editorunleashed The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council
(PIJAC) released some statistics during a trade meeting earlier this year in California, attended by pet industry leaders. Understandably, these professionals were all excited about the stats: “The power of pets is bigger than ever. The pet industry’s total effect on the American economy amounted to $221 billion in 2015, generating $23 billion in taxes for federal, state and local governments.” No doubt, the tax- man is excited about these numbers too.
“Properly trained, a man can be a dog’s best friend.” –Corey Ford
“We believe this new research, demon-
strating the progress we have made, will inspire an increasingly strong demand for and focus on efforts to ensure responsible breeding and the opportunity to meet the growing desire for dogs in our country.” Boom! Not to take away anything from what our
over-burdened municipal and private shelters are doing to try to curtail the problem, but Bob – we’re still euthanizing 776 thousand adoptable dogs in this country, every year. During an interview with VIP Rescue
Florida (page 24), we were introduced to two litters of puppies from two separate, overbred mothers. When asked if she thought there was a shortage of puppies or dogs in Florida, Terri Ensign, director of the rescue group, respond- ed, not in words, but gestures. First, a glare (directed at me), then a sweep of her hands at the puppies, and a laugh. We ended up falling in love and adopting
one of those puppies, who was named Angel by the rescue group. Angel, she is not. “Thirty-four percent of American dog owners
Anna Cooke, meeting Angel for the first time. The American Pet Products Association
presented another set of statistics during Global Pet Expo, held earlier this year in Orlando. According to an APPA survey, 84.6 million American households now own a pet, up from 79.7 million pet-owning households in 2015. Of course, the APPA report spawned another report from the Pet Leadership Council. There is a dog shortage. What? Yes, it’s true, according to the PLC - an organization comprised of pet industry leaders, animal welfare advocates, veterinarians and academia, all welcoming new research from Mississippi State University. The same university that continues to run medical and research tests on live dogs. “The findings come when demand for dogs is
increasing to new levels. The study was developed to determine how many dogs are entering shelters and what happens to them after they do.”Here is what the study found: Shelters take in 5.5 million dogs and adopt out 2.6 million of them. 969 thousand are returned to owner; 778 thousand are transferred and 776 thousand are euthanized. “When you consider that it’s estimated as
many as 20 million dogs were euthanized a year in the 1970s, it’s truly astounding to see how effective the efforts of shelters and a responsible pet industry have proven,” said an excitable Bob Vetere, PLC Chairman.
6 THE NEW BARKER
say their puppies have taught them patience.” Angel is a constant reminder of how patient we used to be. So, she still has some work to do in this department. “Seven in 10 dog owners say puppies help
their emotional intelligence.” That stat is laugh- able, because in this household, right now, emotional and intelligence are two mutually exclusive terms. “According to the findings, 70 percent of
American dog owners say their canine companions help them feel comfortable expressing their emo- tions.” With the little gifts of poop Angel leaves us around the house (we’re calling them acci- dents) I have never felt more comfortable expressing my emotions. “Puppies are a judgement-free, guilt-free zone.
No matter how big or small the problem, they’re always there to comfort and lick your problems away.” Okay, I’ll buy that one. Angel, as with any new dog, changed the
dynamics of our household. To watch the eventual acceptance of this creature by the other two older dogs was no less than amazing. We humans could take lessons. We are a family again, settling into our
routines. She has brought joy into a home that’s been profoundly sad for the past year. We are laughing again. She has enabled us to see the beauty of our surroundings. She has accepted us as her family, with our own quirks, deficiencies and all. She is an angel, albeit with a slightly crooked halo. U
www.TheNewBarker.com
Photograph by Laura Allen Studios.
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