Page 32 - Chow Life - 2025 01 Spring
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[1, 4]. Despite the reduction in mammary and information or told about these research findings
gonadal neoplasia, neutering is associated with when they are called upon to pass mandatory spay/
increased prevalence of other cancers such as neuter legislation. They are encouraged to pass
hemangiosarcoma, lymphosarcoma, mast cell laws and regulations not knowing they will cause
tumors and osteosacaomea. [18, 4, 12, 19, 20]. harm to the dogs owned by their constituents.
Many orthopedic conditions were found to be
associated [17, 4, 8,] especially in dogs neutered My fourth scenario focused on the Humane
before sexual maturity [18, 4,19, 20]. A recent Society of United States (HSUS) and their clever
retrospective study by Hart et al. [9] highlighted use of the many strategies also used by ISIS and
the impact of breed risks associated with neutering the media. For example, HSUS is known to rely on
in the expression of joint disorders. The Hart the use of social and print media and TV to reach
study mirrored other findings of high risk for a large audience of willing patrons. Their strategy
Labrador and Golden Retrievers and includes a series of carefully crafted messages
some Terrier breeds [9]. Ballenger which they combine with sad music,
found that neutering reduced caged and sickly looking dogs with
the risk of GDV, however it “ sore eyes, ribs showing from
was highly associated with hunger and ribs showing. Using
the increased risk for The gap between selected videos and powerful
other disorders in some donor perception messaging they produce
working breeds. compelling images that
successfully move large TV
Elected officials are and reality has audiences to send money
usually not given also been well based on their sympathy
this kind of detailed documented all appear to be in distress
for the animals shown that
in their advertisements.
Their media approach taps
into a $100 million market of
“
people willing to contribute in
the belief that they will end what
they see in the HSUS TV ads.
The facts about how HSUS uses
the money they raise was recently
brought to light when the Editor
of Kennel Spotlight reviewed and
reported on the HSUS tax return
which showed that only 1 percent
of the HSUS budget was spent on
grants to support pet sheltering
[6]. Research about the HSUS
donor group also showed they were
confused about where their money
was being spent. The gap between
donor perception and reality has also
been well documented by others, and in
March of 2014, then Oklahoma Attorney
General Scott Pruitt issued a "consumer
alert" about the funding of national animal
charities like HSUS.
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