Recently, I was at the San Jancinto Shelter pulling a dog. A small room filled with people turning in their animals with a woman at the window asking for a chihuahua. She was told to come back in a few days after it had been fixed. She responded in aghast, "What if I want to have puppies?" I was shocked then not shocked. The community is not in alignment with the state of affairs of the plight of animals (She could have just turned around to see the turn ins). Some will never be because they don't subscribe to it, just that animals are more of a prop or tool to be used for some outcome.
Which brings this back to this article. People have to believe and hold true that animal welfare is and has a function in society. And all the attributes of that standard has performance.
It's all in the culture. It's all in the messaging. And it's all in how we ensure that performance of animal welfare, including legal enforcement, is carried out.
When I was in Las Vegas a few weeks ago, the blvd was populated by electronic billboards, sponsored by lawyers, to adopt at the shelter and ads played on the radio the same.
Ms. Hassen, as she goes by now, is propagating ideals from HAAS and seemingly carrying the ideologically brainwashing of "the message." I have reviewed her court cases, articles and results and find them immature and blatantly diverting responsibility.
When I attended several CalAnimals Seminars, one class specifically focused on leaving the animals on the streets. I objected and was told that is what is wanted. Another class proposed it was racist and DEI.
Critical thinking has deflated to follow the masses.
We need leadership that is bold and the elected officials must allow for this common sense, effective, progressive strategies back in to our shelters. This is a Titanic objective to turn the ship in that direction though a steady turn will do it... if we have a captain.
Paul, thank you for sharing your experience—it really highlights the disconnect between some members of the public and the reality of the animal welfare crisis. I agree that culture and messaging play critical roles in shaping public attitudes toward animal welfare, and without clear, strong leadership, it's difficult to make meaningful progress.
The situation you describe at the shelter is a perfect example of why we need more than just awareness campaigns—we need genuine enforcement, education, and accountability. It’s disheartening to hear about the misguided strategies being pushed, but like you said, turning this ship around requires bold leadership and a clear vision. Let's hope for that steady turn and a captain who can lead the way!
I think that’s a very cultural thing to do. I have HISPANIC friends that are diehards for RESCUE and sterilizing their dogs, and I have others that have inherited the cultural point of view that animals need to propagate and they love puppies and they want puppies. No sense In arguing with them. Their primary response is well, we are finding our puppies good homes so they’ll be fine. I think many of the views we all hold from our culturel passed down from our parents and grandparents and it takes a lot to get past them.
Ed thank you for the interview as it’s important to consider all voices.
After reading, I’m reminded of what Gabor Mate talks about with respect to childhood trauma. Much of the current mental illness crisis in America’s youth can be traced to unresolved trauma. You simply cannot “release” kids into the adult world without effective treatment. The results are obvious in our current culture. Much work needs to be done before dangerous dogs can simply be adopted out—regardless of breed.
Some fascinating parallels. Some kids just aren’t fit for the broader adult population—but we obviously can’t sterilize them out of existence—the work must be done to treat and educate them if they did not get that from their parents.
Dee, thank you for your thoughtful note and for making the fascinating connection between childhood trauma and the challenges we face with dangerous dogs. Gabor Mate's insights are indeed powerful, and I agree that unresolved trauma plays a huge role in many of society’s current issues. You're absolutely right—just as we can't simply "release" kids into adulthood without proper treatment and support, we can't responsibly adopt out dangerous dogs without addressing the root causes of their behavior. It’s a complex issue that requires more than quick fixes. Thanks again for engaging with the interview and sharing your perspective!
Some incredibly good, common-sense input in this piece. A frequent complaint about our largest animal shelter is that potential adopters visit only to find an over abundance of pit bulls. And I know so many of them languish in their kennels, waiting to be adopted. For their sake, if not out of concern for public safety (due to the unpredictability of those dogs who might be dangerous), I agree it's best to prevent their births - which is not advocating euthanasia. Prevention is key; which is why the importance of spay/neuter programs is equally significant in the effort to address the over-population problem.
