Both Ends of the Leash

The animal welfare community and the human welfare community are doing the same work, just for opposite ends of the leash. 

 

Biases over who should and shouldn't own pets still exist. There's no doubt about it, but the conversation has changed.

As a movement, we're coming to grips with the fact that pet ownership isn't only for the privileged few. 

 

Change begins with those of us in animal welfare as well as the public to recognize that community members are part of the solution.

They are the solution as opposed to being the problem.

   

For decades efforts to solve issues in animal welfare were founded on the belief that the public was negligent or ignorant. The solution centered around legislating behavior and instituting punishment combined with having to educate an uncaring or ignorant public. This negative attitude towards the public led animal sheltering to adopt strict rules and policies, as well as catch and kill tactics for animal control.  These policies really reinforced an us versus them attitude.

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Helping Both Ends of the Leash means providing a range of support services such as veterinary telehealth, food banks, stray return-to-owner task forces, behavioral and training services, crisis funds and more. There are many services that can be provided from a public health and social services component that helps animals as well as people.  That's what helping both ends of the leash is all about.