How Much Is That Doggie in the Window Suffering?

HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW SUFFERING?

ay by day, exam room atten- “I hope that if we do our jobs well dant Brandy Turnbough ob- enough, a family will be able to Dserves which dogs sleep on sweep them into their homes and — their pillows. She learns which put them on a couch where they A Lot stuffed animals they prefer and will be loved and adored the rest which toys are chewed to shreds. In of their lives,” she says. “It is stress- spite of the huge numbers of res- ful because at some point you won- but You cued dogs and puppies who der about putting all this work and descend into an already full shelter, energy into something that the gen- Turnbough tries to learn all the eral public will probably never names, favorite toys, treatment understand. … We don’t do it for Can Help. schedules, unique behaviors, and money or glory—especially since quirks. She can tell all the puppies we’re covered in grime and every BY KATHERINE MCGOWAN apart and, without looking, knows bodily fluid imaginable!” which dog is barking when she Working day in and day out walks past a bank of cages. with these dogs, Turnbough usu- During their first days at the ally identifies which ones are Humane Society of Missouri, some going to pull through. Her pas- dogs rescued from puppy mills are sion for animal welfare drives her so frightened they won’t eat. diligence and long hours, but she Turnbough often spends her own does suffer the emotional toll. money and cooks chicken livers, She has patiently watched the pork tenderloin, hamburger, scram- metamorphosis, as emaciated, bled eggs with cheddar cheese, and bald, hollow-eyed creatures gain any other food that might entice her body weight, fur and new light terrified charges. She offers them in their eyes. But for some of the globs of peanut butter, hoping to most traumatized dogs, that light build trust and pull these trauma- never returns. tized dogs through their haze of fear and malnourishment. She takes pride in seeing their bodies respond to treatment.

32 ANIMAL SHELTERING SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI Most puppy mill dogs probably mals and selling them to distrib- responsible breeders will allow don’t recall their first few weeks of utors, who then transport them to breeding females a period of rest life. They’re usually sold to a bro- pet stores throughout the United between litters, puppy millers ker and transported across the States. And following the Internet’s often compel the dogs to be preg- country in early puppyhood, arriv- debut as a powerful selling tool— nant at every cycle. A responsible ing at pet stores to be sold for any- allowing mass breeders to market breeder seeking to maintain high where from $300 to $2,000 to fam- their “products” on professionally standards will not breed dogs who ilies who don’t know what kind of produced websites peppered with have physical imperfections such animal they’re buying—or what deceiving photos of healthy, breed- as overbites, hip dysplasia, or kind of industry their purchase standard puppies—more and blindness. Puppy millers suffer supports. But when those same more puppy mill operators are from no such compunctions: If puppies manifest serious behavior selling directly to consumers. they can sell the puppies, they issues or expensive health prob- Classified advertisements in news- will breed the dog—even if she’s lems as they grow up, consumers papers and magazines also encour- bald from mange and infested are confronted with the conse- age direct sales to unsuspecting with parasites. quences of their naiveté. pet lovers; these arrangements The long-term effect of mass com- For local animal shelters, those allow the mill operator to bypass mercial breeding on the standard consequences are only com- the retailer and net higher profits. of certain breeds is bad enough. pounded. Whether they’re located In some cases, consumers pur- Worse, though, is the suffering and in puppy mill areas or not, whether chase a puppy online or over the neglect inflicted on individual ani- they’ve been involved with rescues phone and meet the breeder in a mals who live within the environs and seizures of puppy mill dogs or parking lot to pick up the pup. of the puppy mill itself. Puppy mills not, shelters throughout the coun- They never get a glimpse of the may house as few as 50 and as many try every day see the results of the puppy’s birthplace, let alone meet as 1,000 animals, often in cramped, puppy mill industry’s poor breed- her mom and dad—an arrange- filthy conditions with poor nutri- ing and neglect. ment that allows puppy millers to tion and minimal veterinary care. A “puppy mill” is a commercial keep their secrets. The worst of the puppy mills crowd breeding operation that produces And what are those secrets? The hundreds of animals into wire puppies en masse for profit. list is nightmarishly long. cages. Dogs stand and walk on Unlike small-scale, responsible To begin with, puppy mills typ- wire-mesh flooring; these dogs not breeders, puppy millers focus on ically ignore best breeding prac- only develop splayed feet but never generating high volumes of ani- tices—for example, where learn how to walk on grass or a reg-

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 WWW.ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG 33 ular floor. Dogs are also often other small breeds are easier for preys on the emotions of people forced to drink green water and eat mass-breeding facilities to house; who love dogs,” says Shain. “We moldy food mixed with their own they can crowd several dogs in one will win by educating the public excrement. When injured, they’re cage and stack cages on top of one about the reality of pet store and seldom given adequate veterinary another. Consumers want small Internet puppies. We have a new care; instead, they will self-med- dogs—and puppy mills deliver, generation of puppy buyers who icate by chewing at their wounds. with little regard for the quality of have never heard of a puppy mill— Some have even been known to life of their breeding stock. and if they saw the conditions of a chew off a limb. But that quality of life matters to puppy mill, they would be horri- This shouldn’t be allowed to hap- you. As an animal shelter, you are fied and wouldn’t want their money pen—and if the inspection system literally combating the negative supporting it.” overseen by the United States effects of puppy mills in your own Animal shelters should never Department of Agriculture actual- backyard. Though states like underestimate their power to effect ly worked well, it wouldn’t. But the Missouri and Pennsylvania have change in their communities, says Shain. She suggests that shelters need to be aware of who is selling dogs in “The people who unwittingly support this industry their area and how they are selling them. “I think shelters should be ask- are dog lovers. The puppy mill industry preys on ing people who turn in their animals to a shelter where the puppy came the emotions of people who love dogs.” from,” Shain says. “That is an important piece of information for a shelter to know. If shelters look at their USDA’s inspection of puppy mills long been known hosts of puppy numbers and see they are getting a is spotty at best. Many mass-breed- mills, animal advocates can no lot of dogs from a particular pet store, ing facilities clean up their act just longer consider puppy mills a they can take action on that.” enough to scrape by inspections localized problem. Shelters operating in puppy mill and then rapidly spiral back down Historically, puppy mills have been territory can attest to the truth of into neglectful squalor. And lack located in farming states because Shain’s conviction: Citizens who of resources compromises the puppies were viewed as an agricul- find out about the conditions of the USDA’s ability to adequately tural commodity; in the wake of the animals in mass-breeding facilities inspect all facilities: The agency’s second World War, the USDA actu- often turn to their local shelter for 100 animal care inspectors are ally encouraged farmers to com- help. But in many cases, a shelter charged with visiting more than pensate for declining crop prices by may not have the authority to act— 3,500 licensed breeding operations, raising puppies. But mass breeding and even where they do, a puppy not to mention zoos, circuses, and facilities are beginning to crop up mill bust can be a massive burden research facilities. in places where they haven’t been on an organization already taxed Mostly through ignorance, the before, and the cross-country com- by day-to-day operations. The costs public encourages the continued plaints show that while these ani- of a large-scale seizure can be enor- existence of puppy mills by pur- mals may come from a “puppy mill mous, and the operation is likely chasing animals from pet stores. state,” they don’t always stay there. to exhaust staff and fill all the exist- And the public’s desire for certain While the problem is increasing- ing space in a typical facility. If your kinds of dogs helps drive the ly widespread, it’s also a problem animal shelter received a complaint puppy market. After all, how many shelters can help solve. regarding a large-scale breeding of your potential adopters ask As the head of the campaign operation, would your staff be pre- about the availability of 45-pound against puppy mills for The Humane pared to investigate and rescue sev- chow-shepherd mixes? Society of the United States, eral hundred animals at once? Most people in search of a new Stephanie Shain is optimistic that A handful of animal shelters dog want small ones, a demand the forces fueling the puppy mill across the country have already that puppy millers are only too businesses can be turned inside out. done so—and, in the following happy to meet. Shih tzus, cocker “The people who unwittingly profiles, they offer advice to col- spaniels, Yorkshire terriers, support this industry are dog leagues embarking on their first Malteses, pugs, Pomeranians, and lovers. The puppy mill industry journey into puppy mill mayhem.

