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Dogland: A Journey to the Heart of America's Dog Problem
Soon after Jacki Skole brought home an eight-week-old puppy from a New Jersey rescue organization, she wondered how such a young animal could have so many idiosyncrasies—so she set out to find an answer. Dogland, an extraordinary mix of memoir and investigative journalism, follows Skole’s journey to trace the origins of her newest family member.
Along the way, Skole interviewed dozens who work in the world of animal rescue—from shelter managers to animal rights activists—taking readers from dilapidated county-run shelters in the South to strip malls in the Northeast where rescue groups seek homes for homeless pets, and from rural and urban “vet deserts” to the very heart of the South’s complex relationship with companion dogs.
Amid the serious issues facing shelter dogs in America, Skole found tireless animal advocates and humble visionaries who believe their ideas and their passion can save canine lives throughout the South—and the entire United States.
Along the way, Skole interviewed dozens who work in the world of animal rescue—from shelter managers to animal rights activists—taking readers from dilapidated county-run shelters in the South to strip malls in the Northeast where rescue groups seek homes for homeless pets, and from rural and urban “vet deserts” to the very heart of the South’s complex relationship with companion dogs.
Amid the serious issues facing shelter dogs in America, Skole found tireless animal advocates and humble visionaries who believe their ideas and their passion can save canine lives throughout the South—and the entire United States.
257 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2015
6 people are currently reading
783 people want to read
About the author
Jacki Skole
1 book21 followersJacki Skole is an award-winning journalist and adjunct professor of communication. She launched her journalism career at CNN, first as a news writer, then as a producer in the network’s documentary unit; she’s also produced programs for Animal Planet and HGTV. Jacki has taught media studies at La Salle University, Rider University, and Raritan Valley Community College.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 9, 2015
Jacki Skole opens and closes her book with her search for how her rescued dog happened to make the journey from a shelter in North Carolina to her home in New Jersey. In the course of that search, she takes the reader on a tour of how canine (and, tangentially feline) overpopulation is handled in this country. As a journalist, her expose mostly focuses on the eastern half of the USA, noting in particular some differences in how companion animals are viewed in the North and in the South. I hadn't thought about these differences, but living in a state that is considered to be southern (although it kind of borders the Midwest at its northern edge), I would say her description of the southern view is what I have witnessed in the rural parts of the state, if less so in its largest urban area. Let me tell you of my personal experience. While living in a middle-class urban area, most people I knew treated their dogs as members of the family (the northern approach, according to the author). The dogs were usually neutered, vaccinated, and walked (rather than keeping them tethered or letting them roam). During the time we lived in a more rural area, we had neighbors who kept two dogs chained to dog houses. After a couple of years those dogs disappeared (I never knew where), but the family later acquired a puppy from the flea market. This dog was allowed to roam and was not neutered, so when it met a stray female, it fathered puppies. Our other neighbor had a dog who was well-trained to stay around his property, but was kept in a kennel with a dog house at night. This dog also was not neutered and fathered a litter of puppies with another neighbor's dog. To their credit, the owners of the female dog had her spayed after that litter was weaned. What I saw perfectly matches Ms. Skole's descriptions. She says the culture of the South views a dog as property which can be disposed of when no longer useful or when circumstances make keeping the dog difficult. Litters of unwanted pups are either killed or dumped. Neutering is often too expensive or is simply unavailable in rural areas. Hence we have overpopulation of shelters leading to high euthanasia rates. Some rescue groups pick up litters of pups from shelters in the South and transport them to the North for adoption, which is how the author got her dog. This all sounds pretty grim, but the author set out to see how changes could be made and she profiles some organizations that have made a real difference in their areas. Among them, and one of my favorites, is the "Homeless Pet Clubs" , an organization which was founded by a veterinarian, Michael Good, in Cobb County, Georgia. The clubs are set up as an extracurricular activity at schools. Here is how Ms. Skole explains them:
"Once a club is formed, members choose a dog or cat from a shelter that had agreed to become a Homeless Pet Club partner, thereby promising not to euthanize any animal being sponsored. The club then harnesses the power of social media and good old-fashioned word-of-mouth to tell the animal's story to members' families and friends, who, it is hoped, will then share the story with their families and friends, and so on, and so on, and so on. Once a home for the pet is found, members choose another dog or cat, and the process repeats itself over and over again....Per Good's plan, there is also a learning component to the clubs. Students need to understand why there are so many homeless pets in shelters, and so even in the earliest grades they are introduced to the concepts of spaying and neutering. 'We need to change the culture. We need to save lives. And spay/neuter is the basis for all of this,' Good told me. " (pages 195-196)
