Dog Shortages - Can it Be?

Day after day we are bombarded with the pet "overpopulation" crisis. We even have designated October as 'adopt a shelter animal' month and there are other monthly and day long designations to honor dogs and cats. Many say the answer to the pet overpopulation is spay/neuter while others say it's eliminating breeding. Having observed for several years not only statistics but responses and political maneuvering that is more about power than dogs I have another thought. We're facing a dog shortage.

People point to the (insert varying million statistic here) dogs killed every year as proof there aren't homes. There are many things that the statistics don't tell. For example, many shelters such as Jasper Alabama kill anything that "looks like a pitbull" - so those dogs have zero chance of finding homes anyway! This has also included purebred Rottweilers and Boxers and other dogs that had no pitbull in them. Detroit famously said on "Animal Cops" they, too, kill all pitbulls - even puppies.

Additionally those in charge of shelters and 'rescues' often dictate terms to have a dog and if it's an imperfect (but solid) home that doesn't meet the terms they are denied having a dog - and the dog euthanized! This points to they aren't unwanted dogs!

For millions of homes in the USA the consideration to add a pet starts with shelter or rescue, while others prefer buying from a breeder. There are also many who haven't yet decided where they're getting a dog but if they decided to go to a shelter then, statistically, there aren't enough dogs in shelters to fill the homes. There are people who give their dogs up when moving, another factor criticized.

In all this there's another WIDE open desperate need that many of these dogs could fill. They'd have permanent homes, they'd be well cared for and they'd have all the time interaction with their owners. The fact is there is a 2-3 year wait for these dogs! There are not enough dogs and people to train them to fill demand. These are also homes that go beyond pet clauses. Service dogs cannot be denied access by law.

The fact is for many of the dogs in shelters and rescue they are denied homes and not even tested for this option. These are not just seeing eye dogs. They can be hearing dogs (meaning little dogs can serve too!) or seizure alert or dogs that calm anxiety and PTSD patients. The need is extreme not only among the injured military in veteran's hospitals where a dog could literally change their lives but also among civilians who need a dog to be able to carry on.

When these homes are considered even if every dog was a candidate we don't have enough dogs to fill the need. Perhaps every dog is not suitable but for the thousands that are this is a way to get dogs into homes they are treasured. These are special dogs that often naturally have an awareness that detects seizures before they happen or calmly support their owner.

Millions of people have disabilities and, like other dogs, service dogs don't live forever. There are very few dedicated to getting dogs and most dogs come from breeders - who are targeted in legislation and harassment for breeding when there is "no reason" to breed.

I, personally, find it impossible to believe that of all the dogs euthanized as unwanted that none would pass training - especially when backed with the idea that all dogs are valued. I am not alone in this thought.

According to SainFrancisDogs.org there is a prison pup program where inmates live with and train the pups as service dogs. There is also a need for field trainers to teach basic tasks. Myservicedog.com also mentions needing dogs and trainers in Houston Texas.

Service dogs may be of several types from assisting with disabilities, guide dogs, hearing dogs, psychiatric service dogs and medical alert and response dogs. The International Association of Assistance Dog Partners tests for temperament including noise and body sensitivity and willingness to bring an object back.

An expert with selecting service dogs, Joan Froling, commented an adult dog 18 months to 3 years can start training immediately. Those growing could begin basic obedience training and this is a case those "big black dogs" that "no one wants" could come into their own!

Hip dysplasia must be weeded out - and unfortunately of over 600 dogs picked for aptitude from shelters 1/3 didn't pass the x-ray test, dispelling the myth that crossbred dogs don't get diseases that purebreds do. Thyroid, eyes heart, skin diseases and parasites must also be checked for. This is a case a healthy dog is needed. Spay/neuter is often recommended for working dogs so that is not an issue for those demanding the dog must be neutered from a shelter/rescue.

These aren't the only problems for service dogs from shelters. A 1997 poll showed a small percentage passed evaluation on the spot. Other issues that can cause failure is aggression - to people, cats, dogs, food or territory. This may be as simple as a high prey drive but is something that disqualifies the dog for work as a service dog.

However another level of jobs is also needed for many high drive dogs - work as detection and search dogs. This is another serious job that takes training that can be - and has been! - filled from dogs from shelters.

There are also programs such as discoverydogs.org that help those in the Bay area train their own assistance dogs. Additionally a group called Therapy Dogs On Call in Montgomery Alabama is working with a veteran's advocate and the Montgomery shelter to get dogs into the hands of veterans who need dogs to train the dogs. These dogs may serve from physically helping to assisting with PTSD and other issues.

Dogs that are calm and not bothered by chaos around them may be ideal candidates.

Be it dogs from shelters, from rescue or from breeders the need for dogs is increasing daily. If one qualified dog dies while someone is waiting for a dog it's unacceptable. Be it breeding for service dogs or finding them the need is there. There are also many people not serious enough for diagnosis that a dog would help that many of those 'borderline' dogs may fit.

Throwing out dogs that people need is not a solution. Deeming a dog "unwanted" without testing is as irresponsible as those who abandoned the dog rather than train not to get on the sofa. It doesn't make sense.

The need for working dogs is greater than ever. The need for volunteers to train them is greater than ever. Whatever source they come from they are needed. Anti-breeding and 'spay everything' laws eliminate breeding for this too.

There has to be a better solution - for dogs and for people.