Category: Design Thesis Research

Summary 1:
There are over 600 million strays worldwide, which is a man-made problem. Stray animals run a risk of being hit by a car, dying from diseases, and other dangers amongst the streets. Strays are a risk to communities and the general perception of that community. There are three types of stray animals: Lost, abandoned, and dogs born as strays. The solution to reducing the number of strays is to have responsible dog ownership. For an individual dog to maintain health and well-being in their environment, it’s important that they have freedom. This freedom includes: Freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort freedom from pain, injury, or disease, freedom to express normal behavior, and freedom from fear and distress. To reduce the number of strays owners should not abandon their animals, have them kept properly in a contained environment, have them microchipped and registered, and have them neutered.

http://www.zerostraypawject.org/strays-explained

Summary 2:
Out of the 70 million stray animals in the US, 20% are euthanized annually and the 10% that were lost were returned to their owners. The dangers of stray dogs are that they carry parasites, distemper and rabies, and can have behavioral problems like aggression. Strays also increase the stray animal population by breeding with one another. The common diseases amongst stray dogs are: Canine distemper, parvovirus, fleas, parasites, heartworm disease, kennel cough and canine influenza, digestive issues, mange, ticks, and trauma. To help stray dogs in communities, people should support, or help rescues, support or make a local group, research strays needs by talking to shelters, vets, and humane societies in the area. If people get into contact with stray animals, they should call a local shelter.

(2019, October 6). Stray Dog Rescue: How to Help Your Community. Pet Place. Retrieved from, https://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/pet-care/dog-care/stray-dog-rescue-how-to-help-your-community/

Summary 3:
Roaming animals are a result of pet abandonment. Owners give up their animals, leaving them to survive on their own. Breeding amongst stay animals is not controlled, leading to more stray animals. Stray animals are likely to crossroads, causing accidents. Sending stray animals to shelters doesn’t solve the overpopulation problem. Some shelters neglect the animals’ needs, as they are not properly cared for through service, interaction, and care. In Asia, many animals are stuck in overcrowded shelters. When no one adopts a stray animal, they are euthanized. However, some euthanasia practices are through poison, traps, electrocution, beatings, and shootings. 24,000 animal cruelty cases were reported in India in the last 3 years. Some make money off of stray dogs for dog meat trading as if pets are seen as consumed goods. There have been 100 million dogs and 4 million stray cats who were killed for the dog meat trade in China alone. The stray animal population also burdens taxpayers. Euthanizing animals costs money and by euthanizing 25,000 animals, that costs taxpayers 20 million.

Gochi, Don. (2019, July 7). Consequences of Stray Dogs Overpopulation in Asia. Medium. Retrieved from, https://medium.com/@adopsiorg/consequences-of-stray-dogs-overpopulation-in-asia-11e3c44d6e0c

Summary 4:
In college towns, unwanted animals are common due to inexperienced owners who don’t understand the amount of time that goes in to raising a pet. Some shelters do not allow college students to adopt pets. Kay Stout says, “They were wonderful (pet) owners in September, October, November,” she said. “Then we have them all back in May and June.” The problem of stray animals is common because people don’t understand why they should spay or neuter their pets. Another reason people give up their pets is because they give their pets up when they can’t handle their needs. For college students, they don’t think about the time and care that goes into taking care of a pet.

Harkins, Paighten. (2012, May 3). Mass Breeding, Careless Owners to Blame for Stray Pet Overpopulation. OUDaily. Retrieved from, https://www.oudaily.com/news/mass-breeding-careless-owners-to-blame-for-stray-pet-overpopulation/article_b27d7513-5beb-5aa4-ba03-9caa9c3d3e6c.html

Summary 5:
Pet overpopulation has not only been a concern for communities but for wildlife as well/ Because stray animals aren’t vaccinated, they can pollute an environment and spread diseases. Parasites can also be passed along through feces which threatens wildlife when the feces contaminate food and water. Every year there are a growing number of wild animals killed by stray cats and dogs. Because stray animals have to survive on their own, they end up killing birds and small mammals, while dogs can kill larger animals like goats and sheep. Oahu in Hawaii has about 300,000 feral cats. Their fecal matter poses a threat to animals and humans by spreading toxoplasmosis. With about 25 million stray dogs in India, diseases such as rabies and parvovirus are a threat to animals and humans. To reduce the amount of breeding and overpopulation, there are “Trap-Neuter-Return” programs where animals are sterilized, then returned to the streets.