Above everything else, as the author makes clear, neutering is the solution. She talks about programs with free or very low-cost neutering, often set up in shelters. In some areas, veterinarians resist because they see them as competition, but in areas where this approach is successfully done, lots of vets get on board to either offer their services or to support vets who do strictly these high-volumes surgeries. She talked about one program that sends people out door-to-door, particularly in poorer neighborhoods, to offer to pick up dogs and take them to be neutered, returning them the next day, all for no charge. One program director noted a sentiment that is apparently heard often, that is, ..."that at its core, it enables society's 'takers'. Sometimes...the criticism even comes from veterinary students who go into volunteering with the perspective that if you're homeless you're lazy, or if you don't have money you don't deserve a pet. 'So I ask the student, Do rich people love their pets? Because Michael Vick had a lot of money, and I don't think he loved his pets. Should he have had as many as he wanted because he had all that money?' Then I tell them that money has nothing to do with love and care. And that it takes a strong person to come to us and say, 'I need help'. And then I send the student to talk to the people, and you start to see it in the student's eyes that he gets it. And we ask students to stop stereotyping, to stop being so judgmental, and to open up their hearts." (pages 157-158)
As a dog lover, this book was a real eye-opener. Because the author is a journalist, you get all of the facts, but with the human-interest element included, so it is very readable. I think other animal lovers will want to read it too. I was provided with a digital ARC by the publisher, but I also purchased a copy to pass on because I think the topic is important. The author includes a couple of helpful appendices with advice on how to judge whether a rescue organization is reputable (and not a scam to make money) and a list or organizations which are addressing this country's dog problem in constructive ways so that the reader can, as the author says, "pay it forward". She also has some lovely photos of her own dogs (past and present). Since she mentions them often in her story, I loved seeing their images.
"Once a club is formed, members choose a dog or cat from a shelter that had agreed to become a Homeless Pet Club partner, thereby promising not to euthanize any animal being sponsored. The club then harnesses the power of social media and good old-fashioned word-of-mouth to tell the animal's story to members' families and friends, who, it is hoped, will then share the story with their families and friends, and so on, and so on, and so on. Once a home for the pet is found, members choose another dog or cat, and the process repeats itself over and over again....Per Good's plan, there is also a learning component to the clubs. Students need to understand why there are so many homeless pets in shelters, and so even in the earliest grades they are introduced to the concepts of spaying and neutering. 'We need to change the culture. We need to save lives. And spay/neuter is the basis for all of this,' Good told me. " (pages 195-196)
Above everything else, as the author makes clear, neutering is the solution. She talks about programs with free or very low-cost neutering, often set up in shelters. In some areas, veterinarians resist because they see them as competition, but in areas where this approach is successfully done, lots of vets get on board to either offer their services or to support vets who do strictly these high-volumes surgeries. She talked about one program that sends people out door-to-door, particularly in poorer neighborhoods, to offer to pick up dogs and take them to be neutered, returning them the next day, all for no charge. One program director noted a sentiment that is apparently heard often, that is, ..."that at its core, it enables society's 'takers'. Sometimes...the criticism even comes from veterinary students who go into volunteering with the perspective that if you're homeless you're lazy, or if you don't have money you don't deserve a pet. 'So I ask the student, Do rich people love their pets? Because Michael Vick had a lot of money, and I don't think he loved his pets. Should he have had as many as he wanted because he had all that money?' Then I tell them that money has nothing to do with love and care. And that it takes a strong person to come to us and say, 'I need help'. And then I send the student to talk to the people, and you start to see it in the student's eyes that he gets it. And we ask students to stop stereotyping, to stop being so judgmental, and to open up their hearts." (pages 157-158)
As a dog lover, this book was a real eye-opener. Because the author is a journalist, you get all of the facts, but with the human-interest element included, so it is very readable. I think other animal lovers will want to read it too. I was provided with a digital ARC by the publisher, but I also purchased a copy to pass on because I think the topic is important. The author includes a couple of helpful appendices with advice on how to judge whether a rescue organization is reputable (and not a scam to make money) and a list or organizations which are addressing this country's dog problem in constructive ways so that the reader can, as the author says, "pay it forward". She also has some lovely photos of her own dogs (past and present). Since she mentions them often in her story, I loved seeing their images.
