The Devaluation of a Species
                     Companion animal homelessness perpetuates companion animal homelessness

    There is a force at work in young, developing minds that is called, among other things, "Value Programming".  It is generally accepted that up until what is referred to as "the age of reason" (approximately 7 years) a child forms and solidifies its core values.  Once formed, these core values are highly resistant to modification.  This can either be a good thing or a bad thing.
    What determines what these values look like in the now-reasoning child, teen, young adult, parent or senior citizen is what they were exposed to and surrounded by as a very young child,  Parents, don't despair.  All of your hard work "bringin' 'em up right" is not in vain and will have a hugely beneficial effect on your child, maybe not right now while he or she is busy rebelling but those values, principles and beliefs will be there, 'most likely, for a lifetime to positively impact your child's decisions and choices years down the road.  Like most everything else though, this can have a downside.  In the case of a child brought up in an abusive environment, this behavior and lifestyle becomes, over the formative years, the norm once those values have solidified.  This explains why "battered women's syndrome" is so difficult to combat.
    Okay, so you're probably thinking right now;  "Hmmm, interesting but what does all of this have to do with dogs and other companion animals?"  Well, think of it.  Here in the southeast, as well as other parts of the country and world, a dog or cat can generally live in the wild year-'round and raise to adulthood (and sexual maturity) litter after litter of young'uns.  We have here a self-sustaining population of homeless and feral animals that can and do become a problem, carrying disease, destroying property and posing a serious hazard on the highways.  This condition has existed for countless human generations and so each new generation grows through their formative years surrounded by, as the societal norm, dirty, hungry, sick and diseased companion animals who are often viewed as ground up carcasses in the highway or a buzzard feast along side of it.  Values are being programmed in your child to say, "This is normal, always been that way"!  Having grown up with this scenario as "normal", it is much more difficult for your now-adult offspring to look upon a companion animal as a source of love and companionship and much easier to remain apathetic toward the plight of these homeless pets.  Remember, you've been programmed to believe that this is normal.  So what are your thoughts on spaying/neutering as a humane means of population control?  Don't really care?  Not worth the time, money and effort?  Given our value-programming, this should be no great surprise.
    Nobody is really to blame here, it's merely a situation that exists but that doesn't mean it's right and needs to be perpetuated.  What has happened here is that, for generations, companion animals' worth has been consistently devalued in the eyes of humans.  No wonder then that seeking a humane solution to their overpopulation and suffering is not a priority and thus, companion animal homelessness perpetuates companion animal homelessness.
    What can be done?  Well, fortunately, we can change our core values.  Think about the convicted murderer in prison who finds religion and turns his/her life around.  Changing our core beliefs does take this sort of epiphany though but it can be done with a conscious effort and genuine commitment.  Spending a day at GARD rescue sites pulling dogs from horrendous conditions might motivate you, it's the stuff nightmares are made of.  Whatever you do. the first step in solving a problem is to admit that there is a problem. 
    Whether or not you can impact your own belief-system, you have a real opportunity with your youngsters!  There is a whole field of education geared toward teaching humane values called, not surprisingly, Humane Education".  Since its inception, GARD has recognized and identified this aspect of animal rescue as one of its three primary mission goals but the reality is that our #1 goal, the actual physical rescue and re homing of at-risk animals has always consumed the entirety of our resources (including, sometimes, the grocery money) and probably will for some time to come.  There are, however, a number of up building things (most of them  fun) that you and your children can do to help break this disastrous cycle of devaluation.
    I would first direct you to the "Kids Links" section of the GARD website ( www.gardonline.org ) as a good starting point.  You'll find there an interesting mix of fun, safe websites geared to teach and promote humane ethics.  Take some time with your kids to explore the concepts presented there in the form of games, puzzles and videos.  There is nothing to lose and everything to gain and, at the very least, you will have spent some quality time with your children.  You may even find yourself modifying some of your own programmed-in preconceptions.  There's more yet!  As the parent of a school-age child/children, talk with your educators about humane education in the schools.  The Humane Society ( www.hsus.org ) has some very good programs tailor-made for various school-age groups and is hugely supportive.  Ask questions and make suggestions at your parent-teacher groups.  Talk to other like-minded parents.  Form a club.  Try to involve your church, library or civic group.  Your group will always be welcome to come to our shelter to visit our rescued dogs and discuss issues that homeless/abandoned/abused/neglected/feral companion animals face.  It will be a great learning experience for all and, again, some quality time spent with your children.
    Lastly, if you're highly motivated and have the qualifications, join us here at GARD Inc. volunteering as our Humane Education Coordinator.  Talk with my mom or dad (Joy or Philip).  They treat me like the princess that I am and would dearly love for everyone to get as much out of their relationship with their pet(s) as they do.