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By
Frank Migliore
Shelter Supervisor
Frank's
Friends
Growing up in New York City's melting pot in the 50s and 60s,
my parents had genuine concern as to the kinds of friends
I would choose. My friends came from various religious, ethnic,
and racial backgrounds. Some were angry, displaced and ill
mannered. Some would be considered society's rejects. A few
of them would display their discontent by dressing oddly (oh!
The 60s!) and rebelling against society. My mother would always
warn me to choose my friends wisely, because they can either
make or break you.
After relocating to south Florida in 1976, I became a police
officer. I found my choice of friends to be limited, because
many people were reluctant to befriend a police officer. I
thought to myself, Don't people realize that underneath this
uniform, I'm just a regular guy? It just so happens that I
chose a career that serves and protects.
Following a move to the Traverse City area in 1990, I had
the pleasure of meeting some very wonderful people. In 1998
I became Shelter Supervisor at the Cherryland Humane Society.
Again, I had chosen a job that serves and protects.
I telephoned my parents and told them how excited I was to
be part of such a wonderful organization. Mom's first question,
naturally, was, what sort of friends are you making? I told
my mother that I had finally realized that it is not the quantity
of friends one makes which matters, but rather the quality
of the friendship that counts.
The new friends I met here at the shelter are among the best
I have ever had. My new friends are much like the ones I had
back in Brooklyn – they come from various backgrounds, and
for the most part they have been rejected by society. But
I really love these guys. They are happy to see me every morning.
We play together, but few words are spoken. They don't judge
me, they don't care where I live, what kind of car I drive,
or how much money I have. The new friends I have made have
four legs and a tail. They are the many dogs and cats and
puppies and kittens who come through the doors of the shelter.
They are the best friends a person could ever ask for. I am
glad my mother taught me to choose my friends wisely.
Having served in animal shelter supervision for several years,
I encourage each person reading this article to be a friend
to your pet. You are probably the best friend they will ever
have. I know that they will be the best friend you will ever
have. Be a real friend and have them spayed and neutered,
provide regular visits to your veterinarian, and treat them
responsibly. Please make a life-long commitment to them –
don't let your friend become my friend.
Canine
Evaluation Classification System
Here
at Cherryland Humane Society, we are constantly striving to
increase adoptions, decrease the dog/cat overpopulation, and
reduce the number of dogs and cats that are adopted and subsequently
returned to us. Quite often the reason for these dogs and
cats being returned to us is simply the result of an unsuitable
adoption from the on-set. Simply put, the pet and its new
owner(s) just don't fit into each other's lifestyle and expectations.
Neither is at fault, yet the end result is a lose-lose situation.
The animal loses its new found home, and is returned to the
shelter atmosphere to await yet another new owner, and many
times the new owner(s) are equally upset, emotionally distraught
over having to return the animal that they started to bond
with for reasons that they perceive to be unsolvable.
In line with our mission and incorporated into our latest
ten-year plan, we here at Cherryland Humane Society have addressed
this issue and are trying diligently to reduce the number
of these unfortunate scenarios.
Included as part of our standard operating procedure is our
"Canine Temperament Evaluation." This system has been in place
since early 2003 here at Cherryland Humane Society, and thus
far it has been very successful. The positive results are
directly reflected in our statistics of long-term canine adoptions.
We are seeing fewer dogs returned to our shelter. Word of
our success has spread to other Northern Michigan Shelters
and I have been requested to speak to various animal shelters
about this program. Although I am very fortunate to have been
able to institute this program here at Cherryland Humane Society,
I cannot take credit for its inception.
This program is the result of many years of work and research
by Dr. Dennis Fetko. I was fortunate to have been a student
of Dr. Fetko in 1999, in one of his seminars while at the
annual Michigan Animal Control Officer's Convention in Lansing,
MI.
Dr. Fetko holds a Ph.D. in Human Behavior / Behavioral Psychology
as related to pet facilitated therapy. He has been an instructor
for many universities throughout the U.S., as well as for
many international, national, state, and county animal control
academics and humane organizations. His services have been
called upon as a consultant for zoos, humane societies, animal
control, search and rescue units, hospitals, clinics and research
therapists. Dr. Fetko's Temperament Evaluation is limited
to dog adoptions. I am currently looking into instituting
a similar process for the cats here at Cherryland Humane Society.
Dr. Fetko is known to international audiences as Dr. Dog.
His Canine Temperament Evaluation, as it pertains to animal
shelters that adopt dogs, asks the question, "Should
You Give This Dog A Chance?"
His
program covers canine behavior and centers on an evaluation
which, when simplified, determines which dogs should be euthanized
or adopted and with what restrictions. Through his program,
I have learned what to look for, what the dog is displaying,
and how to factor for various characteristics. Areas to look
for are aggression, dominance, submission, trauma thresholds,
defense reflexes, thigmotaxis (opposition reflex), intelligence,
con-specific and inter-specific sociability and response to
authority.
Use
of the program creates a win-win situation. The public wins
by getting a suitable animal; the staff wins by knowing decisively
what each dog needs and why; and the animals win by being
placed in suitable environments.
The desired end result is less animals being returned to the
Shelter, and more permanent, life-long adoptions.
After a thorough evaluation each dog receives one of the following
classifications:
A - Adoptable to any home
B - No beginner or first time dog owners
C - No children (pre-schoolers)
D - No other dogs or pets
E - No elderly or disabled persons
These classifications are arrived at after testing for:
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General - size, type/breed, gender, coat, balance, animation
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Physical - limbs, weight, nails, discharges, coat
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Behavior - socialized, fearful, defensive, relaxed, playful,
attentive, bully, aloof, loud, trusting
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History - pet shop, puppy mill, training, abuse, stray,
several homes, neglect
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Responses - collar & lead, people, touch, noise, sight,
posture, vocal, handshake
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Stubborn - curious, slow, alert, learns, attentive
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Dominance - jump, mouth, growl, challenge, fight
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Defense Reflexes - scruff lift, active/passive, vocal
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Sudden stimuli - visual, sonic, novel
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Trust/Relaxation - approach, pant, play, affection
Our Adoption application is designed to ask certain questions
that help our staff fit each individual potential adopter
with the "right" dog for them and their current
living situation.
So
if you have been to our facility and perhaps were "denied"
an adoption, please understand that you are not considered
a good/bad person. An adoption denial simply means that the
right combination does not exist for what we're hoping to
be a permanent, life-long adoption.
We in no way intend to offend or judge people as a good/bad
adopter, but after extensive training we believe we know a
good/bad "adoption" when we see it. We also understand
that every situation is unique and that no system is fool
proof. So, while visiting our Shelter, stop and speak with
our staff, ask questions, seek answers and most importantly
spend some time with our dogs/cats.
Look for many changes and new things happening with Cherryland
Humane Society in the future. Some things include a Cat Evaluation
Process and a stress reduction program for all animals.
Come, be a part of us. Share your compassion for animals with
us.
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