History

Question 1

Veterinarian Oath

Answer 1

Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knwledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffereing, the conservation of animal resources, the promoion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge

Question 2

Animal Homelessness

Answer 2

• 3-6 million animals per year
  
  • 2 million deaths
• Consequences:
  
  • Cost financially andemotionally
  • Risk to public health
  • Potential for animal suffering and death on a massive scale

Question 3

The Beginnings of Animal Welfare

Answer 3

Henry Bergh (1813 - 1888)

• Founded American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in NY - 1866
  
  • Rescue derricks, Replaced real pigeons with clay (shooting), fought vivisection, cockfighting, and dog baiting
• Proponent for Animal and Child Welfare
  
  • Mary Ellen Wilson
• American Humane Association (1877)
• Helped create Anticruelty legislation in 37/39 states

Question 4

Animal Welfare - Child Welfare

Answer 4

Mary Ellen Wilson- 1874

• Example of childwell fare issues.
• Mother had beat her and sliced her face with scissors.
• The case the helped turn laws for the humane treatment of animals to important child safety laws

Question 5

Animal Control in 1877

Answer 5

• No spay and neuter = population out of control
• Dogs caught were strangled, drowned, or beaten
  
  • Dockside drownings attracted crowds to watch, but not to protest
• Henry did not take over this program, because at the time they were seperate issues from animal care.
  
  • Public safety vs humane care by owners

Question 6

First Humane Animal Shelter

Answer 6

Caroline Earle White (1833 - 1916)

• Co-Founded PennSPCA - 1868
• “City Refuge” - 1874
  
  • Cared for strays and unwanted pets
  • Provided some medical treatment
  • Placement into new homes
  • Humane Euthanazia
• Because of the time, Caroline held no ‘official’ position, used her husbands name in office.

Question 8

Cruelty Prevention to Animal Control Timeline

Answer 8

• 1894: ASPCA Takes over animal control duties for NYC
  
  • Insitution of dog licenses (registered owned dogs)
  • Regular salaries for workers vs. redemption fees
    
    • Bring more in = more money = stolen animals
  • Praised for catching and killing more
• 1977: Municipal contract with NYC Department of Health
  
  • started to emphasize spay and neuter
• 1994: Terminated contract due to conflict of mission
  
  • Anima Control does not equate to Animal welfare

Question 9

Social movement of the 1970’s

Answer 9

• Promotion of rescuing animals from shelters
  
  • Adoption of healthy unclaimed pets
  • Minimal medical care provided
• Effort to improve euthanasia methods
  
  • Euthanasia by injection becomes preferred
• Initial engagement of the veterinary community
  
  • to control capacity
• The low cost say and newuter clinics open
  
  • In Los Angeles 1969
  • 80-85% animals unaltered at this time

Question 10

1980a Professionalizaion of Aimal Shelter

Answer 10

• Recognition of the value of spay/neuter
  
  • implementation of voucher programs to get vets to help with spay and neuter
• SAWA (Shelter Animal Welfare Administration) created to share ideas and talk about best practice
• National Animal Control
• Animal Care Expo starts

Question 11

1990’s - Emphasis on Outcomes

Answer 11

• Large, well funded animal shelters develop
  
  • Veterinary employment with a focus on medicine and treatment
• First appearance of the “no-kill” movement - unless medically or behavioraly necessary animals are not euthanized
• Spay/Neuter begins to impact intake
• Increased perceived value of adopting

Question 12

Today:

Answer 12

• Treat and Rehabilitate
• Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters by the Assosiation of Shelter Veterinarians (2010)
• Some shelters veiw vets as inconvienient necessaties
  
  • Perform spay and neuter, but don’t critique our operations
• Active Vaterinary Involvement in:
  
  • Spay/Neuter Programs
  • Post Adoption Outreach for medical/behavior animals that do get adopted out
  • Behavior Programs to try and make animals more adoptable
  • Shelter Medicine (disease mitigation)
  • Veterinary Forensics looking into animal cruelty cases

Question 13

Today’s Demographics

Answer 13

• 3,500 Organizations
• 3,000,000 Animal Intakes

Question 14

Five Freedoms for Animal Welfare

Answer 14

1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst
   
   • Ready access to water and a diet to maintain health and vigor
2. Freedom from Discomfort
   
   • Providing appropriate environment including shelter and comfortable resting area
3. Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease
   
   • Prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment
4. Freedom to Express Normal Behavior
   
   • Provide sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind
5. Freedom from Fear and Distress
   
   • Ensure conditions/treatment avoid mental suffering