My, what a difference a day makes.

One day after the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals issued a scathing press release about the lack of adoptable animals (or information about adoptable animals) at this year's 'Meet the Breeds' event, the Mayor's Alliance started asking supporters to stop the snipping because 'something positive' may be coming out of the dust-up:

The brief statement reads as follows:
Good news — and a request — regarding the upcoming AKC/CFA Meet the Breeds event. Our voices have been heard! Because of your feedback, something positive is coming out of this for NYC's cats and dogs, with MANY more adoption venues now opening up! We'll have the details shortly.

We ask that you please stop contacting the AKC, CFA, or event sponsors/vendors now. We also ask that there be no event picketing or product boycotts. Watch our website, Facebook, or Twitter for updates!

Thanks!

We (New York Tails) was also personally asked to remove the original release issued by the Mayor's Alliance from this platform--which we have done--with the promise that we'll be filled in on what changes have transpired to bring this about-face. That said, you can still read the initial rumbles on the Mayor's Alliance own Facebook page (checked as of 7pm Thursday, October 7th).


In the meantime, New York Tails Magazine (and this blog in particular) has been receiving some interesting comments on the story. Like I initially predicted, we were going to get trounced by both sides (pro and con) if I was doing my job in terms of trying to presenting both sides of the story.

On a personal note, and for future reference: It is the policy of this blog--and has always been--not to publish 'anonymous' comments. However, in this case--and in this case only--I am making an exception. Why don't we publish anonymous comments? Because I need to confirm your comment. This is usual editorial policy anywhere you go. Vigorous debate is welcomed, flame wars between faceless entities are not.

I am particularly tickled by the comments we received that accuse us of not having asked the AKC for comment on their side of the story. To those people: do you know how to read? If you need help in this area I would be more than happy to help you get in touch with the United States Literacy Information and Communication System. It is easy to use: when you get to the home page, click on the link that says "America's Literacy Directory" and you'll be directed to a field where you can put in your zip code and be connected to literacy help in your neighborhood.

Why am I fired up about this? Because, really, people. Look at the comments below, and then look at the original article I wrote. First thing I did was reach out to the AKC (and the CFA, for that matter) and ask them for their take. I put their comments right up front and ended with the AKC's forays into 'mixed-breed' outreach. You guys on the other side (the 'pro' adoption side) aren't much better--first comments I got (mostly phonecalls) were asking me why was I coming down on the side of the AKC and the breeds? I don't mind if you disagree with what I wrote--indeed, this country was built on the idea of healthy debate and the ability to speak freely, but at least read what you're disagreeing with first.

Still, I am glad if this somehow has acted as the catalyst for a healthy debate on the larger issues this story emcompasses. I do appreciate each and all comments, but, next time, man-up (or woman-up) and identify yourself, even if it's by an alias.

Or I will not publish your comments.

Bite Me.


Here's some of the comments we received--all but the first one which was received by email to New York Tails were 'Anonymous.' I publish them here against policy because I think some of the opinions are very telling.

[Received by email to New York Tails and republished here...] New York Tails has mischaracterized the AKC' Meet the Breeds event. It is a purely educational event that has nothing to do with shelter or shelter adoptions. The purpose of the event is to educate the public and prospective pet owners about the different breeds of dog. The dogs present at the event are not available for adoption but are much loved pets. The owners have chosen to participate in order to help the public learn about the dogs. To have shelters, pet shops or groups interested in selling dogs represented at such an event is not appropriate in my opinion. It is very possible that, after learning about a breed at this event, a person might very well go to a shelter or rescue organization and chose to adopt a dog based on exposure at the Meet the Breeds. It is also possible that a person who is thinking of choosing, say, a Ukrainian Garbage Hound (Joke) might learn that this (fictional) breed is not suited See more... to his lifestyle and choose another, quite possible from the local shelter. This could avoid yet another dog being rejected by an uninformed owner for being unsuitable and thus avoid another poor dog ending up at the shelter. I find it depressing that groups who claim to be dedicated to bettering the lives of dogs spend their time attacking groups like the AKC that have been helping dogs and dog owners for generations. Jean Richardson

By New York Tails Magazine on AKC To NYC Adoption Community -- Drop Dead at 3:38 PM
If this is an "unbiased" "both sides of the story" report, where is AKC's position on why they didn't want the adoptions taking place during Meet the Breeds? Did you ask? I'll bet you'd discover that adoptions based on impulse and emotion rarely last. The best adoptions require time to investigate the new home and be sure the new pet will receive good care and not be returned to the shelter. Try actually researching your subject next time.

