Hey all,
This is some great news for Pit bulls and bullies breeds that are in shelters. I also like the Meet Your Match program that the ASPCA is doing. More on the flip side....
WOOF WOOF
The ASPCA (www.aspca.org) (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) will add a new dimension to the "valentine" theme this February, when it will launch an online contest for the "perfect pit bull and adopter match": the ASPCA's Adopt-A-Bull Contest, sponsored by Animal Farm Foundation.
Entries will be invited from both shelters and the public (who can nominate the shelters they adopted from), and will focus on adoptions of American Pit Bull Terriers and dogs that appear to be predominantly of that type, that have taken place through shelters using the ASPCA's Meet Your Match program. The ASPCA's Meet Your Match program is a scientific, research-based adoption tool aimed at creating better matches between prospective pet parents and animals based on accurate behavior assessments for the animals and understanding an individual adopter's lifestyle and expectations. Meet Your Match is proven to be extremely successful in increasing adoptions and reducing returns at shelters.
The contest will run four times through the year, with one winner announced for each quarter. Each winner will automatically be entered into a contest for the grand prize. The grand prize winner will then be selected in 2009 via an online public vote. The prize package for quarterly winners includes a $4000 grant for the shelter, and an ASPCA Collection gift package for the winning pit bull-adopter match. The grand prize shelter winner will receive an all expense paid trip to New York City in April 2009 to participate in the ASPCA's third annual ASPCA Day celebration and a $5000 grant for their shelter. The grand prize pit bull and adopter winner will receive a photoshoot with a professional photographer and a bronze of their pet.
The Meet Your Match program is really awesome. They temperment and personality test the dogs and put color coded cards on the kennel. When you come into adopt you take a survey that helps you figure out what type of dog is best for you. You are then given a color code so you can go look at those dogs that match your color first.
Meet your Match
The Meet Your Match™ Canine-ality™/Puppy-ality™ assessment begins with an initial MYM SAFER™ (Safety Assessment for Evaluating Rehoming) behavior screening to make sure each pooch is a good candidate for adoption. Dogs are then tested on their friendliness, playfulness, energy level, motivation and drive, and placed into one of nine color-coded Canine- or Puppy-alities. Some pooches are laid-back "Couch Potatoes," others are curious "Busy Bees," and then there are the action hero "Go-Getter" types.
As an adopter, you also get a color based on your preferences and lifestyle. On your visit to the adoption facility, you’re given a purple, orange or green guest pass to match the pets who might suit you best. You don’t always have to go with your own color, but at least you’ll know who you’re mixing with!
They have it setup for dogs, puppies and even cats. It seems to be getting good reviews:
"This was the first time I have ever gotten a cat who matched my personality."
"I wanted a friendly and affectionate pet who liked to cuddle, and she is all that and so much more. I just adore her!"
"The program helped me decide who was right for me. ... [My cat] behaves exactly as they said she would."
"I liked that there was a process that matched your personality to the animal's personality. Got just the cat we were wanting."
This program is aimed at lowering the amount of returns to the shelter because the animals do not match the owners personalities. I think this is a great program as it is very hard to be objective when you are staring at tons of sad puppy or kitty eyes. This way you can look at the color and go "Well he/she is cute but that is not the right dog for me."
So anyone looking for a new furkid, go try this program out if it is in your shelter and let us know what you think. I am really hoping the 4 time a year Adopt a Bull program will help counteract some of the bad press.
Chaos