Veterinary Medicine - October 2007 - (Page 657)

property rights. In 1874, the Women’s Branch of the Pennsylvania SPCA in Philadelphia became the first organization to focus on the humane treatment of shelter animals.1 Until the late 1970s, the veterinary community had little input into the management policies of shelters. Instead of focusing on providing humane veterinary care and treatment to the animals, the energies of many shelters revolved around providing a humane death for the many animals that were not reclaimed or adopted. The euthanasia methods used included clubbing, drowning, electrocution, decompression chambers, and carbon monoxide poisoning, all of which have been considered either quick or humane at various points in time.1 In the late 1970s, enough concern about the quality of life offered to shelter animals was raised that veterinary input was sought to provide effective programs of preventive care and treatment. In 1989, Current Veterinary Therapy X published one of the first articles in a veterinary publication regarding the care of shelter animals.2 animal shelters, the guidelines for animal care may be rudimentary at best. Number of animals Many estimates have been made regarding the U.S. dog and cat population,3 but it is not clear how many animals enter shelters or are euthanized annually. The National Council for Pet Population Study and Policy, a coalition of several animal welfare, veterinary, and animal advocacy groups, was formed in 1993 to gather and analyze data on pet relinquishment. Its studies may be found on the Web site www.petpopulation.org, including commentary on the difficulties encountered in gathering accurate data from shelters. However, it is commonly thought that the number one cause of death of dogs and cats in the United States is euthanasia in an animal shelter. Types of shelters There are several models for animal sheltering and rescue organizations. Some communities have numerous organizations while others have none. For example, the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, which was formed in 2002 to end the euthanasia of adoptable animals in New York City by 2008, has over 40 member organizations involved with animal rescue. ANIMAL SHELTERS TODAY The ASPCA National Outreach department estimates that more than 5,000 animal shelters exist in the United States. However, no one knows for Until the 1970s, the veterinary community had little input into the management policies of shelters. sure since there is no federal system to define or regulate shelters. Humane societies and SPCAs are not affiliated with the national ASPCA or the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Although some states regulate Shelters may be housed in private homes, in dilapidated shacks, or in large, ultra-modern, multimilliondollar facilities. Some shelters are fully staffed by paid employees, while others are run by dedicated volun- VETERINARY MEDICINE October 2007 657 http://www.petpopulation.org http://virbacvet.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Veterinary Medicine - October 2007

Veterinary Medicine - October 2007 Contents Leading Off The Veterinary Medicine Interview: Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald Toxicology Brief Idea Exchange Animal Sheltering in the United States: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow The Euthanasia Problem Offer Basic Behavior Counseling for Every Pet at Every Visit Promote and Perform Early Spaying and Neutering Assist Owners in Selecting the Best Pets for their Lifestyles Champion Animal Welfare in Your Community CE Form Product Review Advertiser Index Marketplace/Classifieds Mind Over Miller

Veterinary Medicine - October 2007

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