34 ANIMAL SHELTERING SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 MISSOURI: Head of the Class issouri is the most notorious ducted an audit of the Missouri Mof all the puppy-producing Department of Agriculture regula- states, leading the nation in puppy tory program that oversees com- exports with more than 1,400 mercial breeders. She identified licensed commercial breeders. And several areas of concern: spotty if that number sounds high, it state inspections that resulted in pales in comparison to the esti- few sanctions and that were less mated 2,500 unlicensed breeders thorough than federal inspections; in the state. But the distinctions an appearance of conflict of inter- are little more than theoretical. est in top management because Though logic dictates that unli- program heads also owned and censed operations would be worse, operated breeding operations; and Missouri has such a bad track lax program performance meas- record of ignoring violations in ures. Media reports on the audit commercial breeding facilities that revealed that puppy production a facility’s possession of a license was a $2 billion-a-year industry in is almost meaningless. Missouri. HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI In February 2001, Missouri State Three years later, McCaskill con- Puppies from a Missouri bust get a ride to safety inside a Auditor Claire McCaskill conducted a follow-up audit. She staffer’s t-shirt.

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 WWW.ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG 35 of trees, set far back from the public road on properties canvassed with “No Trespassing” signs. If educational attempts fail to bring the breeder into compliance with the Animal Care Facilities Act—a Missouri state law that sets standards for a variety of animal- related businesses, including shelters—the investigator seeks assistance from local law enforcement in procuring a search warrant. “There have been cases in the past where the sheriff’s department has done a fly-over with a helicopter or small plane,” says Hill. Once the warrant is served and the property entered, the investi-

HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI gator must embark on what Hill refers to as a “CSI-type approach,” Veterinarian found that little had been done in the state big enough to handle likening the experience to the pop- Donald Bridges by the Missouri Department of large-scale rescue operations. But ular television crime drama. “I listens to a Agriculture to correct the problems the positive results of such rescues sometimes half-joke and half-seri- rescued puppy’s outlined in her original report. are well worth the demands placed ously say this is CSI St. Louis,” she heartbeat during Of her nine recommendations on staff, volunteers, and budgets, says. “You’re not just the investi- triage after a bust. for improvement, only one had says vice president of operations gator; you’re the evidence techni- been fully implemented. Debbie Hill, who oversees rescues cian on these scenes, documenting What had changed during those and investigations. the scene as it is found, videotap- years was the intensity of the back- ing the property and conditions. lash from the Missouri Pet Breeders Investigating the Property Your report and the live animals Association. During the 2002 state Puppy mill investigations at the themselves are the evidence.” legislative session, breeders pushed Humane Society of Missouri usu- Investigators gather water and food for a law that would have made it ally begin after someone observes samples, collect any medicines a felony violation to take photo- the conditions on a puppy mill found, and remove deceased animals graphs inside a commercial breed- property and files an anonymous so a necropsy can reveal the cause of ing facility without the owner’s con- complaint with the rescue and death. While on the property, inves- sent. Photographs are the evidence investigations division. Since most tigators also document signs of neg- most commonly used by cruelty puppy mills are located in rural lect such as lack of food or water, investigators seeking warrants. To areas, the complaint is usually unsafe caging systems, unsanitary date, the photo ban bill hasn’t assigned to one of the organization’s conditions, untreated medical issues, passed—largely due to exhaustive statewide cruelty investigators. and other violations of the Animal lobbying efforts by the Missouri The organization first takes an Care Facilities Act. Alliance for Animal Legislation. But educational approach; an investi- “Sometimes in these large-scale fears of the bill’s potential success gator tries to talk to the operator operations, you learn that the still lurk with each new session. of the business with the hope that owner might be administering With little intervention from state some suggestions—and the opera- some home remedy or collecting inspectors, Missouri puppy mill tor’s desire to avoid future legal medicine from other sources and operators have prospered. For trouble—will encourage improve- actually doing more harm than many of the dogs housed in these ments. Unfortunately, contacting good. They might also have things facilities, help comes only from the the owner to discuss the original in their custody that they should- Humane Society of Missouri in St. complaint can prove difficult, since n’t,” Hill says. “You always, always, Louis—mostly because there is no puppy mill operators disguise their always look in the refrigerator or other animal welfare organization breeding operations behind banks freezer. You might find a dead ani-