Pittman, Arianna. (2016). How Stray Cats and Dogs Are Harming Native Wildlife and What You Can Do About It. One Green Planet. Retrieved from, https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/stray-dogs-and-cats-harming-wildlife/

Summary 6:
A feral cat is one that is born in the wild, while a stray cat was born into a home and either abandoned or lost by their owner. Feral cats live short lives due to disease such as toxoplasmosis and cat scratch fever, fighting, or traffic. A method of dealing with feral cats is the TNR method (Trap, neuter, return), which involved trapping cats and vaccinating them, while managing them in a colony, however, cats continue to hunt birds and other animals who may be a protected species. The Endangered Species Act makes it illegal for people to take in an endangered species and will be found liable for taking them. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects the claims but there is legal action against colony managers. The number of feral cats depends on their food supply and governments reduce feral cat colonies by sealing garbage containers. Most feral cat colonies exist around dumpsters.

LaCroix, Anthony. (2006). Overview of Feral Cat Population Control. Animal Law. Retrieved from, https://www.animallaw.info/article/overview-feral-cat-population-control

Summary 7:
Stray dogs have become more prevalent due to the development of larger cities in America. Stray dogs are becoming a problem in American Indian Reservations in North/South Dakota. Detroit is known for dog fighting and 50,000 dogs roam around the city in packs. Since hurricane Katrina, there are now 120,000 strays in New Orleans. Stray dogs harm the city environment and human’s health. They cause noise pollution, feces garbage, and traffic accidents. With Michigan being ranged the 23rd for dog fighting, there are thousands of strays who roman the streets at night. Stray dogs are a threat to human health and lives, because they transfer rabies. The biggest cause of stray dogs is because of abandonment, such as family tragedies, moving, marriage, sickness, and physiological characteristics in the pets, financial troubles, and cannot take care of their pets. Most dogs in Detroit were abandoned due to financial reasons. To help stray dogs we need to: shelter, kill, vaccinate/neuter, rescue programs. Shelters struggle to financially provide for strays, because there are so many who need treatments. Disease can also transfer quickly to sheltered dogs, so it is not a fundamental solution. People think killing is a simple solution, but it also costs money, but it puts humans including children at a health risk. Shooting is also an idea, but it’s not easy to do and it’s inhumane. Vaccination and neutering are helpful, but it is not possible due to lack of money. Animal welfare acts in Michigan want to pass a bill that requires adopted pets to be sterilized to increase strays. A five-year plan is a series of policies that deal with strays in cities. The plan includes to: formulate animal rights laws to establish monitoring of strays, provide immunity/vaccination/neutering, services to strays, government has to provide financial/political support for strays, government has to enhance communication with non-governmental organizations, and finally government has to develop measures to deal with strays such as distribution, monitoring, controlling, and enhance advertisement to pet owners.

Lyu, Peijin. (2015). Proposal on Solutions to Stray Dog Problem in American Cities. Journal of Political Sciences & Public Affairs. Vol. 3. Retrieved from, https://www.longdom.org/open-access/proposal-on-solutions-to-stray-dog-problem-in-american-cities-2332-0761-1000175.pdf

Summary 8:
Pets can become homeless by wandering off from their owners, such as being afraid of storms/fireworks. Pets can be scared by loud noises, leading them to get out of their home and not finding their way back. Pet sitters can cause pets to run away, due to the pet being lonely as to why the sitter isn’t caring for them properly or being left alone for a long period of time. When the pet’s owner passes away, the pet can leave and become a stray animal. When a female dog becomes pregnant, the pet owner may not be responsibility of taking care of puppies or kittens so they may abandon their pet. Stray animals can harm humans by spreading disease, biting, or leaving feces near water sources. Stray animals can also cause harm to themselves by getting in fights with other stray animals, wildlife, or getting in traffic accidents. Responsible pet owner should keep their pets in a controlled environment, like a yard or inside their home. It’s also important for pets to be neutered or spayed, because if they do leave their home, they will not produce more strays. Pet owners should put collars on their pets and have them microchipped so if they are lost, the shelter or organization will be able to return the pets to their owners. If someone finds a stray pet, it’s important that they stay calm as to not frighten the animal. People should also check for tags or microchips and if the animal seems dangerous, they should call an animal control service. The stray dog population is larger than the amount of people looking to adopt a pet.

