Humane Relocation on the Brain

Literally minutes after finishing our article on the global stray dog population crisis and the unintended consequences of importing foreign strays into the United States, we came across this article, detailing concerns among Maine's health officials and veterinarians in regards to recent humane relocation trends:

The combination of an out-of-control dog population in much of the South, and successful spay and neuter programs in the Northeast, has created a supply and demand for adoptable dogs. But health officials and vets, including the Maine State veterinarian, are concerned that these migrant dogs could be bringing infectious diseases with them.

Though we've been working to inform people about humane relocation for years, this is the first we've read of the issue in Maine; it's nice to see more and more people becoming aware of it. And if it would have ended there, it would have been a pretty good day.

But wait... there was more! Much more.

A few hours after reading the article from Maine, we received a copy of the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Associations testimony in support of H.B. 5368, which would extend certain pet shop licensee requirements to people and organizations involved in the importation of animals for adoption (similar to one of our own pieces of model legislation). Big thank you to Dr. Arnold Goldman, DVM, MS, for sending us the transcript!

From the looks of H.B. 5368,  not only is there a growing understanding of humane relocation and its implications, but knowledge that the system is being gamed by people wanting to cash in on the warm and fuzzy feelings that come along with pet adoption. Referring to pet rescue as an "industry" and pointing out the financial stakes held by these groups is a controversial, bold statement to make, but it's the truth, and something that can't go unsaid. And broaching this painful-but-true topic in polite society:

Indeed, some animals are bred specifically for transport and characterization of these animals as needing rescue is misleading.

Wow. Speaking of bold, I wanted to find a word that could accurately describe the kind of shameless cynicism that goes into such marketing, but was worried it'd break the thesaurus. The idea that there are commercial breeding operations creating "shelter dogs" as a product to be sold to well-meaning prospective pet owners is so repugnant the first reaction isn't horror -- it's often disbelief, even anger toward the messenger. In fact, this is a subject we are very careful about bringing up, because it is so hard for a decent person to wrap their head around. "Nobody could do something that despicable! How could you say such a horrible thing?"

If you don't have time to read the entire testimony, at least check out the summary. We're going to be hearing a lot about animal importation laws over the next few years; might as well become acquainted sooner rather than later:

Thus continued unregulated animal importation exposes Connecticut animals to disease, is unfair to citizens surprised by undisclosed medical issues and the costs to treat these, is inhumane To Connecticut source animals by decreasing their chance of adoption and shifts the cost of animal control activities from other states to our state. HB 5368 will allow animal health officials to control animal importation, prevent disease transmission, help ensure humane transport standards, protect Connecticut animal owners and animals, reduce Connecticut animal control costs and minimize the surrender of newly imported animals. Thank you.

No, thank you, Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association!

Comments

[Dr Arnold L. Goldman]

Thanks. Pet "overpopulation' will never be solved without an epidemiologic approach to the problem, one based in science instead of solely emotion.
The solution cannot be focused on the individual 1 or 10 animals, but always about the 10,000 or 100,000 per state yet to be born, 5 years out, 10 years out and 20 years out.

I firmly believe that interstate trafficking in dogs enables states in the south and midwest to
avoid expending scarce resources on public education and animal control. The media further abets this by making it seem as if the rescue industry is an acceptable and sufficient outlet for some states ongoing irresponsibility. We hope that the contemplated future regulation here, creates enough "upstream pressure" in the exporting states, that a public outcry in those exporting states finally develops. That outcry will be what finally motivates their politicians and sets the stage for tax dollars to be applied appropriately. It's well past time for other states to live up to the northern states animal welfare and animal control standards.

[T. Leigh]

It's ironic and unfortunate that the ethics and laws regarding the import and export of exotic species for obvious reasons such as disease control and species displacement aren't widely applied to the distribution of domesticated animals.

[genes]

All rescue groups have their dogs(and cats) examined by qualified vets and inform prospective adopters of any medical problems. Most kennels sell to any one that can afford the dog and either pick it up or arrange transport. Again the dogs are examined by qualified vets. What you have here is a group trying to protect their own income by exaggerating or possibly out right lying.

[K.]

To genes: I'm a rescuer, although not for dogs and cats, and I can say that not ALL rescue groups are as ethical as you might think. Most are hard working volunteers that use thier own money to help animals in need, but not everyone is as ethical as you'd like to think.

[Dr Arnold L. Goldman]

Further to genes: Your implication that veterinarians are trying to somehow profit from the regulation of rescue importation is wrong and insulting. If we wanted to profit, why not just continue to allow unlimited importation with all the disease that has been arriving inside our borders. After all, we vets only make money when sick animals need care, right? The point of the regulation is that veterinarians have a duty to both the animals and to our clients who already own animals and may choose to adopt more in the future. We see the consequences of undetected or ignored medical issues and what happens when someone has not anticipated the expense and heartache of those problems. All new animal owners must have recourse when an animal arrives with hidden or unacknowledged ailments. The price of rescuers "wanting to help" comes with a responsibility to the animal and the adopter. Once the donation and the animal change hands, there remains a duty on the part of the rescue group and their agents in our state. The proposed regulatory scheme will ensure that fly by night profiteering and weekend commuter lot distribution is eliminated.
That is what will be fair to citizens of my state, to animals already here and to animals yet to arrive here. I refuse to say nothing and profit from dog trafficking when a ready solution that levels the playing field is so easily established.

[Greyglitz]

I have adopted 3 full bred Greyhounds in the last 7 years at the cost of $275 each. Each one had all their vaccinations and rabies up to date, were spayed or nuetered, were wormed, and one needed an amputation. All medical was provided by the adoption group BEFORE I adopted. They must be financial wizards if they made a dime off of me or my pups. Now the interstate health certificates and vet checks will be nullified by Ct and 2 new vet checks will need to be performed in CT within the first 15 days with a third every 90 days thereafter. Someone is going to make a profit and I'm sure it won't be the legit rescues.

25 years ago, most Greyhounds were "disposed of". The State Agriculture depts. were the ones overseeing the racing industry. Greyhounds were considered livestock and were not protected by any laws. They did a bang up job. Since then, breeders, tracks, and adoption groups banded together in search of a better solution. Now the majority of these beautiful animals are placed in loving homes. There are no tracks left in CT so all greyhounds are "imported". Tracks are closing, pups are in need of homes. Are we going back to the Good Ole days?

This law paints all rescues with the same broad brush. The legit rescues will follow the rules, struggle financially, and close. The void will be filled with the rescues who don't follow the rules. The pups will pay the price...