36 ANIMAL SHELTERING SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 mal in there or something else can help staff stay focused on the Rescue and Triage important to the case.” realities of each situation and help For the rescue operation itself, the Hill advises other organizations them document each case appro- shelter enlists the aid of a third- to keep a timeline in mind during priately and dispassionately. “We party veterinarian to examine the their investigations. “You aren’t don’t investigate puppy mills animals on the property and deter- going to just seize these animals; because they are ‘puppy mills’— mine if removing them immedi- this is a process,” she says. “You we are looking at the care of the ately is necessary—and legal. (In need to have some legal counsel animals,” Rickey says. “Our ideol- many jurisdictions, premature lined up and perhaps your board ogy is left out of it; we focus on seizure of animals kept in condi- of directors to walk you through state law. During the court phase, tions that don’t clearly violate any the legal process.” our investigator has to be able to laws can ruin a case.) When large Keeping a close working rela- go into a court of law and com- numbers of animals do have to be tionship with law enforcement offi- municate in a manner the judge seized, the “all-hands-on-deck” cers is also important, says Hill. can understand. Your reports have approach is set in motion. “You might be guiding law enforce- to be thorough; you have to follow “It could be 5 or 6 or up to 25 to ment through this process,” she up with the shelter staff and vet- 27 employees on-site for a larger says. “If that initial warrant isn’t erinarians.” rescue,” Hill says. “The lead inves- written correctly, you might not get Shelters should consider the fol- tigator oversees documenting the final custody of these animals. The lowing questions before moving animals. The animals are taken back worst thing is that you’ll have to forward with any animal rescue to the shelter, where 25 more peo- With nearly 20 veterinarians on staff, the Humane Society of Missouri’s animal hospital is ready to kick into high gear following a puppy mill bust.

Brandy Turnbough, an exam room attendant at the Humane Society of Missouri, takes a blood sample from a rescued puppy mill dog. return these animals to the breeder.” efforts, says Hill: Where are the ani- ple will triage those animals. Vets, Training staff to assist with puppy mals going to go? Do you have the vet techs, and other animal spe- mill cases is a must, says Tim Rickey, ability to maintain these animals? cialists will examine and begin treat- assistant director of rescues and “You aren’t doing anyone a favor if ing those animals upon arrival.” investigations at the Humane Society you don’t have the facilities or per- It’s a labor-intensive process that of Missouri. “Bring in people who sonnel available to provide care. involves shaving animals, cleaning have law enforcement experience These animals are going to come eyes and ears, administering pain combined with people with animal in with serious medical needs and medicine, and giving animals baths, experience,” he says. “These are behavior issues,” she says. says Hill. Even though all animals criminal investigations that need to If your organization isn’t well- are photographed and catalogued at be conducted legally and ethically. positioned in the community, and the site of the rescue, staff back at the Take advantage of the national cru- if you don’t have the support of shelter photograph them once again elty investigation schools as well as trained staff and volunteers, you during triage. The animals are given local colleges and universities.” won’t be prepared for the stresses of names, assigned numbers, examined Training in cruelty investigations a large-scale rescue. by a veterinarian who documents

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 WWW.ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG 37 physical ailments and body condi- required treatments. These dogs knowing the coming weeks will tions, and finally handed over to ani- are usually plagued by internal overwhelm her. Yet she is still mal care staff who will make them parasites, dental disease, fleas and pleased to see new friends she can comfortable in clean, safe cages with ticks, dehydration, and eye, ear, make happy, safe, and comfortable fresh food and water during their first and skin problems. Many will have as they begin recovering. night at the animal shelter. Since the festering wounds or improperly Turnbough works closely with animals are evidence in a criminal healed injuries that will require Linda Campbell, a licensed veteri- case, they are held separately from surgery at a later date. Some of nary technician who has spent the rest of the shelter population in these bald, mangy creatures may more than 25 years at the Humane a special holding space. be simultaneously pregnant and Society of Missouri. Campbell has Veterinarians play a critical role emaciated. extensive animal behavior training at this stage; medical documenta- Genetic health issues include and serves as the shelter’s director overbites and underbites, hip dys- of programs. Always involved with plasia, congenital cataracts, the behavior assessment of rescued deformed eyelids, and heart mur- puppy mill dogs, she develops murs—all of which should have exercises and protocols to teach the precluded animals from being used dogs to trust people. as “breeding stock” in the first It is not an easy undertaking. “A place, says Bridges. “A good breed- dog that misses out on crucial er would no longer breed such ani- socialization and environmental mals,” he says. “They would have enrichment for the first four them spayed or neutered and find months of their life is challenged them a new home.” for the rest of their life,” Campbell For shelters without veterinary says. “Most of these dogs from staff to assist in triage and treatment puppy mills are denied that oppor- of the animals, Bridges suggests tunity and grow up in a void. Once

HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI retaining a veterinarian with a mixed they reach an adult age, they can- practice of large and small animals. not make up for what they lost.” Debbie Hill, vice tion at the time of triage is one of An understanding of herd health Campbell describes rescued president of the most powerful forms of evi- issues will be helpful during the puppy mill dogs as unsure of operations for the dence for these cases. rehabilitation process. “But most humans. “They have no positive Humane Society With nearly 20 veterinarians on importantly, familiarize yourself experience with people, they may of Missouri, staff, the Humane Society of with the conditions that are seen in dislike being petted or any type of examines a puppy Missouri’s animal hospital is ready these cases and take the time to train physical handling, and they tend on-site during a to kick into high gear following a the staff because they can be taught to hide from people,” she says, not- puppy mill raid. puppy mill bust. “In triage, we are to recognize normal and abnormal ing that many puppy mill dogs taking care of emergency issues,” health issues,” Bridges says. don’t even know how to play with says director of veterinary servic- other dogs. “They usually have two es Donald Bridges, DVM. “We vac- Rehabilitation and Adoption reactions: they either bolt or they cinate them regardless of their sta- Once the animals have settled in at freeze and don’t move when being tus, clip their nails, weigh them, the shelter, the real work begins— handled. They don’t have the reac- treat them with a flea product that a long-term process of rehabilitat- tion of most dogs—they don’t wig- also kills mange even though we ing dogs who have spent their gle. If you have to handle them on don’t yet know if they have it. On entire lives crammed into cages a table, they just stand there and the next day, we do individualized with little human interaction. don’t move.” treatment plans for each dog.” Animal care staff and behaviorists The initial focus of rehabilitation Typically, the animals seized in are vital to this part of the journey. is getting the dogs into a routine puppy mill busts require a med- Exam room attendant Brandy that helps them accept their care- ical treatment plan. Their rehabil- Turnbough has helped with busts takers. “First off, we don’t handle itation can take several weeks or several times in her seven years at them unnecessarily. We give them months and can cost thousands of the Humane Society of Missouri. time to settle in, relax, and get dollars per animal, depending on The morning following triage, accustomed to their new environ- the severity of the issues and Turnbough arrives at the shelter ment. We hold them in an area