Pete, Tonya. (2020, September 24). Responsible Pet Ownership: The Solution to Stray Animals. Examiner-Enterprise. Retrieved from, https://www.examiner-enterprise.com/story/lifestyle/2020/09/01/responsible-pet-ownership-solution-stray-animals/5685832002/

Summary 9:
Stray dogs and rabies are linked to low-income countries with large stray dog populations. The Dog Population Management wants to improve the health of stray dogs, reduce the problems it causes, and reduce the stray dog population in size. The DPM wants to control the rabies spread by promoting responsible dog ownership and better vet care. Sterilization could reduce the population, but it’s important to understand the local dog population and the community to see how DPM should contribute to be successful. Surgical sterilization is a frequently used and has reduced the population size, but they are not government funded. Costs and time are barriers, and more tools are needed to be effective in the control of rabies. The three factors that limit the practice of eliminating rabies are lack of data collection, improved understanding of costs to be effective, and a sterilant for female dogs could increase possibilities for DPM to improve rabies control.

Taylor, L., Wallace, R., Balaram, D., Lindenmayer, J., Eckery, D., Watkiss-Mutonono, B. (2017, July 10). The Role of Dog Population Management in Rabies Elimination—A Review of Current Approaches and Future Opportunities. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. Vol. 4. Retrieved from, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2017.00109/full

Summary 10:
Shanghai implemented a policy of one dog per family in order to control the animal population and reduce rabies. Rabies takes 55,000 lives per year with a much smaller number in the United States. However, that received backlash due to owners not wanting to give up their other pets. Adoption programs reduce the number of stray animals. Websites such as, PetFinder.com offer the opportunity to adopt pets. PETA released an ad campaign that blames pet owners for purchasing dogs, meaning that shelter dogs are going to be killed. Animal Rights Organizations try to focus their campaigns on spay and neuter programs. In Taylorsville, Kentucky, the town is overrun by stray cats but have been focusing on transporting the cats to spay and neuter them to reduce the stray cat population. Other organizations, such as 600million.org propose sterilization to cut down on the animal population and reduce abuse and killing of animals. Many countries don’t have laws against animal cruelty, and some are poisoned, hanged, throat slit, beaten, electrocuted, and shot.

Zelman, Joanna. (2017, December 6). Animal Overpopulation: What’s the Solution to 600 Million Stray Dogs? HuffPost. Retrieved from, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/animal-overpopulation-sterilization-adoption_n_863322

General Topic Area
• Stray Dogs and Cats in the United States
Refined General Topic Area
• Stray Animals
Specific Description of Topic Area
• Stray cats and dogs in the United States have become a problem because they cause diseases, traffic accidents, and harm wildlife. Stray cats and dogs are becoming a major problem due to owners neglecting their animals and stray animals breeding with one another to produce more animals.
Specific Problem in the Topic to Solve
• How can I help stray animals in the United States to reduce the number of strays?
Combined Topic and Problem
• Stray cats and dogs have become a major problem in the United States because they are rapidly breeding, cause diseases, traffic accidents, and harm to wildlife. How can I help stray cats and dogs in the U.S. to reduce the numbers of stray animals?
How Design can Solve the Problem
• Stray cats and dogs have become a major problem in the United States because they are rapidly breeding, cause diseases, traffic accidents, and harm to wildlife. I want to use UX design to reduce the number of strays by creating an app that allows people to take photos of stray animals and having a shelter or rescue take in the stray, locate lost or missing pets, successfully take in stray cats and dogs who are harmed, and collect feral cats and dogs to use the TRP (Trap-Neuter-Return) method.

I am researching stray animals in the United States because I want to find out how to help them and decrease the number of stray animals and use UX design in order to solve the stray animal population.

 

 

Article: No ‘Easy Answer’ To Growing Number Of Stray Dogs In The U.S., Advocate Says

Notes: 

• People believe homeless dogs are damaged goods
• More than 200 million stray dogs worldwide 
• 3.3 million dogs enter US animal shelters every year
• Supply of stray dogs outweighs the demand
• 1 million stray dogs in Texas
• No-Kill movement is the cause of the population growth 
• Animal euthanization that decreased from 20 million to 3 million per year 
• 14,000 animal shelters and rescue groups in the US take in 8 million animals per year
• Stray dogs who travel in packs cause traffic accidents, attack residents, and spread diseases
• Nearly 55,000 people die from rabies worldwide every year, 2 deaths in the US
• 1.6 million dogs in the US are adopted from shelters every year, 34% of dogs come from breeders

Keywords and Comments: 

• Rescues, Animal Shelters, Stray Dogs, Homeless Dogs
• Growing up, I never believed stray dogs were damaged goods. It’s sad that people believe that, but I’ve seen videos of people picking up stray pets, bring them home or to the vet and turning them into a house pet. In a rescue I volunteer for, a group of dogs were taken out of a breeding mill in Texas. It seems Texas is a breeding ground for puppy mills.

