Animal Advocacy*

A Touchy Subject

Disclaimer: Before I begin, allow me to say that this piece is my personal and professional opinion, but does not represent the opinion(s) of anyone else I work with/for or have ever worked with/for.

When I was about five years old I realized that “meat” was animals. I stopped with obvious things like chicken, hamburgers, and hotdogs. Soon I became a full-blown vegetarian (around age seven). I just could not reconcile eating an animal. I eat no meat, fish or eggs, but I do consume dairy. Simply put, for as long as I can remember I have loved (and advocated for) animals.

When I was 22, my ex-fiancé and I bought a pure-bred Bulldog and I feel in love with everything about the breed. I met other bully owners, breeders, veterinary specialists, and the like, and learned all I could about the breed (or so I erroneously thought). I later adopted a second female and in 2002, whelped a litter of eight. I lost one at a week of age to aspiration pneumonia. I was devastated. I thought I would die from sadness. Eventually, I learned that, although unfortunate, it was common, particularly in a bracephalic breed. I had such loving success with the first litter that I whelped a second litter of eight in 2003. Finally studding my male one last time in 2004 (and then promptly neutering him). I gave one to my mom, one to my sister, and one to my ex-in-laws. Breeding dogs is so expensive, when done correctly, I barely broke even.

In 2004, I started working in the veterinary field, and as much as I loved those 16 puppies, I will never breed again. Had I known then, what know now, I would have not bred my dogs, especially a breed such as the Bulldog. (Anyone who has a Bulldog and/or veterinary experience can understand this). The Rottweiler and three additional bullies I owned were all rescues or client surrenders. My dog and cat that are still with me are both mutts. The rest have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Most recently, due to many years’ experience in both veterinary care and animal fundraising; I was asked to join the board of a local 501c3, non-profit for animals, which I gladly accepted. I am the rescue coordinator.

In my almost 12 year career as a veterinary technician, (also working kennel, reception, marketing, and business office), I have seen things that would make even the toughest person bitter and sad. I have seen litters of kittens be euthanized in the sac when we spayed the stray female that a Good Samaritan is trying to help (and help control the pet population). I have seen pet abandonment in every pet I have owned in the last twelve years. My dog was left to die on the side of the road at approximately five to six weeks of age. They found two live puppies and two dead ones. My cat was left in the bushes at my hospital at about the same age. Recently, we had a client surrender her healthy, 16 year old dog to be euthanized at Animal Control because she didn’t want to care for a geriatric pet any longer. This week, we had to euthanize a pet that, the man adored, but just wasn’t educated about proper care and by the time he brought her to us, she had likely been in heart failure for quite a while. He felt like crap, and to be frank, he should, but at least he cared enough to do what was right in the end. He was genuinely devastated. I have seen similar situations where the people take the pet home to die a suffering death and we cannot legally do a thing to stop them. A few years ago, we had to euthanize two pit bulls that were shot by a stranger on a walk because they barked at him. ACTUAL BULLETS IN THE DOGS in broad daylight. These things make us all cry when no one sees us. For pets that are not ours because we cannot help them.

As my veterinary brothers and sisters can tell you, you need to do your homework before you get a pet. It is a 10-20 year commitment (average) and it isn’t cheap, even when they are young and healthy. Dogs need proper training, diet, exercise, attention, vaccinations, heartworm and flea prevention for LIFE. Cats need properly diet, litter, attention, vaccinations, flea prevention, and in some cases, heartworm prevention, for LIFE.  Most people opt not to get pet insurance, but if they do, and your pet is pure-bred, they do not cover most genetic diseases. In summary, you will likely pay out-of-pocket quite a bit to properly care for your fur baby.

I am a huge fan of client education. It saddens me to see this happen time and time again. So to my friends, family, and acquaintances that ask for veterinary advice, please do not take offense when I give it to you straight. More to this point, please do not ask, if you do not plan to listen. As a fellow technician recently said to me, “the next time someone asks for your advice about whether or not their pet needs to see a veterinarian, you tell them, if your human child was sick, would you take THEM to the doctor”? The same applies to attention, diet, shelter, and the like. Please folks, let that sink in.

Lastly, please try to #adoptdontshop. People are still going to breed their dogs, but at least research the breed and trust your veterinarians. They go to school for at least eight years! We do not do this for the money, I can promise you that! We do this for a deep love of animals. And if you spend all that money on your pet, be sure you set aside plenty for their [proper] care! If you cannot honor these commitments, please do yourself and the animal favor and let someone who can adopt them.

With deep, heartfelt thanks. Dara