Choose wisely, as homeless animals have no choice. Editor’s note: ANIMALS 24-7 guest columnist Ed Duvin began his long career in social justice movements in civil rights and anti-poverty work during the Lyndon Johnson presidential administration. He later advised animal advocacy organizations including the Humane Society of the U.S., the No-Kill Conference, and In […]
“No kill”: Still stumbling in the dark after all these years, by Ed Duvin
Metrics of misery: a flawed live release rate Editor’s note: ANIMALS 24-7 guest columnist Ed Duvin, often called “The Father of the No-Kill Movement” for his widely distributed 1989 essay In the Name of Mercy, wrote in that essay, “If our movement spent as much time soberly evaluating our policies and programs as we do […]
Fix the problem! by Ruth Steinberger, founder, SpayFIRST!
We do not need to have overcrowded shelters, growing numbers of homeless dogs and cats at large, and rescuers at the ends of their ropes. We know what to do about it. So why is the humane community not doing it? Companion animal overpopulation is the driving cause of overfilled shelters and overwhelmed rescue organizations. […]
Who keeps the spirit of prevention alive in animal welfare? by Esther Mechler
Spay/neuter worked; “We can save them all” through adoption has not worked Who keeps the spirit of prevention alive in animal welfare? In ancient times, people carried fire along with them – coals in a pot, a clay-lined basket, or a hollowed-out stone. Fire was precious, a matter of survival for the whole community, and […]
Soi Dog celebrates a million animals fixed in 18 years; lesson for U.S.
U.S. shelter killing is up, despite & actually because of emphasis on “no kill” instead of s/n. PHUKET, Thailand; ATLANTA, Georgia––“Today, I am overjoyed to share the news that the millionth stray animal has passed through Soi Dog Foundation’s spay/neuter program,” Soi Dog Foundation cofounder John Dalley exulted on September 8, 2023. “This is the first time […]
“Spay-It-Forward” says Dr. Jeff, Rocky Mountain Vet
Veterinarian Jeff Young updates an idea from Menander, Ben Franklin, & Ralph Waldo Emerson DENVER, Colorado––Jeff Young, DVM, star of the reality TV show Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet, reaching more than a million viewers per episode since 2015, wants to sell the veterinary and humane communities on the concept he calls Spay-It-Forward. Young, an animal control officer […]
“No-kill” debacle: will Pueblo bring “responsible sheltering” into vogue?
90% “live release” mandate failed catastrophically in less than 90 days PUEBLO, Colorado––“You can’t manage an animal shelter to a number,” Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region president Jan McHugh-Smith told Pueblo Chieftan reporter Anthony A. Mestas, hours after her organization returned to running the Pueblo Animal Services shelter on April 9, 2019, […]
“Fix Felines by Five Months” — Spay/USA founder Esther Mechler
“Spay delay has been as bad an influence (especially for cats) as lack of resources.” Thanks so much for putting out the great article on “The Queen,” by Marvin Mackie, DVM. It seems that a large number of people including too many vets are fuzzy about the topic – I know I was. As you […]
The Queen (her reproductive cycle may surprise you)
by W. Marvin Mackie, D.V.M. QuickSpay & Consulting San Pedro, California There is a thoughtful new movement designed to get to the next and final phase of ending domestic annual over-production of kittens. The over-production problem is becoming known in animal shelters as the kitten tsunami which occurs each late spring/early summer. The solution is […]
Pet Overpopulation and the 70% Rule
by W. Marvin Mackie, D.V.M. March 2003 In an October 2002 article about the national Animal Birth Control program in India, entitled “Get 70% or flunk”, ANIMALS 24-7 editor Merritt Clifton mentioned the Fibonacci 70% rule. His writing piqued my interest to the point that I asked him for further clarification, and then conducted some research of […]