August 2, 2015
We recently welcomed a puppy to our family -- a shelter mutt from Arkansas who was transported to the Northeast for adoption by a rescue group based in our state. During the adoption process, I was mainly focused on whether or not we would be picked from several applicants to adopt our chosen puppy and didn't think much about where she came from, why she was being adopted up here instead of in Arkansas, or why it seemed like so many of the dogs I saw online came from the South. In reading Dogland, I feel I know more about my own puppy's story. We were told she was one of a litter of six found in a box in the woods, which I now know is a common practice in rural areas. Unplanned, unwanted litters are "set out" to be found by someone else, to die, or to fend for themselves, whatever happens first. I can't even say how happy I am my puppy was one of the lucky ones.
In Dogland, Jacki Skole describes a very similar experience in adopting her dog Galen. When Galen develops several personality quirks, Jacki beings to look into where her puppy came from and discovers a fascinating series of circumstances that contribute to the South's (and indeed, the country's) overpopulation of dogs. During her research, Jacki interviews people involved in a wide range of services, from rescue groups and shelters in both the North and South to veterinarians and volunteers. She looks at regional attitude differences toward animals and the spay/neuter rates as well as the various ways communities are addressing these problems. While the issues leading to overcrowded shelters and high euthanasia rates seems insurmountable, it is heartening to read about people who work hard to really make a difference.
Before reading Dogland, I was afraid parts of it might be too graphic. I did not want to read stories about suffering dogs or dogs that were being put down. Jacki keeps these types of stories broad for the most part, being honest without being overly graphic. She does not try to use shock value, and while the nature of the topic naturally leads to sad stories, you aren't pounded in the face with it. For example, Jacki does discuss the terrible people who claim to be rescuers but simply pull puppies from crowded shelters to transport north and sell without any vetting, health checks, or proper care. She also touches on rescuers who become animal hoarders. While these stories can be hard to read, I did not feel Jacki was being gratuitously or needlessly heavy handed with the harsher details.
I do wish Jacki had talked a bit about how to avoid falling victim to a rescue that is in business for money, not to save lives. I did some internet searching and found lists of "red flags" to look for when dealing with a rescue group. While Jacki touches on such websites, a couple of paragraphs with more details on what to watch out for would have been great.
One thing I think Jacki conveys well is that there are many different ways to help homeless dogs no matter where you live. If the idea of going into a shelter and seeing first hand the tragedy of unwanted pets is more than you can handle but you can't afford to make donations, there are other ways to get involved. School programs, fostering, educating pet owners about resources available in times of need, etc.
