Book Review: Redemption
Redemption, The Myth of Pet Overpopulation and the No Kill Revolution in America, by Nathan Winograd, is a powerful, inspirational book that is a must read for any animal lover. The basic premise of the book is that the notion of Pet Overpopulation is indeed a myth. The reason that approximately 5 million companion animals are dying in animal shelters each year across our country is not due to pet overpopulation, but rather because shelter leadership is failing to implement the programs and services that are necessary to save these lives.
The book begins with a comprehensive review of the history of the humane movement in the United States, starting with the founding of the first Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), the American SPCA, or ASPCA, in New York City in 1866 by Henry Bergh.
Read more
Possibly Related Posts:
All PAWS on Deck
With an extravagant of buffet goodies by Phil Stefani, an array of cool cocktails and wines, upbeat dance music by Fig Media Inc., and incredible weather courtesy of Mother Nature, the sixth annual PAWS Chicago Beach Party, All Paws on Deck, was an amazing success.
More than 500 guests mingled and mixed against a backdrop of the lake at sundown and the dramatic Chicago skyline, raising close to $140,000 to support PAWS Chicago’s adoption, targeted spay/neuter and community outreach programs. Several dozen photogenic pets graced this year’s poster, thanks to their parents joining the Pet Host Committee. Once again, Salvatore Ferragamo was the presenting sponsor for the event, also hosting the Beach Party kick-off on June 7 in their Michigan Avenue boutique. Congratulations to event co-chairs Kimberly Gleeson and Nancy Dalaska and their committee, and thanks to the sponsors who made this year’s Beach Party possible, including North Community Bank, McGrath Lexus of Chicago, American Airlines, Chicago Magazine, and 101.9 THE MIX.
Possibly Related Posts:
- Register Today for our Santa PAWS Holiday Celebration!
- Join us for the 36 Hour Adopt-A-Thon!
- PAWS Chicago Marathon Team Goes the Distance
- Angels with Tails 2008 Recap
- Run for Their Lives Run Recap and Results
No Kill Model
PAWS Chicago is part of a revolution—a No Kill revolution that started in San Francisco in 1994 and is now sweeping across the nation.
This No Kill movement, still in its infancy, has challenged the methods of traditional animal sheltering, which for centuries has involved managing pet overpopulation by killing the surplus of homeless pets. Dedicated to the principle of valuing each individual animal while simultaneously focusing on big picture strategic solutions, the No Kill method is expanding its role in cities and counties across America.
Here is the story of animal sheltering and the rise of No Kill, with articles unraveling the differences between traditional and No Kill sheltering methods. PAWS Chicago is on the forefront of this movement. This in-depth coverage of No Kill features the experiences of other cities fighting pet overpopulation, as well as articles from two No Kill leaders who have successfully created No Kill communities. With this knowledge of lifesaving models, the public is now empowered to require the agencies they support to offer life, not death, to the defenseless cats, dogs, puppies, and kittens who are entrusted to their care.
The History of Sheltering
In the second half of the nineteenth century, humane societies began to take over the killing of stray and unwanted populations of cats and dogs. They wanted to eradicate the cruel methods of animal control at the time, which commonly resorted to clubbing, shooting, or drowning companion animals to death. But when private shelters accept the role of killing, who is to advocate for life?
For more than a century, traditional humane societies have been entrenched in the “cage and kill” philosophy, taking in all animals and killing the surplus. Because of the history of cruel methods of animal control, these traditional shelters have accepted death as a humane alternative for homeless cats and dogs. For more than 100 years, these traditional methods did little to eliminate pet overpopulation. For example, despite the existence of traditional shelters in Chicago for more than a century, the number of homeless pets killed in 1997 was a staggering 42,561. If traditional methods worked, pet overpopulation would not continue to plague our country’s homeless pets. In contrast, since PAWS Chicago took the No Kill message public with Angels with Tails in 1998, and with the help of all the wonderful Chicagoans who have rallied to help homeless pets, the killing has been reduced by more than half with 19,701 pets euthanized in 2006.
The Advent of No Kill
With the entire animal welfare system designed to kill the ever-increasing number of homeless dogs and cats, changing the direction of the tide was a huge undertaking. It would take vision, leadership, direction, and proof that lifesaving methods work to change the methodology of traditional sheltering.
As Executive Director of the San Francisco ASPCA, Richard Avanzino brought all of the necessary ingredients together in San Francisco, and by 1994 he had built the first No Kill city. No longer could humane societies claim the en masse killing of homeless dogs and cats was necessary.
Through innovative programs, proactive adoptions, and many years of focused, targeted spay/neuter, San Francisco created a progressive No Kill model that saves all animals; the only warranted euthanasia is for animals who are irremediably suffering, or those who are vicious and pose a threat to the public.
But despite San Francisco’s proven track record of saving—not killing—homeless animals, many shelters and communities have not yet embraced the No Kill model. Many shelters and communities continue to kill homeless cats and dogs, rather than work to change the ineffective status quo. But the No Kill tide has already begun to swell.
Possibly Related Posts:
- Rescue Work in Egypt
- Beijing Animals Endure the Ugly Side of the Olympics
- The Essentials of Socializing your Pup
- Kitten Class Ensures Well Trained Cats
- Back to Our Roots
WordPress Version 2.8.6