Summary: There are more than 200 million stray dogs worldwide, as No-Kill movements have greatly impacted the cause of population growth. There are about 3.3 million strays who enter US animal shelters every year, with the supply of strays outweighing the demand. Because of the No-Kill movement in the US, animal euthanizations have decreased from 20 million strays to 3 million strays per year. There are 14,000 animal shelters and rescue groups in the United States who take in 8 million animals per year. The problem with stray animals who roam the streets in packs tends to cause traffic accidents, attack residents, and spread diseases. 

Raphelson, Samantha. (2017, December 29). No ‘Easy Answer’ To Growing Number Of Stray Dogs In The U.S., Advocate Says. NPR. Retrieved from, https://www.npr.org/2017/12/29/574598877/no-easy-answer-to-growing-number-of-stray-dogs-in-the-u-s-advocate-says

 

Article: Why Euthanasia Rates at Animal Shelters has Plummeted

Notes:

• Pet euthanasia rates have dropped in large cities, falling from 75% in 2009
• Many shelters do not track euthanization records or make historical information available online, due to death threats and criticism
• Most animal shelters are open-admission and take in any animal regardless of health or behavior
• Shelters and rescue groups take in animals that appear adoptable
• Mid-19th Century New York drowned stray dogs that were not claimed, but today many shelters euthanize through injections
• 1970s, 25% of nation’s dogs were out on the streets and 13.5 million were euthanized in shelters per year
• Since then, activists have fought to reduce the number of euthanized animals to less than 2 million shelter animals per year
• Shelters began only euthanizing animals that are most ill and aggressive 
• Challenges between euthanizing as little animals as possible but making sure shelters are not overcrowded and at risk of spreading diseases

Keywords and Comments: Dallas, Euthanization, Shelters, Injections

• I wasn’t surprised to read that euthanasia rates have dropped, because no-kill movements are rapidly growing. However, I understand why shelters would euthanize pets if they found they wouldn’t be able to adopt them out due to medical issues. I also found it horrible that in the old days, animals would be subjected to torture and be killed, rather than euthanizing them through a much more painless process.

Summary: Since 2009, euthanization rates have dropped about 75% in larger cities. Because shelters do not track euthanization records or publicize information online, it is hard for owners to locate their animals.In the mid-19th century of New York, stray animals who weren’t claimed would be drowned, but today animals are euthanized through injections. Because No-Kill movements are more common, shelters have decreased euthanization records from 13.5 million to less than 2 million per year. Shelters are still euthanizing animals, but only those who are ill and aggressive.

Parlapiano, Alicia. (2019, September 3). Why Euthanasia Rates at Animal Shelters has Plummeted. NY Times. Retrieved from, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/03/upshot/why-euthanasia-rates-at-animal-shelters-have-plummeted.html

 

Article: Characteristics, Challenges of the Shelter Environment

Notes:

• Overcrowding
• Introduction to new animals that shelter staff may not have training for
• Open admission, shelters must accept all dogs regardless of disease or personality
• Healthcare issues for veterinarians with limited resources
• Mandatory holding periods
• Inadequate staff and training materials
• Poorly designed facilities
• Each shelter has different training methods, missions and goals, management policies, and budgets

Keywords and Comments: Animal Shelters, Veterinarians, Methods, Training, Challenges

• I found it surprising that most shelters are open admission and accept pets regardless of disease. I assume they would isolate that pet in order to prevent disease from spreading.

Summary: Animal shelters provide animals a safe place to stay until they are adopted out. The problems with animal shelters develop when they become overcrowded due to overpopulation of strays. Shelters may also not have the training for new animals who may be aggressive or have a disease. Shelters are open to all admission, which creates a problem for other animals when disease or personality takes effect. Another problem arises when staff members do not have the right training methods to care for the animals, as well as poorly designed facilities which cause stress upon animals and staff.