38 ANIMAL SHELTERING SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 where there isn’t a lot of noise or with litters extensively, teaching then the shelter can begin screen- stimuli so they can settle down,” them to play and accept handling ing animals for adoption. Campbell says. “We perform a basic and grooming. Although adoption is the hope evaluation on the dog to look for While the shelter focuses on reha- for each of the rescued dogs, signs of aggression, but most bilitation, lawyers and investiga- Campbell offers a reality check: puppy mill dogs don’t have aggres- tors work to gain protections for you aren’t going to be able to reha- sive problems because they tend to the animals in court. The prose- bilitate every one. “It is very chal- be in the freeze mode. The major- cuting attorney in the case usual- lenging working with these dogs,” ity are very passive.” ly files criminal animal neglect she says. “If you set up guidelines Depending on dogs’ ages and the charges. Prior to criminal pro- and are consistent, you will have length of time they spent in the ceedings, the cruelty investigator some success. These animals came puppy mill, some respond quickly. and sometimes the case veterinar- from a bad situation and we owe Others never truly bond with peo- ian appear at a disposition hearing, it to them to do what is best for ple, never conquer their fears, and a civil court process—usually held them—even if that means euthana- are never fully housetrained. within two weeks of the rescue—in sia—because they should not have “When we deal with a fearful adult which a judge determines whether to suffer anymore.” dog, we ask someone to walk by the shelter will gain legal custody of Turnbough waits to see a sparkle their cage and drop in especially the animals. The breeders have the return to the dogs’ faces, but tasty treats. You never make direct opportunity to post a bond for the sometimes it’s permanently gone. eye contact, as that will increase animals but often fail to appear or “Beyond the medical reasons of fear in the dog,” Campbell says. send legal representation. Legal their bodies not responding, when Usually puppies are much quick- custody thereby defaults to the their emotions don’t respond and er to respond, so the staff works Humane Society of Missouri, and the light doesn’t come back in

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 WWW.ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG 39 their eyes—it’s time to draw a who administers the medical pro- selves. Things like the telephone line,” she says. “It’s not fair to cedure on the dogs work on behav- ringing, the doorbell ringing, or make them sit and wonder what ior modification because the dog even the television can be difficult.” is going on around them when might not have a positive associa- The week after Bob and Alexa you realize they will never move tion with that person. So we have Hull adopted a puppy mill dog beyond that point.” a consistent person providing med- named Bibi from the Humane Once Turnbough identifies that ical treatments and a consistent per- Society of Missouri, they worried line, she spoils the dogs as best she son providing socialization. … For they had made a mistake. Bibi, a can, filling their cages with stuffed dogs, as well as for people, there is bichon frise, was riddled with sep- animals, cushy comforters, and nothing as fearful as the unknown.” aration anxiety. She’d never even “We have a canine play school with a list of protocols for each volunteer to work on. If the animal is adopted, we let the adopter know what we’ve been doing so they can continue.” THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF UNITED STATES

Dirty water bowls toys filled with chicken livers, Anyone planning to adopt a for- been in a house before. are standard fare peanut butter, and scrambled mer puppy mill animal must be “She followed us all day, and if in mass-breeding eggs—no longer as incentives to prepared for serious challenges. she lost sight of us, she would facilities. Dogs start eating but as some glimmer Even once they’ve gone through panic,” says Alexa Hull, who has in puppy mills of happiness in their day. “If they treatment and into the home of a volunteered at the shelter for 12 frequently end have to sit in the cage mentally mis- loving family, those early experi- years. “When we would leave for up eating and erable, at least they can be physi- ences can be difficult to overcome. dinner, she would run around the sleeping in cally happy,” she says. Campbell has seen several puppy house urinating and defecating. It their own feces. For those dogs who respond to mill dogs adopted to owners will- took at least six months before she medical treatment and socializa- ing to accept the difficulties of car- realized that when we leave, we tion, Campbell recruits volunteers ing for an animal who may be rid- [are] coming back. We had to stop to assist with the behavior modifi- dled with anxieties and physical feeding birds in the backyard cation process. “We have a canine ailments. “The average person because she has been conditioned play school with a list of protocols thinks all they need to do is cud- to eat anything that is put in front for each volunteer to work on. If dle them, hug them, and show of her—birdseed or dirt.” the animal is adopted, we let the them a lot of love. But they can Adopters and fosterers of puppy adopter know what we’ve been actually make the behavior worse mill dogs need to be aware of the doing so they can continue,” she because [cuddling can be] extreme- behavior issues, says Hull: “It takes says. “It’s tailored for each dog—we ly stressful and fearful for these huge amounts of time, patience, don’t want to push the dogs too far dogs,” Campbell says. “They do and paper towels.” because we want a positive experi- well in a home where they are The Humane Society of Missouri’s ence. We try not to have anyone allowed a quiet place for them- adoption selection process favors

40 ANIMAL SHELTERING SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 animal,” Campbell says. people are abletoprovide forthe for thedog’s needandwhatthe evening. “We tomakeamatch try interact withthedogin the where peopleworkalldayand panionship anddowellinahome dogs won’t needtheconstantcom- shy is homemostofthetime;very to placethedogwithsomeonewho with highenergy, theshelterprefers some oftheolderpuppymilldogs the dogeither,” Campbellsays.For want ittobeabadexperiencefor dren tobeinjured, andwedon’t tle ornoexperiencewithkids. puppy milldogsprobably havelit- holds withsmallchildren, sincethe are notusuallygrantedtohouse- for thepuppymilldog.Adoptions asaroledog whocanserve model cially anoutgoing,well-socialized has anotherpetinthehome,espe- ence withthesamebreed oralready helpful iftheapplicanthasexperi- pet owner,” Campbellsays.It’s want toplacethemwithafirst-time patience andsocialization,wedon’t needs animalrequiring alotof before. “Whenyouhaveaspecial- people who’vebeenpetowners “We don’t wantpeopleorchil-

HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI and mange. inflammations from severe skin puppy millssuffer rescued from Many ofthedogs

