How we say things

One of my pet peeves….the way we use our words.  For instance, some shelters are coined "high kill" while others are referred to as "no kill".  Of course, the term “no kill” sounds sooooooo much better to us that it makes the other shelter sound like a horrible place.  What do those terms normally mean?  Normally they mean that one of the shelters (usually the “kill” one) cannot legally turn away any animals and therefore must end up euthanizing due to space constraints, while the other shelter has the luxury of turning away animals so they don't get overcrowded.  The way I see it, both groups are working towards the same goal....but one is given a verbal “black eye” because of what people call it.  It’s really not fair to those wonderful workers in any animal shelter.  (Incidentally….I prefer the term “limited admission” and “open admission” as terms for these types of shelters). Here's a great article, albeit a long one, about why we should use caution in how we use our words.

Comments

[Abby K9]

I read the article you've linked to, and personally, I think that the majority of it is a bunch of politically correct nonsense. It's putting a prettier word on something that may not be so pretty, to make people feel better about it.

It doesn't matter (least of all to the dog or cat) whether we call them pets or animal companions, or whether we call ourselves owners or guardians or even mommy or daddy. What matters is how WE humans treat the animals in our care.

And I think that we need to raise more awareness over the issue of shelters, "kill" and "no kill" alike.

It's a fact that there are 6 to 8 MILLION dogs and cats in shelters just in the United States every year, out of whom SIXTY percent will be "humanely euthanized", according to the US Humane Society.

And no matter which way you turn it, "Humanely Euthanized" is just a pretty term for killed or destroyed. In many cases, it's not "humane", either - there are loads of shelters that kill by heart-stick or gassing. But when you call it something nice like "humanely euthanized", people can feel all warm and fuzzy about it because they think the best care is taken of these animals even though they have to be "put to sleep".

Personally, I'd rather see a sign that says, "6 million pets are KILLED every year - spay and neuter so you won't contribute to the problem" than "Love your pets, please spay and neuter."

[Marti Miernik]

I don't know who to contact to take this woman down. She has been swindling people out of money for years, pocketing 1000s of dollars and praying on people and their love of dogs. I'm just a latest victim. Maybe you know what I should do next? I'd like to get my money back. I know, these are pennies in comparison to cases you are working, but this just hurts...

A few months ago I decided that I wanted a dog. I decided on an Afghan Hound. The breed is stunning, their temperament matches mine. I decided to get a rescue young adult. I contacted AHCA for a dog, but they did not have one available. But Debbie White, owner of Hatari Afghans (http://hatari-afghans.com), a rescue rep and Evangers rep from Texas had a young adult ready for adoption. Debbie sounded like she cared about her dogs, was knowledgeable and professional. I bit and entered into a contract with her. TRUSTING HER WAS MY GREATEST MISTAKE.
I started talking to her in mid May with the understanding that she will send me the puppy after my event in Tahoe, mid June. She got the money, I did not get the dog. She charged me $700 for his adoption, $400 for flight, $200 for a kennel, $100 for health certificates. That Ìs $1400. AGAIN, she got the money, I never got the dog. First he needed grooming, then he got into fire ants, then Debbie got busy, then, well, something else happened. Delay turned into another delay and finally ended in silence as Debbie stopped communicating with me completely. I reported her to AHCA. It took a call from AHCA director Barb Hastings for Debbie to actually email me back, letting me know that she will return my money. But guess what! Though she promised the refund, she never sent it.

I was made aware that she is helping with the pretty bad ìpuppy millî situation in New Mexico. But if this is the way she treats people, I wonder how she treats her dogs. For example, she mentioned that the dog I was supposed to have gotten was house trained. Then she let it slip that he only lives outside. Afghans need constant care and companionship. If she did not clean him take care of him, how much socialization has he gotten? And other dogs in her possession? For Afghans thatís imperative. On the website she lists a few more pups for adoption. These are just from her own breeding. And now with the other pups in he possession, if she has no time for her own dogs, how will she be able to handle others? I think that with her bubbly personality she taking people and the dogs in her possession for a ride!

I donít want other people to go through this sort of experience. Getting an animal is an emotional experience. I prepped for this dog. Debbie works for Evangers Dog Food. I purchased the food she suggested. I got a whole bunch of toys, I prepped the house for the animal only to get suckered in and screwed. Please pass this along to anyone who is thinking of purchasing an Afghan / getting one from a rescue. Hatari Afghans is a scam. Debbie White and her operation should be closed. She is not to be trusted and should be avoided at all costs.

Hope you can help...

Marti

[Kim]

Actually, there are "Open Admission" no-kill shelters. Instead of answering the problem of too many animals by killing the surplus, they're utilizing problem-solving approaches rather than the knee-jerk response that most shelters can't think beyond.

I agree with you that we should use caution with our words - and that's exactly why we should not call it "euthanizing" when they are killing healthy animals for space or because they're too hard to care for. That's not euthanasia. Call it what it is, and realize it is not the answer, it's not humane, and we should not be standing for what's going on in our shelters with our tax money in this country.