By Anonymous on AKC To NYC Adoption Community -- Drop Dead at 3:16 PM
Apparently you don't know the first thing about journalism, to ask questions. Further you will not post opposing comments to your own, even worse. Has you asked you would have found out there are no dogs for sale at this AKC sponsored event. It is an informative session whereby people learn about authentic purebred dogs, exclusively. Now that's not to say there may not be good advice on what to do about health, training, etc that might be useful to a mixed breed dog owner. One thing you neglect to mention is without parentage of these dogs mixed breed owners are left puzzled by some of the characteristics/ behaviors these dogs do, It is only with the help of purebred breeders that can provide the tools for successful training and care needed to keep them in a lifelong home. If people are interested in mixed breed adoption they can got to any number of shelter/ public events. Stop bashing the purebreds!

By Anonymous on AKC To NYC Adoption Community -- Drop Dead at 6:37 AM
The AKC "Meet the Breeds" event is not at all tied to acquisition of a dog--purebred or mutt. It is an educational event. I am sorry that you and others misunderstood and used this as an opportunity to attack the AKC. There is no relation between "Meet the Breeds" and a shelter adoption fair, therefore they cannot and should not be tied together. By not including shelters, The AKC is not passing judgment any more than they are endorsing a point of view because they failed to invite political groups. It's just that the two have little in common.

By Anonymous on AKC To NYC Adoption Community -- Drop Dead at 5:18 AM
I don't think responsible hobby breeders are allowed to set up shop outside shelters and/or adoption events to present well-bred puppies with a known background from parents with known backgrounds and temperaments. So why should shelters be welcome at an event that focuses on purebreds? So let them set an example - let those shelters and rescue programs pay the hefty fees to rent a NYC event center, then extend a hand to purebred breeders and show how they can work together!

By Anonymous on AKC To NYC Adoption Community -- Drop Dead on 10/6/10
It seems that there is some confusion as to what an AKC Meet the Breeds event actually is. It is an event only for pure bred dogs, and it is NOT an adoption or sale venue. AKC Meet the Breeds has a long history of being an educational event for the public to learn about pure bred dogs by meeting them and having an opportunity to ask questions of their owners and breeders. Typically Meet the Breed owners will explain the history of the individual breed, discuss the AKC breed standard, answer questions about training and the most appropriate home environment for that breed. Meet the Breed is not an event for mixed breed dogs or for adoptions or litter sales.

By Anonymous on AKC To NYC Adoption Community -- Drop Dead on 10/6/10
It seems that there is confusion at the root of the issue over the AKC events called Meet the Breeds. An AKC Meet the Breeds event is NOT an adoption event but an educational event for the public to learn about pure bred dogs that are being exhibited. Those dogs are NOT for sale or adoption but merely present to help the public see a specimen of that breed that adheres to the breed standard. It also affords the public to ask questions about breed history, longevity, health, responsiveness to training, and the type of home and owner that makes the best match. The AKC refusal to include any representatives of mixed breeds, or any adoption opportunities is in keeping with the purpose of an AKC sanctioned Meet the Breed event. Meet the Breed Events are purely to provide educational information on pure bred animals.


By Anonymous on AKC To NYC Adoption Community -- Drop Dead on 10/6/10
What in the world is the problem here? This is obviously a conflict of interest for the AKC and the Mayor's Alliance shouldn't have asked to push in on the AKC event just because it also concerns animals. AKC represents people who breed purebred dogs and those dogs are for sale. Sorry, but if there is a group there giving away puppies, most of which are mixed breed dogs, that's not good for AKC or the people OR dogs they represent. C'mon! Get real. The world isn't built to revolve around rescue animals all the time. There are other people and other pets in the world.


[