SEPTEMBER |OCTOBER 2006 FLORIDA: The “Lemon Law” State

THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES an investigation,Danieladvises.“It tend tolookatusastree huggers.” ing withthelegalsystemandthey fessionally. Remember, you’re deal- to usifweconductourselvespro- our field,lawenforcement cancome Daniel says.“Ifweare theleadersin statementsassupport,” erinary dence isloggedaccuratelywithvet- pieceofevi- tant thateachandevery impor- blow theentire case.Itisvery we mishandleourevidence,itcan side ofrescue work,butit’s vital.“If evidence. It’s notthetouchy-feely focuses onmaintainingthechainof investigation. andcruelty of outreach services Ilka Daniel,theshelter’s director no different thanabreadbox,” says Florida are considered chattel— tural commodity. “Animalsin categorizes puppiesasanagricul- springer spanielsanddachshunds. puppy millrescue ofmore than150 ed withawholenewstorm: Indian RiverCountywere assault- Humane SocietyofVero Beach& Mississippi, staff membersatthe O Take yourtimewhenconducting During puppymillbusts,Daniel Like Missouri,thestateofFlorida the Katrinarelief effort in nly weeksafterassistingwith WWW.ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG 41 is imperative to sit and gather facts rescue cost the shelter about unteers provide a lot of TLC,” to make sure you have a thorough, $60,000, including staff overtime. DeMars says. “With the traumatic solid case,” she says. The Humane “We budget every year looking cases, we try to stay away from Society of Vero Beach retains inde- back five years to see how much doing that. We focus more on pendent veterinarians and usually we spend,” Carlson says. “Our teaching them confidence instead takes two with them onto a puppy board of directors and senior staff of cuddling.” mill property. The veterinarians believe we cannot be driven by the DeMars admits it is extremely dif- serve as witnesses and help docu- budget when it comes to cruelty. ficult for the staff to take in so many ment medical evidence. We accept the responsibility of the animals in need. “If you take in 150 Even though the organization is expenses. The community sees that puppy mill animals, it is probably endowed with good emergency we’re helping, which improves our the equivalent of 200 to 250 animals from the street,” he says. “They all have special diets, require special baths, medical needs. Just maintaining the workload and cleaning up after them while trying to balance out the normal operation of the shelter is stressful. The last thing we want, and we do not allow it, is to put down animals that THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES are coming in normally because we resources—including a newly con- credibility—public relations and are stretched.” structed facility that can serve as our donations have gone up!” Through the staff behaviorist, free both a hurricane shelter and a hold- Working a large bust means long counseling is provided to anyone ing space for large seizures—Daniel hours for staff and a change in stan- adopting a puppy mill dog. “We still seeks assistance with rescue dard operating procedures. Carlson provide free obedience training and operations from other agencies and brings in food for her staff and consultation,” DeMars says. “We national organizations like The watches to make sure no one is don’t have veterinarians on staff, Humane Society of the United stretched too thin; she wants the but depending on the adopter and States. “HSUS has always been entire staff to feel they’re part of the their financial status, we help as available to back us up,” she says. investigation. “It’s important to much as we can with any medical “They make us feel like one big fam- remind them why we do this,” she expenses.” ily, and there are other shelters that says. “They all realize this is a part Though the encroachment on will step up to the plate to help.” of crisis management. We show the resources can seem staggering, In assessing the extent and nature video of the investigation so staff sees DeMars implores other animal of the challenges they face in their why the animals were removed.” shelters to tackle this issue in community, the staff of the Humane Volunteers help enormously their communities. “Do not be Society of Vero Beach attempt to when the organization takes on res- afraid to take on a puppy mill track the origins of relinquished cues, explains Van DeMars, asso- and bring in 100 or 200 animals dogs whenever possible. Of those ciate director for the Humane in your shelter,” he says. “Do not they’ve been able to track, 40 per- Society of Vero Beach. “We have a let it continue to fester. I can see cent originate from a backyard special group of volunteers who how some shelters would not breeder, pet store, or puppy mill, instill discipline in the dogs, help have that expertise and might be says executive director Joan Carlson. them gain confidence,” he says. frightened by taking on a large “Those selling the dogs are get- “We have an obstacle course in puppy mill.” ting craftier, and there is little con- back, and they do things they’ve But “taking them out of a horri- sumer protection,” she says. “We never done before, like play in ble life and watching them walk have a lemon law in Florida, and grass, because they’ve spent most of out the door as pets versus objects” yet very few people who purchase their lives on concrete or in cages.” is one of the most rewarding activ- a sick animal will actually go to Volunteers undergo special train- ities a shelter can undertake, says small claims court instead of ing with the on-staff behaviorist DeMars. “It’s a tremendous burden exchanging for a new puppy.” before working with puppy mill on the shelter emotionally, but the Carlson estimates the springer seizures. “We don’t have the vol- payoff is very, very rewarding.”

42 ANIMAL SHELTERING SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 PENNYSLVANIA: The Beast of the East

ennsylvania carries the nick- website to sell puppies to con- “The rusty cages were filthy, with Pname “Puppy Mill Capital of the sumers all over the country. dogs balancing on wire caging,” East.” Although rural Lancaster What the Chester County SPCA she says. “There were buckets of County is home to the greatest con- found on the property was hardly water on the floor with a gray film centration of puppy mills, an a hobby. Investigators discovered and gelatinous blobs floating in organization in the suburbs of building after building with cages the water. The stench was over- Philadelphia conducted a huge res- stacked one on top of another, powering.” cue last February—from a man floors covered in feces, rats scur- The on-site rescue lasted from who, at one time, had a good rep- rying through the buildings and 1:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. More than 300 utation as a hobby breeder spe- up walls. Some dogs were sim- animals were removed. Whereas cializing in papillons and King ply roaming the property. Susan the Humane Society of Missouri Charles cavalier spaniels. Unlike Spackman, executive director of has a custom-built rescue trailer the many commercial breeders in the West Chester-based organiza- that can transport 100 small dogs Missouri, he was not selling to bro- tion, recalls finding an English bull- in cages back to the shelter, Chester kers or pet stores; he was using his dog actually eating rat poison. County SPCA staff had to use any

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 WWW.ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG 43 A few words from the author …

