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Animals
as Companions "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." -Gandhi RMAD's
Companion Animal Doorknob Flyer Why Do We Need a Companion Animal Program?Dogs, cats, horses, ferrets, pot-bellied pigs. These and other animals are the ones we humans supposedly care most about. Yet, even though we don't hunt them or eat them, they can suffer tremendously at our hands. We kill millions of unwanted dogs and cats every year. Many more are left on the street to fend for themselves. At the same time, puppy mills continue to churn out dog after dog after dog. For every animal purchased at a pet store, an animal is killed in a shelter. Too many dogs are kept on chains in backyards, exposed to the elements and enjoying no companionship. Too many cats are kept in homes where they get little exercise or environmental stimulation, faring not much better than an animal in a cage at a zoo. Selective breeding results in numerous health problems, particularly in dogs. And even more drastic measures are taken to tailor their appearance: their ears and tails may be cut off. Some dogs are "debarked", a quick fix to what is likely a deeper problem. Cats' paws are mutilated and amputated so they won't scratch the furniture. And, of course, the Pet-of-the-Month syndrome has its casualties. Pot-bellied pigs were all the rage in the 1990s. Now thousands languish in sanctuaries where their individual needs simply cannot be met. Further, whereas our companion animals generally do not suffer from being hunted or eaten, they do suffer in the entertainment industry and the "research" industry. Dogs and horses used in the racing industry lead miserable lives. For every pampered champion, a thousand animals suffer from a lack of companionship and rigorous training and travel schedules. Those who can't perform are often simply killed. And right here in Colorado — at the University of Colorado, for instance — dogs and cats are being experimented on in untold ways. RMAD encourages spaying and neutering of domesticated animals, eliminating the use of domesticated animals in entertainment and "research," abolishing pet stores, and prohibiting cosmetic surgery (such as tail docking) on animals. We advocate for a new ethic in which companion animals get the attention, love, and respect they deserve. Mission StatementThe mission of RMAD's companion animal program is to improve the treatment of companion animals via research, investigation, education, and rescue efforts. The primary focus of the program is on exposing incidents of companion animal cruelty or neglect and working to eliminate practices and influence public attitudes that lead to such incidents. The program also focuses on overpopulation and responsible guardianship. This program will support efforts of other animal welfare organization where synergies exist, and promote legislative change as appropriate. Program ContactDave Crawford,
Program Coordinator Some Facts About OverpopulationAccording to The Humane Society of the United States, shelters euthanize 8 million dogs and cats every year. All companion animals should be spayed or neutered. This helps prevent unwanted animals from being put to death. It also has a positive effect on the health of your pet! Spaying a female can reduce the chance of some cancers, and neutering a male reduces the chance of prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. It is also likely to make your pet calmer and less likely to roam, fight with other dogs, or bite. In addition, spaying a dog or cat will eliminate her heat cycle (estrus). Many veterinarians sterilize animals as young as 8 weeks of age. Low-cost spay and neuter services may be available to you under programs such as the Denver Dumb Friends League's Spay/Neuter Incentive Program (SNIP). Please check under Resources for more information. Puppy Mills, Pet Shops, and the AKCPuppy mills (and kitten mills) are mass breeding facilities that sell their "product" to dealers or pet stores. Although mills are inspected, inspections are woefully inadequate, and many operate in violation of the Animal Welfare Act (signed into law in 1966). While its original intent was to regulate the care and use of animals in the laboratory, the AWA has become the only Federal law in the United States that regulates the treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport, and by dealers. The AWA's standards are truly minimal. As long as puppy and kitten mills continue to realize a huge profit from their operations, dogs and cats will continue to suffer. The most effective way to put these operations out of business is to stop buying their "product" from pet stores and pet dealers! In addition, many of these pet shop animals have inherent genetic problems caused by indiscriminate breeding, are prone to serious health problems, and exhibit behavioral problems that will cost you money and cause you plenty of heartbreak! When you buy an animal from a pet shop, you are contributing to the misery of dogs and cats that are being treated inhumanely just to make a profit. And, you are potentially depriving a shelter animal of the chance to find a home. No matter how much you wish to "rescue" that pet store puppy or kitten, don't! The spot vacated by your purchase will be quickly filled by another helpless animal. There are