benefit PA through your local gallery/showing. I am upstate but have forward your needs list to many friends who have interest yet do not over run another organizations. If a person here goes to a vet? Ask if they have a dog trainer who wishes to work through PA! It helps them (the individual) get their training business going, dogs trained at PA, and revenue just through spreading the word! Ask your vet if they can do a lost cost spay neuter for you on behalf of PA! Or donate if a beloved pet dies.
I found if you & supporters ask many will give fast either through a service or donation. Many have expertise with computers–ask someone make a template for you and everyone runs off, at home, on-line to their computer 20+ items at their cost (how cheap is paper?) You have talent! Donate postal stamps!
Run a business? donate a small space to item from this organization and have sales take people others over to see! Or put a can for donations to PA in your store–just use a coffee can and you can download some pictures to wrap the can! Then send the money in! Ask Barnes & Noble to hold an event for you; there are some here in academics. Ask the PR person at your local B&N to do this for you!
If any women here quilt, knit, or crochet make a small item (you can be anywhere in the US) and ask the store you buy from to hang the item and you raffle the item off; send the proceeds to PA. Men? Do you have a hobby? if so, do the same. Take your friends out for a golf game and chat about what your involvement is with PA, why they, and others which are no-kill should be involved. Hold a golf game and donate the proceeds to the organization. Kerry & Matt can put you in touch with those who know how! Hold a bake sale where you live!
It was a sad day for No Kill when leaders decided to get involved with the animal abuse lobby.
The anti-Peta and other humane group lobbies have been around for a long time, namely Rick Berman and Center for Consumer Freedom. http://www.consumerdeception.com
Berman also is a lobbyist for dog breeders, puppymillers, dog fighters and they spread around his dirt all the time.
For obvious reason. The breeders don’t like humane groups that expose things like puppy mills and dog fighting, who want breeders to get licensed, so they smear them in hopes that people who love animals will stop supporting humane issues.
When I saw Michael Mountain and Best Friends and Nathan Winograd posting links to Rick Berman sites (Bermans owns all the petakills sites and activistcas and all that) and using Rick Berman propaganda to just bash other humane groups, I was shocked.
Disagreeing with peta is one thing, but getting involved with the animal abuse lobby to throw stones is another.
Winograd was even getting press releases sent out by Rick Berman.
So many of the people who claim to support No Kill when they dump on other humane groups are often breeders who just love the opportunity to promote their interests and dump on humane groups. They don’t support No Kill, they just like the fact that some No Kill leaders will dump on groups they don’t like.
The ones who lose when this goes on are the animals
It is a very sad day when people who are supposed to be interested in humane issues just get sucked in by the breeder lobby and the animal abuse lobby.
I have never been a supporter of Peta, but when I see No Kill groups getting sucked in to attacking other humane groups like the animal abuse lobbies want, that does not speak well of No Kill.
I used to supports Pets Alive. I just don’t see that my support that is being used to bash other groups will do any good for the animals.
I was also very upset that rest FRiends just seems to have abandoned you guys. I am a member of Best Friends, and I feel that I was led to believe that they would support you.
Now I feel like Mountain and Winograd are just trying to get you to look the other way, and blame Peta and dump on Peta, instead of getting Best Friends to help you.
I know you will never publish any of this, but I am so discouraged with the direction that No Kill has taken.
kerry, Best Friends has more money than Peta! Why are they not sending Pets Alive money?
I feel like Best Friends is just getting you folks to scapegoat Peta instead of asking Best Friends for money and support?
(And as for John’s post above? His post is a paste and copy from breeders that put this kind of thing wherever they find people Peta bashing. I saw elsewhere this copy being forwarded by breeders asking other breeders to put it up on the web.)
Tanya, my words are my own. I wrote that. I’m no fan of (most) breeders, especially mass breeders. The enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend. 🙂
I also know exactly who CCF is and I understand their agenda as well, most of which I don’t care for. I don’t usually link to their site(s) for data because I do not consider them an unbiased source. I will agree, however, that neither PETA nor the CCF are any friend to animal lovers… but both groups, every once in a while, have a good point.
…and on a side note, thank you to the moderators for removing mandatory comment approval! One of the things that drives me CRAZY about some sites (PETA and HSUS, for instance) is that they will not approve any comment that does not fit their viewpoint – which in the end, I believe, does everyone a disservice. It’s key that sites like PetConnection, Best Friends, the dearly departed Itchmo, and here allow everyone a say – even those that disagree with the writer – as long as it’s respectful and doesn’t devolve into personal name calling. Thanks for keeping an open forum.
Hi John,
We do have mandatory comment approval, but that’s just to keep out spammers. Once your email is approved you’re free to post your heart away.
We will never censor anyone.
Tanya:
Understanding organizational models & structures; what works on a National level does not work always on a local level. Each organization, regardless of the sector, has their own goals; therefore, diverging interest enter [not stated with a negative connotation].
Some organizations nationally/internationally provide temporary support to many. However creating a full affiliation does not fit because resources are different. Too often many believe that funding state/national organizations provides significant resources to their community. The critical question which many people ask; why should I support my local organization when I do give Nationally?
Much has to do with a top down or bottoms up organization. When you wish to form your mission & vision although they may appear similar; the goals are variables.
Therefore, understanding what good National support does, it’s essential to support your community, especially if you want them to expand. National levels do well financially on smaller & dependable scattered donor bases; local organizations do well with those in their own “backyard”, they cultivate more momentum as they grow!
Too often people forget about keeping the economic climate well within their community; it does not matter if it’s a government, business, or non-profit organization.
I am not speaking for Kerry or Matt; just explaining the significance of local support and organizational models.
I personally believe that there are far too many dogs in the United States, and why should rescues be forced to turn a blind eye to dogs that have an incredibly low rate of seriously injuring someone while taking care of dogs that will never find a home? In a perfect world there would be unlimited funding to care for each and every animal as long as it chooses to live, but then again, in a perfect world no animal would need to be rescued.
But the concept of a war, are you waring against other animal care facilities who’s ideals may not be identical to yours or are you waring against the back yard breeders who are making the problem? Fighting other solutions instead of fighting the problem, brilliant. *sarcasm*
“Temperament is not the issue, nor is it even relevant. What is
relevant is actuarial risk. If almost any other dog has a bad moment, someone may get bitten, but will not be maimed for life or killed, and the actuarial risk is accordingly reasonable. If a pit bull terrier or a Rottweiler has a bad moment, often someone is maimed or killed–and that has now created off-the-chart actuarial risk, for which the dogs as well as their victims are paying the price.” http://www.dogbitelaw.com/Dog%20Attacks%201982%20to%202006%20Clifton.pdf