On a side note, I am not convinced that Jacki's quirky dog was born that way. Maybe I've been spending too much time watching dog training videos and reading dog training books (I am by no means an expert), but it seems to me like Jacki adopted a fearful, insecure dog and her family probably, in their well meaning way, reinforced these traits rather than giving the dog confidence and training through leadership. For example, at one point she describes the dog having a new fear of thunderstorms. As the dog nervously shakes and whimpers through the thunder, the family sits with the dog to pet and comfort her as if she were another child. They were accidentally teaching the dog that her fear is an acceptable response and reinforcing the behavior. Our puppy was also initially terrified of guests in our home, especially men. She was afraid of stairways and our basement, easily startled by noise, and balked at getting into the car. Rather than baby her or let her fears change what we do, we either ignored her fear or rewarded her courage and calmness. She is now 8 months old and the only thing she's scared of is the sound of my 10 year old practicing the drums (and who can blame her?).
That being said, I am glad Jacki's dog has her quirks because it led to this interesting look at the many different sides of dog overpopulation. If you read this book and enjoy it, you may also want to check out a documentary on HBO called "One Nation Under Dog."
Overall, I think Dogland is a well written and thoughtful look at what is truly an epidemic in America. Countless numbers of healthy, adoptable dogs (and cats) are killed every day in an attempt to make room at crowded shelters. Others are disposed of in less humane ways by owners who see animals as property, not companions. Whether you want to learn about ways to help or have adopted a rescue dog and are curious about why such rescues even exist, Dogland is a great place to start. I hope it encourages communities to consider using programs that are successful in other areas.
I was provided a digital copy of this book at no cost.
In Dogland, Jacki Skole describes a very similar experience in adopting her dog Galen. When Galen develops several personality quirks, Jacki beings to look into where her puppy came from and discovers a fascinating series of circumstances that contribute to the South's (and indeed, the country's) overpopulation of dogs. During her research, Jacki interviews people involved in a wide range of services, from rescue groups and shelters in both the North and South to veterinarians and volunteers. She looks at regional attitude differences toward animals and the spay/neuter rates as well as the various ways communities are addressing these problems. While the issues leading to overcrowded shelters and high euthanasia rates seems insurmountable, it is heartening to read about people who work hard to really make a difference.
Before reading Dogland, I was afraid parts of it might be too graphic. I did not want to read stories about suffering dogs or dogs that were being put down. Jacki keeps these types of stories broad for the most part, being honest without being overly graphic. She does not try to use shock value, and while the nature of the topic naturally leads to sad stories, you aren't pounded in the face with it. For example, Jacki does discuss the terrible people who claim to be rescuers but simply pull puppies from crowded shelters to transport north and sell without any vetting, health checks, or proper care. She also touches on rescuers who become animal hoarders. While these stories can be hard to read, I did not feel Jacki was being gratuitously or needlessly heavy handed with the harsher details.
I do wish Jacki had talked a bit about how to avoid falling victim to a rescue that is in business for money, not to save lives. I did some internet searching and found lists of "red flags" to look for when dealing with a rescue group. While Jacki touches on such websites, a couple of paragraphs with more details on what to watch out for would have been great.
One thing I think Jacki conveys well is that there are many different ways to help homeless dogs no matter where you live. If the idea of going into a shelter and seeing first hand the tragedy of unwanted pets is more than you can handle but you can't afford to make donations, there are other ways to get involved. School programs, fostering, educating pet owners about resources available in times of need, etc.
On a side note, I am not convinced that Jacki's quirky dog was born that way. Maybe I've been spending too much time watching dog training videos and reading dog training books (I am by no means an expert), but it seems to me like Jacki adopted a fearful, insecure dog and her family probably, in their well meaning way, reinforced these traits rather than giving the dog confidence and training through leadership. For example, at one point she describes the dog having a new fear of thunderstorms. As the dog nervously shakes and whimpers through the thunder, the family sits with the dog to pet and comfort her as if she were another child. They were accidentally teaching the dog that her fear is an acceptable response and reinforcing the behavior. Our puppy was also initially terrified of guests in our home, especially men. She was afraid of stairways and our basement, easily startled by noise, and balked at getting into the car. Rather than baby her or let her fears change what we do, we either ignored her fear or rewarded her courage and calmness. She is now 8 months old and the only thing she's scared of is the sound of my 10 year old practicing the drums (and who can blame her?).