Thanks Annoula! My post today has to do with the curious decision made by BF, ASPCA, and others to stop funding s/n programs. Whatever could they be thinking. Let me know what you think of the article. Thanks!
Thank you. I must say though that increasing the number of pit bulls and mixes is a good thing. I have personally become close to three healthy, non-PTSD Pitties, and they are always cheerful and playful when I come and they are great with kids. So please try to publish actual facts about Pitties in the future. People and families should not be afraid of them.
Hi Miranda, thank you for your feedback. I do try to convey the truth about pit bulls. I've actually been called a pit bull apologist for my defense of them on the national stage. However, facts are stubborn things, and while most pit bulls are truly lovely animals, not all of them are. And it is the not so lovely pitties that are wreaking havic in our public shelters. Here are some of the articles I've written on pitties. If you go to my home page, click on archive and type in pit bulls you'll be able to access these articles:
The Pit Bull Dilemma
The Pit Bull Crisis Comes Home to Roost
Rising Insurance Costs and Overcrowding Imperil Shelter Animals
Balancing Public Safety and Animal Welfare
Let me know what you think after you digest these. Thanks for your interest in this important topic!
Thank you, Ed, for your glowing introduction & for providing this opportunity for me, and my wife Beth, I must add, to share our perspectives with your audience. In editing my remarks down to 1,000 words, unfortunately, several passages were lost that made reference to Beth's extensive experience as police officer, animal control officer, vet tech, former pit bull rescuer, and former vaccination clinic manager at what was then one of Florida's largest nonprofit spay/neuter clinics, now defunct through lack of funding. ANIMALS 24-7 emerges daily through the combination of Beth's research efforts and background with my own. Thank you for including the photo of the two of us together, as Beth is always very much in the picture, working right at my side.
Thank you, Merritt, for allowing me the opportunity to share your important perspectives with my audience. I truly appreciate the contributions both you and Beth have, and continue to make, to animal welfare—I know her extensive background and partnership in your work are invaluable. I'm glad I included the photo of you both, as I wanted to make it clear in the limited space that I have that ANIMALS 24-7 is very much a team effort. I also edited the article to include Beth in the opening paragraph. Looking forward to continuing the conversation!
As a rescue that chose to pull exclusively off the high kill list wherever possible. We encountered many dogs with behavioral issues that resulted from them being traumatized. Having educated trainers would help, but they certainly should not be adopted out to people who do not understand who they are and what their needs are any more than we would adopt out and abused, and acting out child To ignorant people who don’t understand it And will be either two lax or too harsh in their treatment.
Thank you for your feedback, Donna! I think you succinctly described the dilemma faced by most animal shelters. I encourage to read the follow up interview with renowned dog trainer Robert Cabral where we discuss some of the answers to these dilemmas. Let me know what you think.
Ed--I was with you before this piece. Why elevate Clifton to "an expert" when he's a well-known controversial crank who hates pit bulls? You should have quoted others on the subject of these extraordinary dogs. Best Friends may have some problems with the "No Kill" buzz but they have done way more for dogs and cats than Clifton could accomplish in a lifetime.
I want to add that while Clifton may have a dislike of pit bulls every fact that he presents has basis. I corresponded with him about the small animal transport where small pets were sent by two humane societies to a reptile breeder to be fed to snakes. He challenged me on a piece of the story I was telling, which I found annoying at the time, but I provided proof and all was good. This challenge showed me that animals 24/7 will not print information that cannot be verified.
As far as Best Friends, they may have done good things at one point but are leading this nation down a dark path of animal welfare. There is verifiable proof that they and Maddie’s Fund’s sponsored policies of community sheltering and HASS are harming animals. It is a “get to no kill however you can” game they are playing with the million cat challenge, million pet challenge, HASS and other programs.
I too hate the push towards No Kill and I agree--its a numbers game--not real change. Lets convince them of this! There's no reason to attack them for taking in pit bulls.
