Adopt, Don't Shop
Or extinction of pets?

Created by L. Datura

Informative Speech Aid on how Adopt, Don't Shop = Extinction of pet animals

Speech outline to follow along: Google Docs

Please note: this is a 3-week college project that does not encompass every nuance.

Homeless Animals Matter

Too many pets are abandoned for one reason or another.

If you can adopt, or even foster, please do.

I have volunteered at animal shelters up until 2018 and currently run my own foster dog program.

Top 3 Reasons for Pet Abandonment:

1. Moving/New Addition (dog or baby)

2. Backyard breeding (cousin dave breeding Pitbulls because he can or bestie Sarah breeding doodles because "motherhood is necessary.") which causes health and temperament issues.

3. Lack of knowledge (getting a bearded dragon because they look cool or getting a cane corso because "big strong dog")

Kisley, M. A., Chung, E. J., & Levitt, H. (2024). Investigating the Reasons behind Companion Animal Relinquishment: A Systematic Content Analysis of Shelter Records for Cats and Dogs, 2018-2023. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 14(17), 2606.

Timeline of Animal Rights Organizations

Did you know: Animal Rights and Animal Welfare are two completely different ideals?

Hunt Saboteurs Association

Created in 1962
Wanted to stop fox-hunting by any means necessary, but typically stayed nonviolent
Until 1970s when part of the group's ideals changed

Bands of Mercy

Revived in 1972 by Ronnie Lee, former HSA member
Very violent

Animal Liberation Front

Created in 1976 by Ronnie Lee after serving time in prison.
Is known to be a very violent group.
Has been put on the "ecoterrorist" list in the US
No real leader - similar to the "Anonymous" hacker group for those who know

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Created in 1980 by Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco
Inspired by Peter Singer's "Animal Liberation" book
PETA has been known to go to dog shows to poison water supplies and release dogs from well-aired vehicles
PETA has also been known to have a higher euthanasia rate than any other shelter

The Early History of Animal Rights Extremism. (n.d.). Understanding Animal Research.
https://www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk/regulation/animal-rights-extremism/the-
early-history-of-animal-rights-extremism‌

World War II Was Rough

Resources were scarce and people were terrified. This caused a stop or slow in breeding amongst many who couldn't afford it.

WWII Meant Needing Soldiers - Including Dogs

Just like how we use dogs in the war today, many countries recruited dogs like many of the Shepherd breeds, Rottweilers, Giant Schnauzers; or created their own breed like the Black Russian Terrier.

Some dogs were also used for their fur to keep soldiers warm or used for food due to the lack of said resource.

Image credit: https://armyhistory.org/the-dogs-of-war-the-u-s-armys-use-of-canines-in-wwii/

National Air Raid Precautions Animals Committee (NARPAC)

NARPAC announces that if evacuation is necessary to bring pets with, rehome to someone who doesn't need or want to evacuate, or it'd be kindest to "destroy" them.

Image credit: https://vethistory.rcvsknowledge.org/the-national-air-raid-precautions-for-animals-committee/

Veterinarians and Vet Surgeons Working Overtime

Because of the war, there was more emphasis on assisting injured and sick animals than there was focus on breeding animals. This causes a slow in new generations of pets.

Image credit: https://www.ww2civildefence.co.uk/blog/national-air-raid-precautions-animals-committee-narpac-animal-ambulance

Extinct and Near Extinct Breeds

Due to the lack of breeding during WWII, we either almost lost or completely lost many dog breeds.

Here are a few cool breeds!

Kooikerhondje

Baroness van Hardenbroek van Ammerstol saved the breed from disappearing forever
There were only 25 dogs that survived the war

Image credit: https://www.ragnarokkooikers.com/

Shiba Inu

Was used for their coat to line soldier jackets to keep warm
No more than 20 had survived

Image credit: https://coquinashibas.com/

Seskar Seal Dog

Used for hunting seals on the outer islands of the Gulf of Finland
Is 100% extinct
While there is a revival program, none of the new dogs have the original breed in them

Image credit: https://www.wisdompanel.com/en-us/dog-breeds/seskar-dog