That being said, I am glad Jacki's dog has her quirks because it led to this interesting look at the many different sides of dog overpopulation. If you read this book and enjoy it, you may also want to check out a documentary on HBO called "One Nation Under Dog."
Overall, I think Dogland is a well written and thoughtful look at what is truly an epidemic in America. Countless numbers of healthy, adoptable dogs (and cats) are killed every day in an attempt to make room at crowded shelters. Others are disposed of in less humane ways by owners who see animals as property, not companions. Whether you want to learn about ways to help or have adopted a rescue dog and are curious about why such rescues even exist, Dogland is a great place to start. I hope it encourages communities to consider using programs that are successful in other areas.
I was provided a digital copy of this book at no cost.
January 5, 2016
Many people adopt a rescue dog, but few attempt to track down where that dog came from. Jacki Skole became interested in the six-week old pup her family named Galen. She wanted to know about Galen’s history and was curious about the pup’s submissive and fearful behavior. She questioned why a North Carolina dog was up for adoption in a New Jersey garden supply store. What she found was a story and a passion. And some surprising answers.
We’ve all heard horror stories of the huge numbers of dogs put to death in U.S. shelters. Skole worked hard to move past shelter directors’ distrust to listen to their stories. She interviewed a rescuer turned hoarder and even tracked down the home that produced her rescued dog and learned a lot along the way about shelters and spay/neuter programs. By researching successful programs, she uncovered possible solutions to our country's "dog problem."
She learned about dogs brought from southern states to the Northeast where adoptions are more likely. Her research mostly covers the problem on the East Coast though she mentions one Native American reservation and Floyd County, Virginia, where I once lived with my dogs.
Skole is not afraid to say that not all rescue organizations are admirable and an appendix to her book lists "Tips for Finding a Reputable Rescue" as well as a list of programs that prove innovative ideas can make a difference.
An advocate of fostering and volunteering in local shelters, Skole offers a fresh look at dog owner education, spay/neuter programs, and how some shelters achieve more successful adoptions through required training courses. The situation in the South and Southeast may not be the same as issues facing Arizona, but if there's a chance some of her "solutions" could work here, they deserve a try.
Dogland is a book that needs to be read and discussed by concerned people involved in rescue.
We’ve all heard horror stories of the huge numbers of dogs put to death in U.S. shelters. Skole worked hard to move past shelter directors’ distrust to listen to their stories. She interviewed a rescuer turned hoarder and even tracked down the home that produced her rescued dog and learned a lot along the way about shelters and spay/neuter programs. By researching successful programs, she uncovered possible solutions to our country's "dog problem."
She learned about dogs brought from southern states to the Northeast where adoptions are more likely. Her research mostly covers the problem on the East Coast though she mentions one Native American reservation and Floyd County, Virginia, where I once lived with my dogs.
Skole is not afraid to say that not all rescue organizations are admirable and an appendix to her book lists "Tips for Finding a Reputable Rescue" as well as a list of programs that prove innovative ideas can make a difference.
An advocate of fostering and volunteering in local shelters, Skole offers a fresh look at dog owner education, spay/neuter programs, and how some shelters achieve more successful adoptions through required training courses. The situation in the South and Southeast may not be the same as issues facing Arizona, but if there's a chance some of her "solutions" could work here, they deserve a try.
Dogland is a book that needs to be read and discussed by concerned people involved in rescue.
December 31, 2016
This is the book I had hoped to write one day. A woman adopts a dog from a rescue group in central New Jersey. Curious about the dog's history, she traces its roots back to the rural south and, more precisely, to the family that surrendered the dog and its littermates to a shelter in North Carolina. Along the way, the author, Jacki Skole, uncovers the harsh realities that face America's six to eight million homeless pets and argues that a lack of spay/neuter awareness is the root of our nation's dog problem.
