The inter-dependency between dogs and man is thought to be
almost as old as mankind itself. We have relied on each other and prospered
because of each other since the dawn of civilization. It is a truly remarkable
relationship that has proven to be remarkable in the fields of search and
rescue, independence for those with disabilities and medical conditions as well
as helped humans live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
Many of us
self-proclaimed dog lovers share our life, our home and our bed with our four
legged furry companions.
How is it then that so many dogs remain homeless
around the world?
Dogs suffer terrible and tragic fates in every corner of the
globe to this day. Their survival instincts, adaptability skills and
reproduction rates complicate their plight. The average homeless dog lives an
average of three years. In those three years they can produce up to 60
offspring. Those pups struggle to survive with scarce food, threats from
predators, parasites, disease, and man.
In 2009 two residents of Alberta, Canada developed a pilot
program to implant a contraceptive under the skin of the homeless dogs living
on two First Nations reserves. To date, over one hundred dogs have been
successfully implanted and these implants have saved thousands of unwanted
litters of puppies being born.
The two women responsible for this effort are animal health
technologist Lori Rogers and
veterinarian Judith Samson-French. Dr. Samson-French has just published a book
titled “Dogs with No Names: In Pursuit of Courage” and 100 percent of the
proceeds of the book will go to support the project she helped develop.
What a wonderful answer to a problem that mankind has
ignored for too long, and what an amazing breakthrough in medicine to have the
ability to help our best friends face one less hardship.
Compiled from an article in the Spring 2013 Bark magazine.
To learn more about this project, and ways that you can help, buy this incredibly moving book, and help the lives on these dogs please see the link below
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