An Albuquerque, NM news station aired a report following up on a massive adoption drive earlier this month where local shelters waived adoption fees on dogs. This is the headline they posted on the station’s website:
Free dogs being returned to Albuquerque animal shelter
Only those who take the time to actually watch the video report will realize that in fact, the adoption drive was a huge success: 374 dogs were adopted out and shelter populations were reduced immensely. The normal return rate for the Albuquerque shelters is 11% but returns from the free adoption drive have been only 5% – less than half the usual rate.
This was not by accident. Shelter staff and volunteers helped adopters find good matches to fit their lifestyles at the event. Volunteers have been making follow up calls to adopters to aid in troubleshooting the common challenges faced during the adjustment period after a new pet joins the family. And Petco offered support in the form of a free one hour training class to everyone who adopted that weekend.
But rather than choosing a headline to highlight the hard work and great success achieved with this adoption drive, the station posted a misleading headline which gives readers the false impression that free adoptions don’t work. They do work. And there is already enough baseless opposition to them without irresponsible media headlines adding to the misconception.
So since KOB didn’t say it, I will: Well done, Albuquerque. Thank you staff and vols for working hard to empty out your kennels responsibly and humanely. More, please.