|
Everyone spends so much time doing what PETA and HSUS say when in reality these organizations want to end animal ownership altogether. Over the past 18 years, the city of Calgary has cut their number of dog bites and chases by more than 50% (all the while, the human and dog population of Calgary has doubled). The dog licensing rate is over 90%, where 10-30% is the norm in the US. "Your pet's license is his ticket home" is the motto. The best one is Calgary and they have no laws against pets in any form and they have 95% compliance which makes their programs pay for themselves. "The Best Animal Control Program in North America"None of the 5000 dogs a year that end up in Calgary, Canada shelters are euthanized for population control. This book is like so many about homeless animals it doesn't tell the reader about the most successfuf program in North America. It's all paid for by pet licensing fees.
High licensing compliance means that the taxpayers do not foot the bill for animal services, and it means that nearly all stray pets are quickly reunited with their owners which saves lives and keeps costs low. The taxpayers of Calgary pay nothing for this excellent service. There is no way to achieve this kind of licensing compliance in an environment where citizens feel they must hide their dogs and cats from pet limit laws, BSL, or mandatory spay/neuter laws. This saves money and it saves lives. The No kill shelters seem to be working. Calgary, when it comes to animal control, is the envy of the continent.The leader of this superb organization is Bill Bruce.no - mandatory spay/neuterno - breed specific legislationno - pet limit lawsno - anti-tethering lawsyes - providing valued services rather than simply punishing citizens into complianceyes - buy in and cooperation among community stakeholdersyes - extensive education and PR campaign to emphasize responsible pet ownershipyes - low license fees and modest fee differential for intact petsCalgary's phenomenal success depends on a sense of trust among pet owners that they will be treated fairly by and obtain good services from Calgary Animal Services.
Many stray pets that are picked up by Calgary Animal Services are returned straight home, they aren't impounded. It also ensures that the owner will license the pet as its the only way it can get a ride back home. Trust makes for unprecedented high licensing compliance. Without the voluntary licensing compliance of 95% of the population, none of the rest of the success could have happened.Best Friends: The True Story of the World's Most Beloved Animal Sanctuary
This is a great story about the most fantastic place on earth - Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is truly special - a visit there will change your life. And it is even more special having read the history of how it was built.
As a Best Friend's supporter, this book was heartwarming and very informative of the struggle to start a rescue. I knew many of the animals whose names grace the different locations at the sanctuary and it was great to read their stories and how they wound up there. The book reads quickly and if you are an animal lover, will hold your interest right thru to the end. You will laugh and cry with all within, but in the end, it's all worth it.A great read.
this was such a great book. sometimes sad but all and all a great telling of how best friends animal sanctuary came to be. to all animal lovers this is a must read.
This book was orinally loaned to me by my Massage Therapist. Little by most peoples standards. I also found myself being angry in chapters that would normally make me sad. I let the book sit on my nightstand for months. Both copies of "Best Friends" that I purchased from Amazon are Christmas gifts to people that will get the same satisfaction out of this book. I was worried that it would have a bunch of sad stories and it would leave me depressed and sad. We both knew about Best Friends but I didn't know there was a book about its' startup. The "little" they received was an abundance of unconditional love from the animals.
Not the case. I was inspired by people using their talents to help animals when they received little in return. I had to remind myself that there are more animal lovers out there than there are cruel people. I plan to visit the sanctuary next time I'm in Utah.
|