My dog probably doesn’t remember being rescued from a puppy mill. I doubt he recalls being soaked in urine, balancing on a feces-caked grate, or having to fight other dogs for food. I hope his memory has blocked the stench of neglect that emanated throughout the facility where he was born. He was only six weeks old when the Humane Society of Missouri rescued him and near-

ly 100 other dogs and puppies CHESTER COUNTY SPCA from a substandard breeding Rescuers from the Chester County SPCA found more than 300 animals on-site when facility in Fenton, Missouri, in they busted this puppy mill early this year. SYLVIA EVANS SYLVIA 2002. He has probably forgot- ten. But I cannot. vehicle they could find to transport eyes and ears, and dental prob- The puppy mill where my dog the animals. lems—but with the added com- was born was closed due to the “We have two ambulances and a plication of parvovirus. Behavior investigation and rescue conducted by the Humane jeep vehicle,” Spackman says. challenges were the same. “They Society of Missouri. The property was condemned, “People were using their own cars didn’t know how to be dogs,” says the breeder’s license revoked, and the Missouri to get the animals back to the shel- Spackman. “Everything was new— Attorney General filed legal action based on 16 ter. Once at our shelter, we actual- interacting with people, discover- individual consumer complaints to the Better ly used up all the hot water trying ing grass, toys.” Business Bureau. to clean. I think I left the shelter at McDevitt recalled that the males It wasn’t the only time I witnessed such cruelty 4 o’clock in the morning—it real- were especially challenging. “They at the hands of a mass breeder whose operations ly was a 24-hour process.” weren’t as accustomed to people,” are bolstered by a public that doesn’t understand Chuck McDevitt, manager of he said. “It was upsetting to put and a system that looks the other way. During my public relations for the organiza- them on the floor and see that they seven years as manager of public relations at the tion, encourages quickly engaging didn’t know what to do.” Humane Society of Missouri, whose efforts I profile the media in a puppy mill case. Chester County SPCA has about in the articles on these pages, we rescued hundreds “Involve the media from the begin- 30 staff members and usually hous- of animals from puppy mills each year. ning,” he suggests. “They were es about 110 animals at a time. To I sometimes look at my dog and wonder what continually running our requests conduct the rescue, staff collabo- his life might have entailed if he hadn’t been res- for product donation and financial rated with breed rescue groups, cued four years ago. He might still be living in contributions. People saw the story veterinarians, and other animal that same puppy mill as part of the cycle of neg- and contacted us saying that they agencies able to help house the lect. Or he might have been one of the lucky pup- had purchased a dog from this puppy mill dogs. pies sold to a broker and purchased by a loving breeder. We later had the option Although the bust and aftermath family who would spoil him as I do now. to bring those people forward in were overwhelming and stressful, the Regardless of what his future might have held, the case.” staff recognized this was the time to having him as my companion constantly reminds In response to the media cover- be heroic, Spackman says. “We tried me of the thousands of dogs living in misery wait- age, the shelter was also flush with to do various things to reward ing to be rescued from a puppy mill—a life not fit blankets, beds, and other donations them—we gave them a day off with for a dog. that helped keep the animals com- pay to reward them, pizza, thank-you Katherine McGowan has spent the past decade rais- fortable. notes. We got a note of praise from ing awareness about puppy mills and has participat- The puppy mill dogs in the the assistant district attorney about ed in many large-scale rescues. She is a consultant Pennsylvania case manifested the the humane officers and the profes- for the Companion Animals section of The Humane same physical ailments as found sionalism of the staff and how they Society of the United States. She lives in St. Louis with in Missouri puppy mill dogs— worked endless hours on this case. her shih tzu and three cats. mange, lice, ear mites, infected We posted that for the staff to see.” The task was huge, but “how could in jail, restitution to the shelter car- Even if you have to go in and get a you not do it?” asks Spackman. “At ing for the animals, and then pro- few animals to get the evidence, least with us, the dogs had clean bation, which would normally be then take a few. Do not ignore the cages, towels, food, water, and med- two or three years,” Ransom says. situation because you can’t take ical care.” Holding breeders responsible for them all.” The results speak for themselves: their actions is the main goal, And don’t get too hung up on The primary breeder was charged Ransom says, and even a probation getting a conviction. “Get them to with 337 counts of animal cruel- sentence can help accomplish that. stop doing it on the scale that they ty. The animals were with the Ransom understands: He spent 10 are doing it,” he says. “If all you Chester County SPCA from years as director of rescue and inves- do is get them out of the busi- February through late June, when tigations at the Humane Society of ness—great!” ❂ they were finally allowed to be put Missouri. He recognizes that shel- up for adoption. McDevitt remem- ters across the nation are over- bers having people camped out to whelmed by the prospect of inves- adopt the dogs—more than 500 tigating a puppy mill and housing interested adopters showed up at hundreds of dogs in the aftermath of the shelter. The breeder and his a rescue. And it’s a legitimate worry: cohorts were found guilty in late Many shelters don’t have the exten- April. They appealed but were sive resources—money, staff and ultimately put on probation for 15 space—to tackle such large-scale years and not allowed to handle breeding operations. or own animals. Restitution But even smaller organizations owed to the Chester County SPCA can help chip away at nasty mass- totals $122,000. breeding facilities. “My advice to Given the pain inflicted on the any animal control officer or any animals, the sentence might at first humane society is that if you see seem less than fair. But consider abuse, you can still file on them the usual results, says Curt even if you don’t take any animals,” Ransom, a former cruelty investi- Ransom says. “As part of their pro- gator who is now program manag- bation, have the animals dispersed. Stop Puppy Mills er for The HSUS’s West Coast You might not be able to rescue Want to fight puppy mills in your community or Regional Office. A “normal sen- those animals, but you can prevent enlist public support for the cause? Order the new tence would be no days to 10 days the breeder from hurting them. … Dog Saver’s Kit from The Humane Society of the United States. The $3 kit contains printed materi- als, letter templates, model legislation, and other tools to help advocates get started. For more information, visit www.StopPuppyMills.com, or contact your regional representative for The Humane Society of the United States through www.hsus.org. CHESTER COUNTY SPCA Cramped quarters and overcrowding are typical of puppy mill conditions. Many mass breeders favor small dogs; more animals can be kept in less space, which makes for more sales.

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 WWW.ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG 45 theDOCisIN

New Columnist Joins Animal Sheltering Meet the new Doc—not the same as the old Doc. In response to the success of Dr. Kate Hurley’s veterinary column, Animal Sheltering is increasing its coverage of shelter medicine issues. This department will run in every issue, with authorship rotating between Dr. Hurley and our new columnist, Dr. Lila Miller of the ASPCA. Your shelter veterinary news source is now bicoastal! We’re delighted to have Dr. Miller sharing the space with Dr. Hurley, and we look forward to learning from their columns.

