PETA Kills

[knightofalbion]

A lot of controversy over this in recent times. It has always troubled me, so I did a bit of digging to get the other side.
Worth reading.

http://features.peta.org/petasaves

http://www.whypetaeuthanizes.com/the...-winograd.html

[LPC]

Hmmm, well I generally approve of PETA and they do a lot of good work to protect animals. I agree with the vast majority of things they say and write.

However, I do have a few reservations. Some of their campaigns are "over the top" and occasionally people who would otherwise have been supportive get turned off.

Regarding their extremely high euthanisation rates, I agree that they take in animals which might be rejected by other shelters because they are sick or aggressive. But those euthansation rates are still way too high: 82% in 2012. A balanced view on this issue can be read here: http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/gro...uthanasia-rate

PETA is a very large organisation with a massive publicity budget (see http://www.peta.org/about-peta/learn...nancial-report) . If even a modest percentage of this budget were spent instead on saving unadoptable animals, their overall message would seem more sincere.

[knightofalbion]

My point is that these issues are seldom black and white.

The core problem, as PETA pointed out, is that there are just too many dogs being bred.

A footnote on Alan Kalter: Pretty scathing in his condemnation, maybe I've read it wrong, but here the same person appears to be championing getting a new bred dog from a breeder rather than adopting from a shelter!
Then he complains dogs are being put to sleep instead of being adopted. Can't have it both ways.
He also seems to have an anti AR agenda.
http://www.leonbergerclubofamerica.c...ng-the-future/

[knightofalbion]

PS: I didn't post in support of euthanasia, just to shed light on what is a complex issue.

[LPC]

Yes, I totally understand what you mean and I agree. It is hardly surprising that Alan Kelter is in favour of people buying a purebred puppy, rather than a rescue, as he is chairman of the American Kennel Club!

PETA does a great deal of good work, but the issue of extremely high euthanisation rates (such as 82%) does nevertheless need attention.

[knightofalbion]

Having done more research:

Every year in the US (non-PETA) animal shelters euthanize 2.7 million HEALTHY cats and dogs because they are unwanted/cannot be found homes for.
When sick, injured and aggressive/behavioural problems dogs and cats are factored in that figure could be anywhere up to 4 million.

Puts PETA's 2200 into perspective. Bear in mind, this figure is made up of sick and injured animals, and pets that owners have brought in to avail themselves of PETA's free euthanasia service for residents in their local area (Hampton Roads - 1.6 million population) which is why only 7 owners are listed on the yearly record as 'reclaiming their pet'.

I don't expect PETA are whiter than white. No doubt they have 1 or 2 hot-heads, what organisation doesn't? but they certainly don't represent the vast majority of PETA staff in the US, UK, Germany, Australia etc.

PETA may be unorthodox but they are hurting those who have made an industry - and a fortune - out of abusing animals. The same people who are trying so hard to smear PETA and put them out of business.
Don't believe the hate!

[Tobi]

However, the reality behind most "Shelters" is harrowing. Animals who could be save-able, if some money could be spent on them, are routinely euthanised. And the numbers make an animal holocaust, going on weekly. In many shelters, animals are put on the 'death row' list simply because they have a skin condition, are food-aggressive (which many quite decent dogs actually are! They are not angels! They are dogs!) -or have 'the sniffles'....or don't like children....
And there are so many hundreds of them....coming in daily. Strays, abandoned, surrendered dogs and cats.

The kill-statistics for shelters almost everywhere are chilling to read. However "Animal Rescues" are a different matter, and so are "No-kill shelters". I don't know if PETA have been operating "no-kill shelters" or what. If that isn't stated, then they are no better or worse than shelters all over the world. But if they have then they have committed a real crime there.

The rest of the info. was too much for me to take right now. I shall re-read tomorrow with a fresh mind, and might be able to get my head around it all.

Thank you for posting this, dear Knight.

[LPC]

Noble Knight, as always you have raised some important points. I support most of what PETA does, but I still think that some of the massive budget currently spent on publicity stunts could be spent on saving some of the animals in their shelters. There is an excellent, balanced article on the issue in the Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...n-shelter.html

I have some sympathy with the following quote from that article:

"In response to the post, supporters of the charity were torn on the issue but many said a charity in its position on issues such as medical testing, the fur trade and as advocates for veganism should never allow the killing of healthy animals over a lack of suitable home.

'In my book, the only time it's acceptable to kill animals is the same as the only time it's acceptable to kill people: when their illness is painful and terminal.'

'Anything else is a speciesist double standard. As soon as I hear of a campaign to kill homeless people because it's 'more humane' then I might consider it an acceptable option for homeless animals too,' said one post."

[knightofalbion]

'Know your enemy' - and your friend

The face behind Peta Kills

http://www.bermanexposed.org

[knightofalbion]

No Kill is a scam. And it's totally unrealistic.

If Winograd's philosophy was gospel in ten years time there would be 27 million unwanted healthy cats and dogs. Plus 13 million sick and injured cats and dogs, and those who cannot be re-homed because they have behavioural problems/are aggressive i.e. they might attack someone
That's 40 million total. (This figure would include 8 million Pit Bulls!)

Sounds good on paper, but this is how it can end up ...
http://delawarecapa.blogspot.com/201...-shelters.html

Ending the over-breeding/over-supply of cats and dogs is the only answer.