Skole did some solid reporting for this book, interviewing dozens of animal-welfare advocates—from shelter workers to rescue volunteers to national campaign organizers. She learns of a culture in the rural south that treats dogs as property, not pets. With this in mind, some dog owners say the government can't tell them what to do with their property, including meeting requirements for licenses, vaccines, and spay/neuter. Some of these dog owners tie up their unfixed pets outdoors on tethers or allow them to roam free. And, a few months later, surprise—they’re left with a litter of puppies that, in the best cases are rehomed to family and friends, and in worst cases are surrendered to a high-kill shelter, left in a box at the side of the road to fend for themselves, or are brutally killed by the ill-intentioned.
To combat this issue, Skole points to the importance of high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter clinics that make fixing a pet more affordable and accessible to low-income families. But did you know that some of the most prominent opponents to these clinics are veterinarians, fearing they will lose business? In truth, most of the people who use these clinics do not—and cannot afford to—frequent regular veterinarians.
The author highlights some innovative work done by both local and national organizations, including a grassroots campaign by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) that targets specific zip codes known to have a high percentage of unfixed dogs. The HSUS workers go door-to-door offering pet owners free spay/neuter vouchers, transportation to clinics, and other supplies for their pets. Skole also features county shelters that—in concert with local schools—have launched valiant efforts in humane education to instill lessons about animal welfare in the youngest dog lovers among us. On the flip side, she also sheds light on what some organizations are doing wrong, notably improperly run and less-than-ethical rescue groups that "adopt” out sick puppies and pocket the profits.
Having been involved in rescue work myself, I was struck by Skole's argument that rescue is just a Band-Aid. Rescue volunteers typically see the end of a dog's journey from discarded homeless dog to beloved family pet—the warm-and-fuzzy part. What they don't see is the process of surrender (an owner who brings litter after litter of puppies to a shelter because he doesn't want to spay his free-roaming female dog) or the gruesome work of high-kill shelter workers as they euthanize 80 to 90 percent of pets that come through their shelter’s door. Don’t get me wrong. Rescue plays a critical role in reducing euthanasia rates. But if we don't address the heart of the problem, then we'll be forced into an endless cycle of rescue.
For all its merits, Skole's work also has holes. Some of the writing is stilted. (Several instances of "In X's book, she says Y" occasionally makes her writing sound like a research paper.) She glosses over objections to transporting dogs from the south to the northeast where dogs are in higher demand by adopters. She also focuses on the eastern part of the country with little mention of problems and efforts outside of this region, but that’s likely by design. And because she is so focused on spay/neuter as the cause of America's dog problem, Skole discounts the factor of people choosing to buy instead of adopt. According to the ASPCA, 28 percent of dogs are purchased from breeders. Certainly the fate of many homeless dogs would be different if those people decided to adopt instead of shop.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who is curious about the millions of homeless pets that find themselves in America's shelters each year. Skole has given them a voice, and it’s one that ought to be heard. And if you're involved in rescue, this book will remind you of the importance of your work and also make you question some of your beliefs about both what you do and how you do it.
Skole did some solid reporting for this book, interviewing dozens of animal-welfare advocates—from shelter workers to rescue volunteers to national campaign organizers. She learns of a culture in the rural south that treats dogs as property, not pets. With this in mind, some dog owners say the government can't tell them what to do with their property, including meeting requirements for licenses, vaccines, and spay/neuter. Some of these dog owners tie up their unfixed pets outdoors on tethers or allow them to roam free. And, a few months later, surprise—they’re left with a litter of puppies that, in the best cases are rehomed to family and friends, and in worst cases are surrendered to a high-kill shelter, left in a box at the side of the road to fend for themselves, or are brutally killed by the ill-intentioned.
To combat this issue, Skole points to the importance of high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter clinics that make fixing a pet more affordable and accessible to low-income families. But did you know that some of the most prominent opponents to these clinics are veterinarians, fearing they will lose business? In truth, most of the people who use these clinics do not—and cannot afford to—frequent regular veterinarians.