Ballad, my criticisms of Best Friends' approach are not about their efforts to save pit bulls or any specific breed, but rather about the broader implications of their strategies. I believe that the focus on achieving certain numerical targets, like a 90% live release rate, can sometimes overshadow the quality of life and well-being of the animals involved. It's crucial that these policies don't lead to overcrowding, inadequate care, or unsafe adoptions, which can ultimately harm both animals and communities.
My goal is to advocate for solutions that genuinely improve animal welfare by considering the unique needs and resources of each community. By focusing on tailored approaches, we can ensure that no-kill initiatives are both humane and sustainable.
My issue is that nowhere in all of this is there a push for spay/neuter and going after back yard breeders, which is creating the overpopulation crisis. As many said, we can’t adopt our way out of this mess without shutting off the faucet.
Ballad, thank you for your note. I appreciate your feedback and understand your concerns about Merritt Clifton. My goal was to present a range of perspectives, even if they’re controversial, to spark discussion on the challenges facing the animal welfare movement. I agree that Best Friends has made some significant contributions, and I value your thoughts on how we can better frame these complex issues moving forward.
Jack, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I understand your concerns, and I believe it's important to have open discussions about how we can best balance public safety with the humane treatment of all dogs. While I respect Mr. Clifton's views, I think there are also many who have had positive experiences with pit bulls and other breeds often labeled as dangerous. Ultimately, my goal is to foster an environment where we can find solutions that work for everyone—dogs and humans alike. I appreciate your input as part of this conversation.
Thank you, Merritt, for allowing me the opportunity to share your important perspectives with my audience. I truly appreciate the contributions both you and Beth have, and continue to make, to animal welfare—I know her extensive background and partnership in your work are invaluable. I'm glad I included the photo of you both, as I wanted to make it clear in the limited space that I have that ANIMALS 24-7 is very much a team effort. I also edited the article to include Beth in the opening paragraph.
Recently, I was at the San Jancinto Shelter pulling a dog. A small room filled with people turning in their animals with a woman at the window asking for a chihuahua. She was told to come back in a few days after it had been fixed. She responded in aghast, "What if I want to have puppies?" I was shocked then not shocked. The community is not in alignment with the state of affairs of the plight of animals (She could have just turned around to see the turn ins). Some will never be because they don't subscribe to it, just that animals are more of a prop or tool to be used for some outcome.
Which brings this back to this article. People have to believe and hold true that animal welfare is and has a function in society. And all the attributes of that standard has performance.
It's all in the culture. It's all in the messaging. And it's all in how we ensure that performance of animal welfare, including legal enforcement, is carried out.
When I was in Las Vegas a few weeks ago, the blvd was populated by electronic billboards, sponsored by lawyers, to adopt at the shelter and ads played on the radio the same.
Ms. Hassen, as she goes by now, is propagating ideals from HAAS and seemingly carrying the ideologically brainwashing of "the message." I have reviewed her court cases, articles and results and find them immature and blatantly diverting responsibility.
When I attended several CalAnimals Seminars, one class specifically focused on leaving the animals on the streets. I objected and was told that is what is wanted. Another class proposed it was racist and DEI.
Critical thinking has deflated to follow the masses.
We need leadership that is bold and the elected officials must allow for this common sense, effective, progressive strategies back in to our shelters. This is a Titanic objective to turn the ship in that direction though a steady turn will do it... if we have a captain.
Paul, thank you for sharing your experience—it really highlights the disconnect between some members of the public and the reality of the animal welfare crisis. I agree that culture and messaging play critical roles in shaping public attitudes toward animal welfare, and without clear, strong leadership, it's difficult to make meaningful progress.
The situation you describe at the shelter is a perfect example of why we need more than just awareness campaigns—we need genuine enforcement, education, and accountability. It’s disheartening to hear about the misguided strategies being pushed, but like you said, turning this ship around requires bold leadership and a clear vision. Let's hope for that steady turn and a captain who can lead the way!