many great animals in shelters (including purebred dogs and cats) looking for new homes — why would you even consider buying from a pet store? There are also numerous breed rescue societies if you are particularly interested in a purebred animal. Here's what you can do to help shut down puppy and kitten mills: · Support legislation to stop mass production and exportation of dogs and demand that existing laws be enforced. · Help make others aware about puppy/kitten mills and pet stores — encourage them to consider a shelter or rescue organization · Report any "breeder" who sells more than two breeds of dogs or has more than two litters available at a time to RMAD (could signify a puppy mill) · Don't purchase food or other pet supplies from pet stores that sell live animals — instead purchase your supplies from a store that does not sell live animals, your vet, or through mail order On Being a Responsible GuardianAs a guardian, you are responsible for the health and happiness of your companion. Caring for a dog or cat can be expensive — food and supplies for a large dog can be $500-$700 per year, with another $100-$300 for routine vet care. Make sure that a companion fits into your lifestyle and that you are prepared to devote your time and energy to her. Too often, dogs and cats are neglected in small crates indoors or on chains in backyards. Just like people, animals get bored, lonely, and anxious. Dogs in particular are pack animals and many experience anxiety when left alone all day. If you can't get a companion for your dog, and if doggy day care is not an option, you can use other ways to help your dog entertain himself. Provide him with an appropriately sized, non-splintering chew toy such as a Nylabone. Or, fill a hollow toy such as a Kong with a few treats. If possible, arrange for a neighbor to visit your dog when you are away. If you leave your dog outside during the day while you are at work, he should have a secure, fenced area. Do not chain or tie your dog up! This contributes to a multitude of behavioral problems (such as excessive barking), and there is always a chance the dog can injure himself. Make sure your companion always has plenty of fresh water and shelter from the elements. When you get home, make the time to go for a walk with your companion — you will both benefit from the exercise, and from spending time together! Please read some of the books listed under Resources and continue to educate yourself about the needs of your companion. What You Might Not Know About DeclawingDeclawing is effectively amputation — it is the removal of bones, tendons, ligaments, and claws to the first knuckle of each joint. Great Britain, Denmark, Germany, Australia, and many other countries consider it inhumane. Not only is declawing painful and unnecessary, it can cause behavioral problems such as urinating outside of the litter box. Cats are smart. They can be trained to use a scratching post. A good post should be tall enough to allow them to fully stretch, attached to something so it doesn't tip over on top of them, and of a tough, yet "giving" material like sisal. Cats' claws also can be trimmed. For more information, please read "Cat Be Good," by Annie Bruce, which is listed under "Resources." How to Build a Scratching Post Buy a 30-inch length of 4x4 lumber (pine) for the posts and a 16-inch square of ¾- or 1-inch plywood for the base. Alternately, you can use a small log with the bark in place for the post. Roughen the pine using a wire brush. Then screw or nail post to the base. Tail Docking and Ear CroppingEar cropping and tail docking procedures are medically unnecessary and cause pain and suffering. Additionally, ears and tails serve as part of a dog's behavioral repertoire and therefore should not be surgically altered unless necessary for the dog's health. Numerous other countries prohibit these procedures because they are inherently inhumane. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recently changed its policy on ear cropping to: "Ear cropping and tail docking in dogs for cosmetic reasons are not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient. These procedures cause pain and distress, and, as with all surgical procedures, are accompanied by inherent risks of anesthesia, blood loss, and infection. Therefore, veterinarians should counsel dog owners about these matters before agreeing to perform these surgeries." Although this is far better than their previous policy, you can see the serious problem with such a statement from an animal welfare perspective. The surgeries are unnecessary and of no benefit to dogs, and they cause pain and distress, but they are not proscribed! Please send an e-mail message to the AVMA <avmainfo@avma.org> thanking them for the improvement in the policy, but asking them to take the next logical and humane step and unequivocally oppose these inhumane practices. ResourcesBooksKindred Spirits, Allen
M. Schoen, DVM, MS, Broadway Books/New York Veterinary ResourcesInternational Veterinary
Acupuncture Society (IVAS) American Veterinary and
Chiropractic Association (AVCA) American Holistic Veterinary
Medical Association (AHVMA) Ralph Johnson Association of Veterinarians
for Animal Rights AltVedMed (Complementary
and Alternative Veterinary Medicine) Spay/Neuter Incentive
Program (SNIP)
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