The author highlights some innovative work done by both local and national organizations, including a grassroots campaign by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) that targets specific zip codes known to have a high percentage of unfixed dogs. The HSUS workers go door-to-door offering pet owners free spay/neuter vouchers, transportation to clinics, and other supplies for their pets. Skole also features county shelters that—in concert with local schools—have launched valiant efforts in humane education to instill lessons about animal welfare in the youngest dog lovers among us. On the flip side, she also sheds light on what some organizations are doing wrong, notably improperly run and less-than-ethical rescue groups that "adopt” out sick puppies and pocket the profits.
Having been involved in rescue work myself, I was struck by Skole's argument that rescue is just a Band-Aid. Rescue volunteers typically see the end of a dog's journey from discarded homeless dog to beloved family pet—the warm-and-fuzzy part. What they don't see is the process of surrender (an owner who brings litter after litter of puppies to a shelter because he doesn't want to spay his free-roaming female dog) or the gruesome work of high-kill shelter workers as they euthanize 80 to 90 percent of pets that come through their shelter’s door. Don’t get me wrong. Rescue plays a critical role in reducing euthanasia rates. But if we don't address the heart of the problem, then we'll be forced into an endless cycle of rescue.
For all its merits, Skole's work also has holes. Some of the writing is stilted. (Several instances of "In X's book, she says Y" occasionally makes her writing sound like a research paper.) She glosses over objections to transporting dogs from the south to the northeast where dogs are in higher demand by adopters. She also focuses on the eastern part of the country with little mention of problems and efforts outside of this region, but that’s likely by design. And because she is so focused on spay/neuter as the cause of America's dog problem, Skole discounts the factor of people choosing to buy instead of adopt. According to the ASPCA, 28 percent of dogs are purchased from breeders. Certainly the fate of many homeless dogs would be different if those people decided to adopt instead of shop.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who is curious about the millions of homeless pets that find themselves in America's shelters each year. Skole has given them a voice, and it’s one that ought to be heard. And if you're involved in rescue, this book will remind you of the importance of your work and also make you question some of your beliefs about both what you do and how you do it.
October 21, 2017
I blogged this book chapter by chapter on my website, thepawreport.org. You can see my reading series posts here: https://thepawreport.org/category/rea...
This book is a must-read for animal advocates and anyone who wants to learn more about animal rescue and advocacy. It will also appeal to simply anyone who loves a good story about the way our pets shape our lives. Not only does this book have well-researched journalism in one of its main storylines, asking the question, "Why do we euthanize so many animals in our nation's shelters?", it also has a heartfelt, personal story of the author herself as she traces the history of one of her adopted dogs, Galen. I think almost every pet guardian has wondered where their pet came from and what kind of life they had before they were adopted. I know I've asked the question myself, of my cats. Well Dogland actually goes to answer that question.
More once I cried tears of sadness and tears of joy as I read this book. Learning about animals who didn't make it out of shelters, and the animals who did. The people who fight tirelessly to combat euthanasia rates on the frontlines of legislation, who transport animals across state lines, who go literally door to door in their community to educate. Author Jacki Skole did an incredible job of interviewing these people, and others, and weaving their stories together. Chapters followed each other logically and built off the previous ones. By the end, I felt like I had taken a trip around the country myself and personally knew everyone from the book.
I consider myself a pretty well-informed animal advocate and yet there was still a LOT of information in this book that I never knew. For example, I learned of so many inspiring programs around the country thanks to this book - programs that actually work to reduce pet overpopulation and euthanasia rates. This book comes with a great appendix of the organizations discussed so you can find out more information.
If you read this book, you will walk away feeling empowered by the knowledge and inspired with hope.
This book is a must-read for animal advocates and anyone who wants to learn more about animal rescue and advocacy. It will also appeal to simply anyone who loves a good story about the way our pets shape our lives. Not only does this book have well-researched journalism in one of its main storylines, asking the question, "Why do we euthanize so many animals in our nation's shelters?", it also has a heartfelt, personal story of the author herself as she traces the history of one of her adopted dogs, Galen. I think almost every pet guardian has wondered where their pet came from and what kind of life they had before they were adopted. I know I've asked the question myself, of my cats. Well Dogland actually goes to answer that question.
