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Everyone is roundly criticizing Boks, mostly because he exaggerates, lies, doesn't keep promises, always proclaims himself faultless, and that he is close to walking on water. Oh, I forgot, he hasn't been saving many lives either--at least until now.
But I think his recent programs, the seniors and the 2 for 1 sale, are good, whether or not they succeed, and they probably won't knowing the history of Ed's new programs.
But the 2 for 1's sale. Think the idea an abomination?
Well Tara Derby and others trained by Winograd in Philadelphia are promoting a 2 for 1 program right now. From the Phillypaws.org website:
Cat "Dollar Days," July 18-Aug. 1
PAWS announces the return of its summer cat adoption promotion: "Dollar Days." Between July 18 and August 1, the adoption fee for a cat will be only $1.
The two-week event, during these summer months when literally hundreds of animals come into the shelter each day, is one way PAWS is working to save the lives of Philadelphia's homeless animals.
When you adopt a cat, you will be able to adopt a second one at no additional charge. Owning two cats involves little more expense or trouble than owning just one. In addition, it provides each with a companion, saves two lives rather than one, and provides space in the shelter for two more animals waiting for a home.
If you have been considering adopting a new best friend, we urge you to come in and meet the cats just waiting for a chance at life. By opening your home to a PAWS cat (or cats), you will truly be saving a life that may not have a chance without your kindness.
Especially now, during the height of "cat season," there is simply not enough room or resources at the shelter to accommodate all of the animals who come in. Those who are not adopted or placed in foster care are often euthanized. With your help, though, we can put an end to the killing of animals simply because they don't have a home.
During last year's "Cat Sale," 576 cats found forever homes. This year, the event will last a full two weeks in an effort to save even more lives. Please join us!
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Now Philadelphia has a much smaller shelter than LA, taking in a less than 1/2 of LA. Yet, last year placed 576 kittens in one week. That is equivalent to LAAS placing 1,350 kittens in a week.
Now I know LAAS will never be able to perform at the success rate of Philadelphia, though I do want to see how close they come to Philly's success. I also know that there is a strong possibility some will be fed to dogs for fun, or end up being tortured by a mean hearted 6 year old, but that is the breaks. This is what every human being and animal has to face in life: the luck of the draw. When you are overwhelmed with animals needing homes, and the choice is between them dying or taking their chances of finding a "good-enough" home, I think they would choose an opportunity to live.
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What some of the critics do not realize, is that it is not just the cost, it is also the publicity and marketing value of of the program. It is a sale. Everyone likes a sale. many people will come for a discount cat that when they hear about it. Remember, we can never expect a "loving home," all that they need is a good-enough home.
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6 comments:
Please inquire as to the number of returns from this sale. An estimate that I heard said was at least one third of the "twoferone" sale was returned to the shelter within a week. I can't verify this info, it is from a couple of volunteers in the shelter verbally and then again this is a non profit and their records are not for public viewing in order to verify.
"When you are overwhelmed with animals needing homes, and the choice is between them dying or taking their chances of finding a "good-enough" home, I think they would choose an opportunity to live."
Well said, Ed. Life is about risk. Even if a third of these animals are returned to the shelter, that means that 2/3 were not.
I am the Chief Operating Officer of the Philadelphia shelter mentioned and I would like to expand on this topic by noting that our "adopt one, get a second friend for free" program runs 365 days a year for cats and kittens of all ages. It is particularly beneficial for young, playful kittens who can expend energy playing with each other or adult cats who arrived together from a home and have a better chance of leaving together. Additionally, although it does not count cats who may have been adopted then surrendered to other shelters, our return rate averages less than 4%.
It also means you don't know what happens to the other two thirds. Most people go to adopt one usually and reputable adoption groups will only adopt two pets at the same time if they are bonded. They will ask the family to take the pet home for a week and then return if they feel the same. The families rarely return. You can't verify that the other two thirds are living happily ever after, now can you?
If you adopt out a single animal, you have no idea what will happen to it. Maybe someone will eat it, beat it, toss it outside, never feed it, never take it to the vet, never walk it... People can do it when they adopt one pet. Does it matter if they adopt two for the price of one? There will still be the same amount of abuse, not more.
Saving $30 adopting one an imal will not make it more likey to be the target of abuse or neglect. Price does not correlate with abuse. Abusers, neglectors will always exist irregardless of price or animal limit.
I have never heard of any rescue group refusing to adopt two animals to a good home. In fact, in cat rescue, many organizations insist on adopting kittens in pairs, even if they are unrelated.
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