(2020, April 28). Characteristics, Challenges of the Shelter Environment. ASPCApro. Retrieved from, https://www.aspcapro.org/characteristics-challenges-shelter-environment

 

Article: Time to Rescue the Rescue Dog Industry?

Notes:

• Rescue dogs are adopted from nonprofit organizations with their mission being to rescue dogs from breeders, kill shelters, and inhumane situations, rely on donations and fundraising
• According to Humane Society, there are more than 10,000 animal rescue groups in North America and 3,500 shelters that work with animal rescue groups
• Decline in adoptable dogs has decreased and led by rescue groups to turn to the two remaining government-regulated dog auction houses in the United States to purchase animals
• Some rescue groups try to outbid one another to build supply of dogs, relabeled as a rescue, and sold to the consumer for a profit, making the owner believe they adopted a rescue and not knowing where the dog came from
• In the past decade, rescue groups have spent nearly 2.7 million by purchasing thousands of dogs at auctions and driving a market for breeders
• The average price paid per dog is $465, but rescues may have spent thousands for a single dog

Keywords and Comments: Animal Welfare Act, Dog Auction Houses, Dogs

• Many rescue dogs come from breeders, such as those in Dallas. My foster rescue recently took in many dogs who were part of breeding mills. I was surprised to learn that some rescues buy dogs from breeders, because puppies from puppy mills cost so much and rescues sell their dogs for very little.

Summary: Rescue dogs are adopted from non-profit organizations with their mission being to rescue dogs from breeders, kill shelters, and inhumane conditions. However, rescues rely on donations and fundraising to run their rescue. There are 10,000 animal rescue groups in North America and 3,500 shelters that work with rescue groups. The two auction houses are regulated by Missouri Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture, however there are not enough inspectors to ensure laws of the Animal Welfare Act. Rescues are constantly trying to outbid one another to build their supply of dogs. Rescues then reliable their dog as a rescue, then sell them to an adopter who believes they did the right thing by adopting a dog. 

Kaufman, Aaron. (2020, February 23). Time to Rescue the Rescue Dog Industry? The Regulatory Review. Retrieved from, https://www.theregreview.org/2021/02/23/kaufman-time-rescue-rescue-dog-industry/

 

Article: Why Breeding Dogs is a Problem, Even if the Breeder is ‘Reputable’

Notes: 

• Around 20% of people in the US adopt their dogs from shelters, while 74% of dogs come from breeders
• People think adopting a dog from a breeder will make their dog superior, but purchasing dogs from breeders is irresponsible and harmful to their reputation
• Consumers believe a purebred dog will be friendly and have reduced health problems, but it is individual per dog
• American Kennel Club’s certificate inspection allows customers to know their animal is purebred and doesn’t come from an inhumane puppy mill
• Animals from puppy mills have health problems due to reckless breeding, ie. a woman purchased a puppy from a mill and the breeder was AKC certified, but the puppy suffered abnormalities. Later all of the dogs were removed from the facility
• While many shelters are overcrowded, producing more dogs to meet the demand of people willing to pay thousands of dollars is irresponsible while many dogs, 25% of shelter dogs being purebred, are in shelters. 

Keywords and Comments: Breeders, Puppy Mill, Purebred, American Kennel Club, Abnormalities

• The percentage of how many dogs come from breeders was a surprise to me, because I assumed most dogs would come from the streets. I never thought that people would look at a purebred as being superior to mixes. 

Summary: Purchasing a dog from a breeder is irresponsible, because breeders, whether AKC certified, may practice poor conditions when it comes to breeding animals. Consumers believe purchasing a dog from a breeder will have reduced health problems and a friendly dog, even though it is individual per animal. Animals can be AKC certified, but the breeder may still have poor practices. A woman purchased a puppy from a breeder who was AKC certified, but the puppy suffered abnormalities due to the breeder’s poor practices. It is more responsible to purchase dogs from a shelter, because 25% of shelter dogs are purebred.