but when I eventually graduated armed only with the support of the from Cornell University’s College of organization, his years of practi- Veterinary Medicine, I had no long- cal experience, and my new degree term career goals. I knew I want- to guide us. Although resources ed to return to New York City to were limited, improving the care of work, but I didn’t want to plunge the animals was a priority for the into private practice. Nor did I want organization, which was handling to intern at another venue where I more than 85,000 animals in five would learn more of the same “high shelters that were open 24 hours a tech” medicine that I knew the day, 7 days a week. I agreed to give clients I most wanted to serve— it a try, planning to be there for a those in inner-city neighborhoods— year or so while I figured out what BY LILA MILLER, DVM would not be able to afford. I really wanted to do. After performing sterilizations That was more than 25 years I was very flattered when the edi- through a veterinary student extern- ago. The challenges were enor- tor of Animal Sheltering, one of the ship program at the ASPCA’s Henry mous, and, needless to say, we most respected venues for infor- Bergh Memorial Hospital, I want- were sometimes very discouraged. mation about shelter medicine, ed to return to do an internship. Changes didn’t happen overnight, asked me to share the writing of the The program ended just before my and the staff and volunteers did- regular shelter medicine column graduation, but another job oppor- n’t always cooperate—I am sure with Kate Hurley. One of the biggest tunity presented itself through the this sounds familiar to many of you. challenges of such an assignment ASPCA’s animal control contract We weren’t always sure that our is selecting one topic from the hun- with New York City. But after improvements would actually work, dreds I could write about. But for accompanying the supervising vet- for what seemed good in theory or my first column, I decided to fol- erinarian on a few very depressing on paper didn’t always work out in low the precedent set by Dr. Hurley visits, I thought it was one of the practice. But we persevered. All by providing some information last places I wanted to work. So animals received complete physi- about my background in the field. when he first suggested I work with cal examinations almost as soon as I confess that I never envisioned him to develop shelter health care they entered the facility. We iden- a career working with shelter ani- protocols, I was very hesitant. tified and segregated adoptable animals. My only experience with a Shelter medicine was unheard of mals from the general population, shelter was when my family adopt- at the time. There were no guide- then vaccinated and dewormed ed a puppy from the ASPCA when lines available for providing vet- them. Sick animals were either iso- I was about five years old. At six, I erinary care for shelter animals, so lated and treated or euthanized. decided to become a veterinarian, we would be basically on our own, Treatment protocols and better

46 ANIMAL SHELTERING SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 WWW.ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG 47 theDOCisIN

THE WORK WAS DIFFICULT, AND recordkeeping systems were put in HEARTBREAKING perform blood work and EKGs, and place. Although several “experts” hired additional staff. said it couldn’t be done because of AT TIMES, After 15 years of providing low- the sheer number of animals we BUT ALSO cost quality care and spay/neuter handled, we switched from services to the community and shel- euthanasia by decompression ENORMOUSLY ter, the Brooklyn clinic closed; the chamber to intravenous injection SATISFYING. ASPCA had relinquished the con- of pentobarbital—at a time when it tract for animal control two years was not unusual for more than 100 patient clinic in its new shelter in one earlier. I was then offered another animals to be euthanized daily. We of New York City’s most impoverished job as veterinary advisor and direc- categorized animals by health sta- neighborhoods in Brooklyn while tor in the newly formed animal sci- tus for adoption, and we held train- continuing to supervise the shelter ences department of the ASPCA. I ing classes in animal handling and health program. The clinic was invited several prominent veterinary basic behavior assessment for all designed to provide better care for behaviorists, dog trainers, and pub- staff. A large part of my job was the shelter animals and low-cost care lic policymakers to a Dangerous Dog examining and treating animals for already owned pets. We got off to Summit to probe the issues of han- held for longer periods due to ongo- a slow start, with one technician and dling dangerous dogs, and I wrote ing cruelty cases. The work was dif- one receptionist working with me in an article for American Humane ficult, and heartbreaking at times, one exam room, but the demand for about how veterinarians could rec- but also enormously satisfying. service quickly proved to be extraor- ognize and document animal abuse. After I’d spent five years doing dinary. The Brooklyn clinic added a I provided veterinary expertise for hands-on work in the shelter, the surgical suite, installed radiograph- a variety of ASPCA projects and vis- ASPCA asked me to run a small out- ic equipment, set up contracts to ited shelters around the country to

48 ANIMAL SHELTERING SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 theDOCisIN

help them deal with their medical Shelter Medicine for Veterinarians American Association of Human- problems. My days were filled with and Staff became a reality in 2004, Animal Bond Veterinarians. requests for information about a and Kate Hurley and I have begun I don’t think that anyone could variety of veterinary topics. collaboration on another shelter have predicted that my first posi- In 1998, I was asked to co-teach medicine textbook that will focus tion as an animal care supervisor an elective course with Dr. Janet solely on the management of infec- in a shelter, a job that was once Scarlett at Cornell University. It was tious disease in shelters. deemed a final resting place for called “Issues and Opportunities My current position at the retired or incompetent veterinari- in Shelter Medicine,” and although ASPCA is Vice President of ans, would become a respectable I was concerned about my ability Veterinary Outreach and Veterinary career choice; nor could anyone to lecture professionally at my alma Advisor. In addition to advising, lec- have foreseen that shelter medi- mater, I jumped at the chance to turing, and writing about shelter cine would become recognized as be the first to bring a formal course medicine, I also teach about the a veterinary specialty. As I think in shelter medicine to a veterinary veterinarian’s role in investigating back to the seemingly insur- college. The first class was held in and reporting animal cruelty. I mountable obstacles the ASPCA 1999 with 9 students. (In 2005 supervise a program that focuses had to overcome in order to realize there were 30.) After the first year, on bringing spay/neuter programs its potential to become a national we could see there was a definite to local communities and univer- leader in the movement to improve need for a textbook in shelter med- sities, and I serve as president of the lives of animals, my message icine, so Dr. Stephen Zawistowski the Association of Shelter to other shelters that are facing sim- and I drew up a proposal to edit a Veterinarians and on the National ilar, overwhelming circumstances text that was accepted by Iowa State Board of Veterinary Medical is to continue to persevere— Press (now Blackwell Publishing). Examiners and the board of the because anything is possible. ❂

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 WWW.ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG 49 models&MENTORS

Helping People Buy and Sell Homes —and Putting Pets in Them, Too Real estate agent creates program to promote shelter adoption

