Do names matter? Yes, sometimes they matter a lot. In Costa Rica an organization that was rescuing stray dogs had trouble getting them adopted because most people thought pure breeds were more valuable than mutts. So the rescuers tried a new strategy: “When you adopt a mutt you adopt a unique breed.”
They had experts identify what breads were in each animal, and they created new names for each one. For instance a mixture of border collie, shetland sheepdog and cocker spaniel became a fire-tailed border collie. Other names were bunny-tailed Scottish shepterrier, shaggy shepherd dachspaniel, and chubby-tailed German dobernauzer. The strategy actually worked. Adoptions went up 1,400%.
Who said we humans aren’t crazy?
GENIUS!!!
just genius! whatever works to get them adopted.
how pathetic that people are so into PURE . . . when little mutts are the BEST!!!!
we have lots of pure breeds in shelters here. my darling zeke was a PON like angus’s.
our state is sadly… make that TRAGICALLY into puppy farms. it’s a crime.
i’ve written to congressmen about it. dinky rules and fines. and people still do it.
if people would just quit BUYING them. that would end it. but they want that “pure” breed. so stupid really.
Kaitlin reminded me that Sammy and his sister Banshee came from a supposed Golden Retriever rescue organization. They didn’t care about having pure breds, but they wanted the dogs to have the people-loving temperaments that Goldens are supposed to have. Sammy is more protective of his pack than happy to welcome strangers, but he’s still well-loved. And Montana was called a lab/shepherd mix. She has the personality and looks of a Manchester Terrier, which is a great match for their lifestyle. Labs and Golden Retrievers are some of the most popular breeds, so the labels were clearly designed to attract adopters. The main thing is the puppies found a good home and are well-loved.
I didn’t.
http://rummuser.com/?p=6822
🙂