Henn, Corrine. (2020, August 24). Why Breeding Dogs is a Problem, Even if the Breeder is ‘Reputable’. One Green Planet. Retrieved from, https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/why-breeding-dogs-is-a-problem-even-if-the-breeder-is-reputable/

 

Article: Shining a Light on Shelter Myths

Notes: 

• The major reasons dogs end up in shelters is because they were seized in criminal cases, or were too aggressive to own safely. More than half of all dogs and cats in shelters are strays. Animal’s history is not as important as their behavior and medical status. Just because an animal is a stray, does not mean they are aggressive
• Shelter animals are not as clean as pet store animals.Puppies from mills can have epilepsy, heart disease, kidney disease and respiratory disease and lack socialization
• Older cats and dogs will not bond with new owners. Age doesn’t determine an animal’s affection toward humans or other animals.
• A shelter animal should never be given as a gift. 96% of people who received animals as gifts reported it either increased or had no impact on their relationship with the pet. 86% of the pets given as gifts in the study are still with their owners. 
• Adopting large or strong dogs is bad if you have children. No evidence that large or small dogs are a threat to children. A dog’s behavior is based on socialization, training, environment and treatment by owners.
• Getting animals from breeders is safer because the breeder knows the animal’s history and bloodline. Breeding purebred dogs may have genetic disorders and medical issues. Shelters work with dogs and families interested in adopting to find a safe match

Keywords and Comments: Shelters, Adoption, Breeders, Myths, Older Animals

• I believe older animals are more relaxed and calm. Dogs that end up in shelters are usually worked with so the new owner won’t have to worry about medical issues. Shelters also allow owners to bring in their own pets to socialize with other animals to make sure their pet will get along with the new pet. I’ve always thought pets should not be given as gifts, because the buyer doesn’t understand how or where to get a safe and healthy dog.

Summary: There are many myths and beliefs that shelter animals are  too violent to be pets. All animals who end up in shelters are different. Shelter animals are taken care of by staff who train and work with the animals to become good pets. Puppies from puppy mills tend to lack socialization and inherit genetic diseases due to poor breeding from the owner. While a pet can make a great gift, it’s important to know how and where to adopt an animal. 

Bershadker, Matt. (2014, August 15). Shining a Light on Shelter Myths. ASPCA. Retrieved from, https://www.aspca.org/blog/shining-light-shelter-myths

 

Article: Although Purebred Dogs can be the Best in Show, Are They the Worst in Health?

Notes:

• About 4,000 years, people have been breeding dogs for certain traits, like hunting and temperament 
• Breeders often use Line Breeding, which is breeding direct relatives and inherits Sire Syndrome
• 1850s, Bulldogs looked more like Pit Bulls but by the 29th century when dog shows became popular, Bull Dogs inherited a flattened muzzle, making it impossible for them to reproduce without assistance, called Artificial Insemination
• AKC has breeding standards but little control over breeding process. If there is no change by the buyer, the breeder will not change their breeding process

Keywords and Comments: Sire Syndrome, Breeding, Artificial Insemination, AKC, Health Issues

• It’s hard for the AKC to control breeders, because breeders are the ones using poor breeding processes. Because buyer’s just want a cute dog, the breeder will not change their poor process, leading to animals still suffering genetic diseases.

Maldarelli, Claire. (2014, February 21). Although Purebred Dogs can be the Best in Show, Are They the Worst in Health? Scientific American. Retrieved from, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/although-purebred-dogs-can-be-best-in-show-are-they-worst-in-health/

 

Article: Adopting Instead of Buying a Pet

Notes:

• 3-4 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year in the US, because many do not neuter or spay their pets, don’t adopt new pets, and give up on their pets
• Adopting a pet from a shelter saves lives from euthanizing pets in shelters for too long and brings in new pets off the streets
• Adopting is less expensive than buying
• Shelters have pure breeds and mixes, but mixes are more likely to be healthier than purebreds
• Most shelters examine pets, spay and neuter them for their new home, which decreases the cost of buying a pet from a breeder where the owner will have the pay for vet exams themselves
• Buying a pet costs $1000+ while adopting a pet can cost $50-300 in a shelter or rescue
• By not purchasing a pet from a farm, owners are choosing not to support puppy mills who sell to consumers in pet stores, over the internet, and through ads

Keywords and Comments: Euthanization, Spay/Neuter, Adopt, Puppy Mills, Shelters

• By adopting a pet from a shelter, adopters will be able to choose a pet from any age. I didn’t think that there are problems with pure breeds and mixed pets, but I suppose many owners give up their purebred pets due to health issues. My foster dog was adopted by me for $300, while my mom’s dog from a breeder was adopted for $1800.