BY KATINA ANTONIADES

of a loss. Last fall, real estate agent Collette ed as we wish we would,” he says. “But Blanchette’s two Yorkshire terriers, Cujo you know what? If we had just one, the and Scruffy, got loose and disappeared. program is a success.” They were never found, despite help from When potential adopters seek to both a pet detective and a bloodhound. redeem the vouchers, they’re still required While searching for her dogs, Blanchette to meet the shelter’s regular adoption cri- frequently checked for them at the Ramona teria, says Sheppard. Without a voucher, Humane Society in San Jacinto, often vis- adoption fees at the shelter, which include iting two or three times a day. While she various services and products, are $97.50 didn’t find her dogs, what she saw there for dogs and $65 for cats. The certificate spurred her into action. “Going in there allows for adoption of any species. was so sad because there are so many ani- Sheppard feels grateful for Blanchette’s WHO SHE IS: Collette Blanchette, a real mals,” she says. “We have a relatively small help. “No one knows how bad it is until estate agent in California city, but they’re just euthanizing so many they come into the facility and they see animals every year because of overpopu- how many homeless pets there really are,” WHAT SHE DOES: Finds and sells homes lation, and people just not caring, so I want- he says. “And when they take that mat- for humans—and while she’s at it, finds ed to do something to alleviate the situa- ter into their own hands or when they homes for local shelter pets tion in some small way.” accept the responsibility that it’s all of our Blanchette approached Brubaker- jobs—not just mine or my kennel or what- WHAT SHE HOPES: That companies Culton and the Ramona Humane Society ever—it’s all of our jobs to take care of around the country will borrow her idea with a proposal to which they both agreed: these animals, it’s a good feeling.” to help reduce pet overpopulation the company would offer a voucher for Brubaker-Culton’s clients appreciate the adoption of a pet from the shelter to the program, too. “I remember one client ree” is a word you don’t hear clients who bought or sold a house through recently, she just moved into her first very often during the process of the company. If an individual or family house, and she had a son who had just “Fbuying a house. The house already had a pet who happened to be lost his dad,” says Blanchette. “And they inspection, the appraisal, the closing costs unsterilized, the voucher would be good sort of had limited means, so it was just —pretty much the only thing you don’t have for one free spay or neuter surgery. great; she was so appreciative of the to pay for is the smorgasbord of snacks your Brubaker-Culton now promotes the opportunity, and [it was] the perfect thing settlement company provides to munch on “Free Pet with Purchase” in every adver- her son needed to help him through the at closing. tisement it prints; the company has offered time that he was going through.” Clients of Brubaker-Culton, a real estate hundreds of adoption vouchers to clients. Blanchette hopes the program will start company in southern California, receive “It’s been pretty successful. … We’ve a nationwide trend among companies of something much more special than saved, I think, six or seven pets so far this all sorts. “It would help to alleviate the munchies when they buy—or sell—a year,” says Blanchette, who once again huge problem with pet abandonment and house: the opportunity to adopt or steril- shares her home with a furry friend after overpopulation,” she says. ize a pet free of charge. The company adopting a dog herself. You don’t have to be in the animal wel- began its “Free Pet with Purchase” pro- To Jeff Sheppard, the Ramona fare field to make a difference for ani- gram earlier this year after one of its agents Humane Society’s executive director, the mals, Sheppard adds. “If everybody put pitched the idea. true success of the promotion isn’t meas- their heads together and used their The plan to find pets for clients and ured in numbers. “We’ve had several expertise to help the less fortunate, what new homes for shelter animals grew out [adoptions]; we haven’t been bombard- could we accomplish?” ❂

50 ANIMAL SHELTERING SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 WWW.ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG 51 straightTALK

The Context of Cruelty

How did you get involved in study- sociological in looking at cruelty than ing people who work with animals? the two literatures that I thought were I’m a sociologist, so I got involved the predominant literatures around. in this not so much as an advo- cate [but] more as someone who’s What were those two literatures? interested in the culture of labora- What kind of gap did you see? tories and science that made it One literature I call the alarmist possible for people to do these or advocacy literature, which serves animal experiments without assum- an important function. It’s a liter- ing that they are fundamentally ature that’s largely not research- flawed or sadistic. I found that when based, and it argues, usually, for Since the mid-1980s, Arnold Arluke I was doing that work, the whole ever more unsavory and grotesque has been watching us. area of human-animal relationships ways that humans cause suffering Don’t be creeped out: It’s a good opened up to me as this gold mine, to animals. And by the way, I don’t thing. Arluke is a professor of soci- really, of fascinating relationships. doubt that this occurs. And it real- ology and anthropology at North- And when I was studying their ly is a wake-up call … for readers eastern University and senior schol- euthanasia of animals—which they out there who may not be on the ar at Tufts University’s Center for call “sacrificing”—they kept say- bandwagon to see animal cruelty Animals and Public Policy. His most ing, “Well, you should go to shel- as a horrible thing and something recent book, Just a Dog: Under- ters because they do this eutha- which we need to curtail. I often standing Animal Cruelty and nizing full time.” wonder whether it’s often preach- Ourselves, is a fascinating and ing more to the choir, but that’s OK provocative examination of the sub- Why did you start looking at animal too; that serves a function. It some- ject of animal abuse. cruelty particularly? times is based on a few studies, Instead of looking at the animals’ I was talking to someone [in the early but by and large, it’s really to drum experience, he looks at those who ’90s] about research that I was doing up support. try to help them—humane law on the relationship of animal abuse The other literature that’s more enforcement officers and shelter to subsequent violence toward of a research-based one is very psy- workers—and observes how they humans. And the person I was chologically driven, and that also attempt to process and understand speaking with suggested that, as a has an important place. That liter- cruelty. Arluke’s subject matter is sociologist, I might come at the issue ature tries to understand the caus- broad in scope, covering everything of cruelty in a very fresh and new es of animal cruelty among children, from the experiences of hoarders way. The feeling that he had, and I and often it does this by looking at to the “no kill”/open-admission shared as I thought more about it, is or arguing for seriously disturbed debate. The book even devotes that the intellectual or academic individual psychological flaws that some pages to a discussion of mar- understanding of animal cruelty was are thought to be at the root of why keters who rely on cruelty cases to arrested and very limited. To under- a child will seriously harm an ani- generate support for shelters. stand the nature and significance of mal, and then the effects. The Essential reading for those with cruelty, at least in America, we had effects are [documented in] later an interest in the humane move- to get beyond what I thought were psychological research, now known ment, Just a Dog is likely to create very narrow approaches—and as “the link” studies that have some controversy in the field approaches, by the way, that were sought to connect animal abuse with because of its questions about full of what I thought were faulty subsequent behaviors. They often some of our core beliefs—most assumptions. It doesn’t mean we focus on either serial killers or wife notably, the presumed link between have to stop the kind of work that abusers. I felt we needed to some- animal cruelty and violence towards was already going on … but can’t we how expand our understanding of people. Animal Sheltering associ- supplement it and provide an alter- what this thing is we call animal ate editor Carrie Allan spoke to native that really goes about asking abuse, and understand more about Arluke about his research; excerpts very different questions? To stimu- the context around it that shapes of that interview appear here. late thinking, I wanted to be more its meaning.

52 ANIMAL SHELTERING SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2006 JOIN May 9–12 US 2007 FOR

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