National non-profit Dogs Deserve Better (DDB) dedicates itself every year to end the suffering of chained and penned dogs through advocacy, education, and rescue efforts. This Valentine’s Day, owners of the over 800 dogs in DC, MD, and VA who are currently living their life at the end of a chain will receive a friendly reminder to take better care of their dogs; a Valentine’s Day card.
In 2010, DDB volunteers identified 300 Maryland households, 500 Virginia households, and 7 D.C. households were the pets in the home were classified as “Forgotten Dogs.” Thayne explains, “We call these dogs the Forgotten Dogs, because they may technically have a home, but do they really? Left alone in the elements, enduring extreme heat and cold, often withstanding inadequate or no shelter, food, or water, there's no doubt that these dogs suffer, and suffer immensely. Every winter our rescuers see dogs that have frozen in the snow, suffered frostbite, or otherwise endured horrific living conditions because of the longstanding misperception that it is ok to chain a dog and let it out there for life. It isn't.”
These DDB Valentine’s cards, created by local students, scouts, and other community organizations, are sent out to over 15,000 households nationwide. The cards feature sentiments such as "Chains Break Hearts" or "I Promise to Spread the Love, Not the Fleas," and are distributed to addresses that volunteers identified as homes where dogs are chained/penned. The mailing also includes a dog treat coupon and a brochure for the dog’s caretakers, explaining why the practice of chaining dogs for life is a form of abuse. The ultimate goal is to have these owners bring their dogs into the home and family or to find better homes for the animals.
In previous years, the response from Valentine’s card recipients varies. ”Every year we get about 200-300 irate phone calls from people who want us to mind our own business,” states Thayne. “But we also get some touching phone calls from people who genuinely were educated by the program, and either wants help to bring their own dog into the home and family, or are willing to give their dog up to rescue so that he/she can have a better life.” From the perspective of DDB staffers and volunteers, if even one dog is brought in from the cold as a result of this initiative, then it’s all worth it.
Comments