Summary: Many pets are euthanized each year due to lack of spaying and neutering pets, many don’t adopt, and people give up on their new pets. If people chose to adopt, rather than shop, more strays would be taken into shelters and have a chance to be given a new home. While shelters have both purebreds and mixed animals, purebreds in shelters are more likely to have medical issues from their breeder. Buying a pet from a breeder can cost thousands, but adopting a pet from a shelter will only cost a couple hundred and the owner will save on vet exams.

(2020, March 13). Adopting Instead of Buying a Pet. Pet Care Hospital. Retrieved from, https://petcarehospital.net/blog/adopting-instead-of-buying-a-pet

 

Article: How Holland Became Free of Stray Dogs

Notes:

• 1800- Almost all households owned dogs reducing the number of strays, the rich owned Pedigree dogs for sporting or pets and the poorer owned Mongrels used for protection and work
• 19th Century- Few official arrangements for dog keeping, more strays roamed the streets, causing an outbreak of rabies
• Dutch Municipalities raised dog taxes to reduce reproducing, many were unwilling or did not have enough to pay so they let their dogs go
• 1864- First agency for animal protection was established in The Hague 
• 1886- Animal abuse was penalized, but were still used as draught animals
• 1962- Abolishment of draught animals, animal protection act was introduced and by the 20th century animal health and welfare law was passed
• 1800s people viewed dogs as slaves, but now people view dogs as pets/friends
• Dutch culture relates to feminine culture of caring, collectiveness, and separation of work and private life are valued
• 1960s- Birth control was more common in and led to smaller families which may have played a part in thinking dogs were like children and viewed as family
• Various foundations and organizations helped reduce the amount of stray dogs through educating, shelters, and protecting animals’ rights
• 1990- World Health Organization releases a report for effective methods to reduce strays: Sterilization, Education, and Registration

Keywords and Comments: Netherlands, Strays, CNVR, Carrying Capacity, Dutch, Sterilization, Dutch Culture

• The CNVR (Collect, neuter, vaccinate and return) method is widely common in the US. Because the Netherlands is a small country, it makes sense why there would be less strays roaming the streets. The method is used here in the US, but with the high amount of poverty, it can be hard for people to help strays into shelters. Many shelters in the US are full and cannot take in animals. 

Summary: In the 1800s almost all households owned dogs, either for working or for sporting.By the 19th century, few official arrangements for dog keeping were at stake, leading to more dogs roaming the streets. As more strays became common, there was a rabies outbreak.The Dutch raised dog taxes to reduce the number of strays repopulating, but many were unwilling to pay so they had to let their dogs go. Agencies for animal protection were established in The Hague, leading to animal abuse being penalized, but still being used as working animals. When draught animals were penalized, viewing dogs as slaves was changed to viewing dogs as family and children. The Dutch Culture is fememine, leading them to be more caring for others, and being a top country with a small number of stray dogs.

Sternheim, Isabelle. (2012 March). How Holland Became Free of Stray Dogs. Dog Search. Pg 2-9. 

 

Article: How Can We Help Homeless Animals?

Notes: 

• Help stray animals to prevent spread of diseases such as Rabies, most fatal to humans
• Most effective methods to spread awareness in communities, such as awareness of spaying and neutering pets, adopting instead of shopping, donating time and skills to local centers through volunteering. Design ads to attract people to adopt from local shelters
• Helping strays should be done with caution by calling animal control as strays can be easily scared and become aggressive when cornered 
• Become a sponsor by donating money 
• Volunteering in local animal shelters
• Donating to help homeless pets

Keywords and Comments: Awareness, Adopting, Donating, Sponsor, Volunteering

• The problem with awareness is that people can only do so much and it depends on the area and the area’s poverty. There aren’t strays in my area, because poverty isn’t too high. I know Texas has the most amount of strays, but there is also larger amounts of poverty especially in more rural areas. 

Summary: Helping stray animals can prevent the spread of diseases such as Rabies which are very fatal for humans and animals. The most effective method to help strays is to spread awareness in communities by advertising the importance of spaying and neutering pets, adopting not shopping, and donating your time and skills to local animal shelters. Design can also play a part of helping strays by creating effective ads. When one helps a stray, that should be done with caution and the best method would be to call animal control. Becoming a sponsor and donating money to a local animal shelter helps the shelter get more strays off the streets.

Castaneda, Juliana. (2019, November 19). How Can We Help Homeless Animals? Juliana’s Animal Sanctuary. Retrieved from, https://julianasanimalsanctuary.org/5-ways-how-to-help-stray-animals/

Hello,

This is my first post for Design Thesis Research.