| 2000, the former Olympic city of Calgary, Alberta, boasted an 87
percent success rate in returning impounded dogs to their owners. Compared to the
average 17 percent success rate in most American cities, this is an astounding
achievement. Though roughly 90,000 canines call Calgary home, it's animal services
shelter is never full to capacity and fewer than 200 dogs were euthanized there last year.
Again, compared to most major cities, where several thousand animals are
killed each year, this is a staggering success. According to public
education advisor Tracy Gauson of Calgary's animal Services Department, the city's
achievement is the result of a massive public relations campaign. "Education
is the key" Gauson says. "And from a very early age. We go out to
kindergarten classes and educate children about responsible pet ownership. We
advertise in local papers, we've done billboards and bus shelters, we're at every
community event. It's important that the people understand that we are not the bad
guys."
Far from it. In fact, a licensed dog picked up by the Calgary's animal services
is driven straight home (for a small fee). The vehicles used by the animal services
workers are equipped with a computer system that allows the workers to find and
communicate with the animals' owner directly and return the animal while still in the
field. This saves time and money for everyone involved.
An unlicensed animal, however, will be taken immediately to the shelter. Before
the dog can be released to its' owner, licensing requirements must be met and the owner is
fined $250. Repeat offenders face penalties that increase in $250 increment per
violation. While educating the public is key, as Gauson says, sometimes money is the
strongest motivator.
The city's animal shelter programs are entirely funded by the collection of
these fines and by the animal licensing fees. Because so few pets remain in the shelter,
Calgary can maintain a policy of never killing an adoptable animal. Statistically
speaking, 87 percent of dogs impounded were returned, a little over nine percent were
adopted out and slightly more than three percent were euthanized in 2000. Gauson maintains
that of those killed, all were either sick or hurt beyond recovery, or too aggressive to
be placed in homes. |
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| KEEP IT SIMPLE Another component of
Calgary's program is convenience. A dog owner can apply for a new license or renew
an existing license on the Internet, through the mail, in person or by the phone.
Calgary's animal services website only began accepting e-commerce, but Gauson says the
number of applications received online is increasing every day. Every
fall, the city declares a six-week period during which the $250 fine will be waived.
If the owner of an unlicensed, impounded dog secures a license within 48 hours of being
notified. Gauson says there's an increase in license applications at this time every year,
and as a public relations tool, the waiver helps emphasize the fact that the city does
have a heart. Every now and then, she adds, animal services will find itself with an
animal whose guardian is unwilling to come forward because of the fee. Though this
aspect of the program is much less widely publicized, the city is willing to work with
offenders who truly cannot afford to pay. She believes the most important thing is
to get the animal home where it belongs.
Gauson admits that Calgary's approach to education, convenience and the
enforcement of stiff penalties works well because the population is educated and there for
pets are often treated and well cared for as children. Not to mention that the city boasts
300 offleash parks and play areas, many times more than the average American city.
But this doesn't mean the basic secrets to Calgary's success would work any differently in
any city. "INUNDATE THE PUBLIC WITH INFORMATION' she advises. 'Enact the laws to make
a positive program possible, but concentrate on education before you focus on
enforcement".
Of course, the appropriate local statutes and a municipal government that makes
animal issues a priority are essential ingredients in the formula. Calgary, for example,
hired Gauson exclusively to wage their animal services campaign. It is her job to
win the hearts and minds of the people of the city and convince them that licensing their
dogs is the right thing to do. And so far, it seems to be working. More than
90 percent of dogs living in Calgary today are licensed, compared to a maximum of 15
percent in most American cities. "You're never going to get them all,"she says,
"but we're working on it." Another
example of community recognizing the need for education is www.21stcenturycares.org/noedprogram.htm
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