Myth Busters
What do you know about the Dumb Friends League? Not all of the information that you hear is accurate, so we are here to debunk some of the most common misconceptions about our organization and the pets in our care.
The myths:
- MYTH: The Dumb Friends League is affiliated with national animal welfare organizations, like The Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
- Pets have time limits at the Dumb Friends League.
- The Dumb Friends League thinks animals aren't smart.
- Pets are euthanized for no apparent reason at the Dumb Friends League.
- The Dumb Friends League isn't actually a non-profit and actually makes money from adoptions and other programs.
- It's expensive to adopt a pet.
- Cats are aloof and do not get along with other pets, including dogs.
- You cannot train cats, nor can you teach an old dog new tricks.
MYTH: MYTH: The Dumb Friends League is affiliated with national animal welfare organizations, like The Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
TRUTH: We are an independent, local organization.
We routinely collaborate with other animal welfare groups, including those mentioned above, but we do not rely on their support, nor do we rely on funding from any government entity. We depend on donations from people in our community to carry out the lifesaving work that we do.
MYTH: Pets have time limits at the Dumb Friends League.
TRUTH: There is not a specific time limit for cats, dogs and other small pets that are up for adoption.
Some pets are adopted within a few hours, while other pets remain in our care for months. Pets that pass our health and behavior evaluations are available for adoption right away. Those that need extra help to get ready for new homes may receive medical treatment or surgery, weeks in foster care, as well as socialization and behavior modification, if needed. Pets remain available for adoption as long as their health, behavior and space permits.
MYTH: The Dumb Friends League thinks animals aren't smart.
TRUTH: The Dumb Friends League name means that we speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
The word "dumb" is defined by Webster's as "lacking the power of human speech." Our name implies that we speak for those who cannot.
When the Dumb Friends League was founded in 1910, the term "dumb" was so commonly used to describe animals that people didn't think twice about it. "Dumb Animals and How to Treat Them" was a book used in schools. "Our Dumb Animals" was a publication of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals." Various articles in the Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post also described animals in this way. One article from 1912 leads with "Plans for the erection of a sheltering home for dumb animals . . . are being made by the Denver Dumb Friends League."
A 2010 marketing survey commissioned for us shows that we have a 93-percent name recognition in the metro-Denver area. So, while the term "dumb" has fallen out of favor in society, the survey confirms that it would be a mistake to change our name now. Such a change could result in negative outcomes for animals if people didn't connect the new name with our familiar, well respected organization.
Also, we're not just a local shelter anymore, so a name change could affect recognition among legislators, as well as the pet-product industries and others with whom we partner to improve the welfare of animals, not only in Denver but across the country.
MYTH: The Dumb Friends League euthanizes pets for no apparent reason.
TRUTH: We are committed to eliminating the euthanasia of healthy, temperamentally-sound pets.
Because our shelters are "open-admission," meaning we accept every animal that comes to our doors, some pets do arrive with such debilitating injuries or illnesses that they cannot be saved. Others have behaviors that make them a danger to society. Still others are simply too old to be successfully re-homed (although some of our geriatric cats and dogs as old as 13 are adopted as "special needs" pets).
At certain times of the year, a few cats may be euthanized because there are simply too many for us to accommodate, either at our shelters or in foster homes. Cat overpopulation is a problem for local communities in our state. We are helping address it through legislation and advocacy. But it can only be resolved once and for all by more responsible pet ownership, which starts with spaying and neutering.
We humanely euthanize by lethal injection. All animals receive the comfort of trained staff members during this quick and painless procedure.
We and partnering shelters in our community are working to reduce the number of pets that must be euthanized in area shelters. Real progress is being made. At the Dumb Friends League, 31 percent fewer animals were euthanized in FY 2010 than in FY 2008. Also, our overall pet placement rate is more than double the national average. We place 99 percent of healthy pets and 75.3 percent of all the cats and dogs we receive, regardless of their health, age or temperament. In FY 2010, we saved 18,070 pets. Our goal is to continue increasing our placement rate each year until all healthy and treatable pets find loving, permanent homes.
MYTH: The Dumb Friends League isn't actually a non-profit and actually makes money from adoptions and other programs.
TRUTH: We are a private, non-profit organization that is fiscally responsible, using your dollars to fund our programs and services for pets and people.
By making a donation and by using our services, YOU help us continue serving pets and people.
Only about 13 percent of our expenses are covered by our fees for services, which include adoptions and pet intake, as well as humane education, animal behavior programs, the sale of pet supplies, and our mobile spay/neuter clinics. We depend on contributions from individuals, businesses, estates and foundations for the rest.
For example, the fee you pay for adopting a pet helps cover a portion of the cost of caring for the thousands of homeless animals that we serve each year. We spend an average of $300 to care for each pet that comes through our doors. This includes sheltering, veterinary care (spay/neuter, vaccinations, medications and other treatments if needed), as well as foster care, socialization and much more.
We a registered 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization that is fiscally responsible, using your donations wisely to fulfill our mission on behalf of helpless, homeless pets.
MYTH: It's expensive to adopt a pet.
TRUTH: You get a great deal when you adopt a pet from the Dumb Friends League.
The value you receive from the adoption package at our shelters exceeds $500. In addition to the lifelong pal you are taking home, the fee includes spay or neuter surgery, microchip ID implant, initial vaccinations and a medical examination for general good health. Also, you get a temporary leash or carrier, a temporary collar and ID tag, 15-day post-adoption health support, behavior advice from trained counselors, and a free office visit to a participating member of the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society.
Adopting rather than purchasing a pet means that you'll give a second chance to a four-legged friend that needs YOU...and you'll be making room at our shelters for another homeless animal.
MYTH: Cats are aloof and do not get along with other pets, including dogs.
TRUTH: Many cats can be great companions for dogs, other cats and the entire family.
Cats are capable of getting along with other pets, including dogs. Most cats do enjoy company—whether it's with another cat, dog or human.
You'll see how true this is when you visit our shelters. Some of our cats reside in cat colonies, where they interact with other cats throughout the day. Also, when cats are relinquished to us, we specifically ask whether they have a history with other pets, and we pass that information along to you.
MYTH: You cannot train cats, nor can you teach an old dog new tricks.
TRUTH: Cats can be trained and learn tricks, and dogs can learn new tricks at any age.
It's a common belief that cats can train you, but you cannot train them. That simply is not true! Cats are intelligent, and many can be easily trained, just like dogs and other animals. You can teach them tricks, such as "sit" and "high five," and certainly can train them in simpler tasks like not jumping on countertops or furniture.
Everyone has heard that "You can't teach an old dog new tricks," and now you know that it is a false statement. A dog can be trained at any age—whether he's 8 weeks old or 8 years old. Adult dogs can learn a variety of complex training commands. It is never too late to start a training regimen with your dog. In addition to building his confidence, it strengthens the bond between the two of you.
In general, animals respond well to positive reinforcement training techniques. The most important element in training is for you to be consistent, patient and understanding.
If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (303) 751-5772 or media@ddfl.org.