I think that’s a very cultural thing to do. I have HISPANIC friends that are diehards for RESCUE and sterilizing their dogs, and I have others that have inherited the cultural point of view that animals need to propagate and they love puppies and they want puppies. No sense In arguing with them. Their primary response is well, we are finding our puppies good homes so they’ll be fine. I think many of the views we all hold from our culturel passed down from our parents and grandparents and it takes a lot to get past them.
Ed thank you for the interview as it’s important to consider all voices.
After reading, I’m reminded of what Gabor Mate talks about with respect to childhood trauma. Much of the current mental illness crisis in America’s youth can be traced to unresolved trauma. You simply cannot “release” kids into the adult world without effective treatment. The results are obvious in our current culture. Much work needs to be done before dangerous dogs can simply be adopted out—regardless of breed.
Some fascinating parallels. Some kids just aren’t fit for the broader adult population—but we obviously can’t sterilize them out of existence—the work must be done to treat and educate them if they did not get that from their parents.
Dee, thank you for your thoughtful note and for making the fascinating connection between childhood trauma and the challenges we face with dangerous dogs. Gabor Mate's insights are indeed powerful, and I agree that unresolved trauma plays a huge role in many of society’s current issues. You're absolutely right—just as we can't simply "release" kids into adulthood without proper treatment and support, we can't responsibly adopt out dangerous dogs without addressing the root causes of their behavior. It’s a complex issue that requires more than quick fixes. Thanks again for engaging with the interview and sharing your perspective!
Some incredibly good, common-sense input in this piece. A frequent complaint about our largest animal shelter is that potential adopters visit only to find an over abundance of pit bulls. And I know so many of them languish in their kennels, waiting to be adopted. For their sake, if not out of concern for public safety (due to the unpredictability of those dogs who might be dangerous), I agree it's best to prevent their births - which is not advocating euthanasia. Prevention is key; which is why the importance of spay/neuter programs is equally significant in the effort to address the over-population problem.
Thanks Annoula! My post today has to do with the curious decision made by BF, ASPCA, and others to stop funding s/n programs. Whatever could they be thinking. Let me know what you think of the article. Thanks!
Thank you. I must say though that increasing the number of pit bulls and mixes is a good thing. I have personally become close to three healthy, non-PTSD Pitties, and they are always cheerful and playful when I come and they are great with kids. So please try to publish actual facts about Pitties in the future. People and families should not be afraid of them.
Hi Miranda, thank you for your feedback. I do try to convey the truth about pit bulls. I've actually been called a pit bull apologist for my defense of them on the national stage. However, facts are stubborn things, and while most pit bulls are truly lovely animals, not all of them are. And it is the not so lovely pitties that are wreaking havic in our public shelters. Here are some of the articles I've written on pitties. If you go to my home page, click on archive and type in pit bulls you'll be able to access these articles:
The Pit Bull Dilemma
The Pit Bull Crisis Comes Home to Roost
Rising Insurance Costs and Overcrowding Imperil Shelter Animals
Balancing Public Safety and Animal Welfare
Let me know what you think after you digest these. Thanks for your interest in this important topic!
Thank you, Ed, for your glowing introduction & for providing this opportunity for me, and my wife Beth, I must add, to share our perspectives with your audience. In editing my remarks down to 1,000 words, unfortunately, several passages were lost that made reference to Beth's extensive experience as police officer, animal control officer, vet tech, former pit bull rescuer, and former vaccination clinic manager at what was then one of Florida's largest nonprofit spay/neuter clinics, now defunct through lack of funding. ANIMALS 24-7 emerges daily through the combination of Beth's research efforts and background with my own. Thank you for including the photo of the two of us together, as Beth is always very much in the picture, working right at my side.
