Month: November 1993

If it can make it there, it can make it anywhere

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From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 1993:

NEW YORK, N.Y.––Richard Avanzino of the
San Francisco SPCA is quick to point out that he hasn’t
announced his plan to end population control euthanasia
as a blueprint for anyone anywhere else. He explains
carefully that it is intended as an experiment, taking
advantage of the unique conditions in San Francisco, and
that other cities should in turn learn by the San Francisco
experience before attempting anything similar.
Nonetheless, there could be implications for
New York City. Acknowledging the example of the
SFSPCA, the American SPCA announced last April that
it would cease providing animal control service to New
York City in November 1994, exactly 100 years after it
took on the job. Like the SFSPCA, the ASPCA will then
focus upon arranging adoptions, neutering, humane edu-
cation, and improving landlord/pet keeper relations.

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Demographics of the shelter dog population

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From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 1993:

While good statistical data on the
U.S. animal shelter dog population is
scarce, what is available largely supports
Margaret Anne Cleek’s contention (left)
that large dogs are disproportionately rep-
resented, while small dogs remain in
strong demand. Before accepting Cleek’s
commentary, ANIMAL PEOPLE
checked her various contentions about the
nature of dogs entering and exiting shelters
with a variety of shelter managers from
across the U.S. who were attending the
American Humane Association annual con-
ference in Baltimore, October 10-13.
None had precise statistics for large dog
versus small dog intakes and adoptions,
but the experience of the North Shore
Animal League, which adopts out 43,000
animals a year, proved typical, even at
small rural shelters in remote regions.

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Guest column: We can learn from Detroit

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From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 1993:

by Margaret Anne Cleek
An open mind is damned near
impossible either to have or to find. The
response I’ve received to my September
ANIMAL PEOPLE guest column, “Don’t
call me a pimp” bears out the opening
premise of it: that we all have our own per-
ceptual set which colors our view of reality.
This leads to stereotyping and prejudice,
which in turn can produce polarization and
counterproductive strategy in pursuit of
mutually accepted goals.
To re-introduce myself, I am by
profession an industrial/organizational psy-
chologist. I am by avocation a dog enthusi-
ast––not just a purebred dog enthusiast.
While I have concerns about the adoption of
unsuitable dogs, the true mutt is just plain
fine in my book, and I would urge the
adoption of the right mutt over the wrong
purebred in a heartbeat.

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LETTERS [Nov. 1993]

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From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 1993:

Hunter education
When I speak to groups regarding hunting, I utilize a technique I
learned from Bernie Rollin. Using a chalkboard or something similar, I
ask participants to tell me why they like to hunt. Comments like, “I like to
be in the woods,” “I like spending time with my friends,” and “I like the
solitude of the forest early in the morning” are duly recorded. Of course
no one initially says, “Because I like to kill things.”
Once the list is complete, I point out that I, too, enjoy the
things mentioned, but my enjoyment is complete without the addition of a
weapon. We then proceed to the point where the issues of power and
killing are raised. I am always amazed at how someone in the group will
eventually say something like, “I guess the real reason I like to hunt is that
I like the rush I get when I pull the trigger.” And they sound faintly sur-
prised, as if the thought never occurred to them before. Then they ask,
“Is that wrong?” My answer is generally along the lines of, “I guess that’s
something you’ll have to decide for yourself.”

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Editorials: When more pets don’t help

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From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 1993:

It’s no secret that loneliness ranks among our biggest social problems. Those who
are lonely won’t need convincing, but the available statistics are still staggering. Twelve
Americans out of every 100 over age 15 live alone, including nearly a third of those who
are 65 or older, 41% of women age 65 and older, and more than half of women age 75 and
over. Certainly some people choose to live alone, but among both sexes at all ages over
25, the numbers who are alone closely correlate with the number who are widowed or
divorced. More than half of all women will be widowed or divorced by age 65.
The impact of loneliness on many people appears in further statistics. Single peo-
ple suffer more accidents, poverty, terminal disease, alcoholism, and drug dependen-
cy––and commit suicide more often. Men commit suicide three times as often as women;
the leading reason for male suicide is loss of a spouse.
Just as otherwise healthy but unloved infants may die from acute depression,
called by doctors “failure to thrive,” most of the rest of us need to be loved to feel well.
As almost all of us who have ever been alone can testify, we were born to be social ani-
mals; our social needs don’t end with our relationships.

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Ducks scarce; gunners go after resident geese

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From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 1993:

Migratory waterfowl populations
are down again, according to the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, continuing a 20-year
slump, during which mallards, the most
commonly hunted species, have declined
33%. This year’s fall duck count of 59 mil-
lion is the lowest on record, down 4.8%
from last year, when the count of 62 mil-
lion matched the then-record low first
reached in 1985. Goose and swan numbers
increased slightly in most areas, but the
Atlantic and southern James Bay flights of
Canada geese fell––the latter by 28%.
More than 100 million ducks flew
south each year in the 1970s, and 74 mil-
lion as recently as 1987, when the U.S.
and Canada set up the $1.5 billion, 12-year
North American Waterfowl Management
Plan to try to rebuild the population.

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Can San Francisco quit killing pet surplus? SPCA moves toward national precedent; ANIMAL CONTROL COMMUNITY ANXIOUS, SKEPTICAL

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From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 1993:

SAN FRANCISCO, California––Known for controversial innovation, San
Francisco SPCA president Richard Avanzino touched off perhaps the biggest furor of his
career in September by proposing that the city pound should stop euthanizing animals purely
for the purpose of population control––and offering to take care of adopting out the animals.
Not just an idealistic gesture but a detailed plan, Avanzino’s strategy for increasing
placement of adoptable animals is backed by a million-dollar special budget and an SFSPCA
shelter expansion already underway. If Avanzino achieves the goal, San Francisco will
become the first major city ever to achieve victory over pet overpopulation.
And the goal is within sight. Since Avanzino returned the municipal animal control
contract to the city in 1989, the SFSPCA has concentrated upon promoting adoptions, discount
neutering, humane education, and improving relations between landlords and tenants with
pets. The payoff has become evident in plummeting euthanasia rates not only at the SFSPCA
itself, which has virtually become a no-kill shelter, but also at the city Animal Care and
Control Department shelter.

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Blind trust: Dogs for people who can’t live without them

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From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 1993:

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK–– The
July 7 accident stunned New York City. Before dozens of
witnesses, a blind woman fell from the platform at
Pennsylvania Station, losing her grip on her guide dog’s
harness. As she scrambled back toward safety, and the
frantic dog barked a warning, the 9:18 southbound express
thundered into the station, and though the motorman threw
his full weight against the emergency brake, it knocked her
20 feet through the air.
Five minutes before 10:00 a.m., when she would
have reported for work, Vision Services for the Blind asso-
ciate executive director Pamela Schneider, 49, died of her
extensive injuries.

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Obituaries

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From ANIMAL PEOPLE, November 1993:
Greg Miller, 38, cofounder of the
Primarily Primates sanctuary in San
Antonio, Texas, died October 7 at his home
in Allegan, Michigan, of complications
resulting from a prolonged bout with AIDS.
Local newspapers took note of his courage.
“Greg’s greatest joy in life was working with
animals,” relatives agreed. He joined
Wallace Swett in starting Primarily Primates
in 1978, after gaining experience with mon-
keys during a stint at the San Antonio Zoo,
and remained involved with the sanctuary
until 1988.
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