Thank you, Merritt, for allowing me the opportunity to share your important perspectives with my audience. I truly appreciate the contributions both you and Beth have, and continue to make, to animal welfare—I know her extensive background and partnership in your work are invaluable. I'm glad I included the photo of you both, as I wanted to make it clear in the limited space that I have that ANIMALS 24-7 is very much a team effort. I also edited the article to include Beth in the opening paragraph. Looking forward to continuing the conversation!
As a rescue that chose to pull exclusively off the high kill list wherever possible. We encountered many dogs with behavioral issues that resulted from them being traumatized. Having educated trainers would help, but they certainly should not be adopted out to people who do not understand who they are and what their needs are any more than we would adopt out and abused, and acting out child To ignorant people who don’t understand it And will be either two lax or too harsh in their treatment.
Thank you for your feedback, Donna! I think you succinctly described the dilemma faced by most animal shelters. I encourage to read the follow up interview with renowned dog trainer Robert Cabral where we discuss some of the answers to these dilemmas. Let me know what you think.
Ed--I was with you before this piece. Why elevate Clifton to "an expert" when he's a well-known controversial crank who hates pit bulls? You should have quoted others on the subject of these extraordinary dogs. Best Friends may have some problems with the "No Kill" buzz but they have done way more for dogs and cats than Clifton could accomplish in a lifetime.
I want to add that while Clifton may have a dislike of pit bulls every fact that he presents has basis. I corresponded with him about the small animal transport where small pets were sent by two humane societies to a reptile breeder to be fed to snakes. He challenged me on a piece of the story I was telling, which I found annoying at the time, but I provided proof and all was good. This challenge showed me that animals 24/7 will not print information that cannot be verified.
As far as Best Friends, they may have done good things at one point but are leading this nation down a dark path of animal welfare. There is verifiable proof that they and Maddie’s Fund’s sponsored policies of community sheltering and HASS are harming animals. It is a “get to no kill however you can” game they are playing with the million cat challenge, million pet challenge, HASS and other programs.
I too hate the push towards No Kill and I agree--its a numbers game--not real change. Lets convince them of this! There's no reason to attack them for taking in pit bulls.
Ballad, my criticisms of Best Friends' approach are not about their efforts to save pit bulls or any specific breed, but rather about the broader implications of their strategies. I believe that the focus on achieving certain numerical targets, like a 90% live release rate, can sometimes overshadow the quality of life and well-being of the animals involved. It's crucial that these policies don't lead to overcrowding, inadequate care, or unsafe adoptions, which can ultimately harm both animals and communities.
My goal is to advocate for solutions that genuinely improve animal welfare by considering the unique needs and resources of each community. By focusing on tailored approaches, we can ensure that no-kill initiatives are both humane and sustainable.
My issue is that nowhere in all of this is there a push for spay/neuter and going after back yard breeders, which is creating the overpopulation crisis. As many said, we can’t adopt our way out of this mess without shutting off the faucet.
Ballad, thank you for your note. I appreciate your feedback and understand your concerns about Merritt Clifton. My goal was to present a range of perspectives, even if they’re controversial, to spark discussion on the challenges facing the animal welfare movement. I agree that Best Friends has made some significant contributions, and I value your thoughts on how we can better frame these complex issues moving forward.
Jack, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I understand your concerns, and I believe it's important to have open discussions about how we can best balance public safety with the humane treatment of all dogs. While I respect Mr. Clifton's views, I think there are also many who have had positive experiences with pit bulls and other breeds often labeled as dangerous. Ultimately, my goal is to foster an environment where we can find solutions that work for everyone—dogs and humans alike. I appreciate your input as part of this conversation.
Thank you, Merritt, for allowing me the opportunity to share your important perspectives with my audience. I truly appreciate the contributions both you and Beth have, and continue to make, to animal welfare—I know her extensive background and partnership in your work are invaluable. I'm glad I included the photo of you both, as I wanted to make it clear in the limited space that I have that ANIMALS 24-7 is very much a team effort. I also edited the article to include Beth in the opening paragraph.
Looking forward to continuing the conversation!