More once I cried tears of sadness and tears of joy as I read this book. Learning about animals who didn't make it out of shelters, and the animals who did. The people who fight tirelessly to combat euthanasia rates on the frontlines of legislation, who transport animals across state lines, who go literally door to door in their community to educate. Author Jacki Skole did an incredible job of interviewing these people, and others, and weaving their stories together. Chapters followed each other logically and built off the previous ones. By the end, I felt like I had taken a trip around the country myself and personally knew everyone from the book.
I consider myself a pretty well-informed animal advocate and yet there was still a LOT of information in this book that I never knew. For example, I learned of so many inspiring programs around the country thanks to this book - programs that actually work to reduce pet overpopulation and euthanasia rates. This book comes with a great appendix of the organizations discussed so you can find out more information.
If you read this book, you will walk away feeling empowered by the knowledge and inspired with hope.
September 20, 2015
I received a copy of this book as a First Reads book.
I absolutely loved this book. I've only given a very few five star reviews, but this book certainly deserves it. It thoughtfully delves into the world of animal rescue and examines it from all sides. Ms. Skole has done extensive research and provides multi-faceted solutions for reducing the number of healthy animals who are euthanized each year in this country.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone, especially to those who are quick to condemn, but slow to help or offer solutions.
I also must mention that the author states a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book goes to the organizations mentioned in it. There is also a list in the back of the book of their contact information. How wonderful and thoughtful is that??
I absolutely loved this book. I've only given a very few five star reviews, but this book certainly deserves it. It thoughtfully delves into the world of animal rescue and examines it from all sides. Ms. Skole has done extensive research and provides multi-faceted solutions for reducing the number of healthy animals who are euthanized each year in this country.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone, especially to those who are quick to condemn, but slow to help or offer solutions.
I also must mention that the author states a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book goes to the organizations mentioned in it. There is also a list in the back of the book of their contact information. How wonderful and thoughtful is that??
August 5, 2024
Although this book was written almost 10 years ago, sadly it could just as easily have been written today. As someone who has been involved with rescue and lives in a community nearby the author's, it was fun to read about organizations I am familiar with (though one had some issues after the book was published). This book could have been a total downer and there were parts that were difficult to read, but the author does a good job balancing explaining the problems with introducing the reader to dedicated individuals and groups who are implementing innovative solutions to the companion animal over population problem.
August 20, 2015
This is an elegantly written, well-reported book on a subject that left me gobsmacked. It would be very easy for a writer who delved into the very heart of this country's "dog problem" to leap upon a soapbox and beat her chest. Skole is too talented a writer to do anything like this. Instead, she has crafted a subtle, nuanced narrative that looks at the issue of overpopulation, kill shelters, rescue organizations shuttling dogs from southern states to northern states, and the cultural differences between dog ownership between these two regions. It's compelling from page one, since Skole's impetus for the book was the strange journey of her own rescue dog. But that element of memoir gives way to a rich, full-bodied nonfiction narrative, in which the reader is introduced to a whole cast of characters, each fully drawn. No easy conclusions are drawn here, and the complexities are never brushed aside. In particular, I'm thinking about the incisive reporting Skole does on some of the rescue organizations--well-meaning, responsible, no doubt, for countless dogs saved, but also, like any kind of organization, vulnerable to poor management and incompetence that can lead to abuse. I believe that another writer, with Skole's passion for the subject, might have been tempted to whitewash this kind of thing. Skole pays her reader, and her subject matter, the respect the comes from transparency and diligence in reporting.
But aside from the skilled reporting and the nuanced narrative, this is just a great read. There is tension throughout the book, as this is truly a journey. There's a mystery at the heart of this story--Jacki's beloved dog is actually "Daisy's Daughter." That's all she really knew about her pet's provenance. And it was that curiosity about her dog's journey from North Carolina to New Jersey that set her on this story. The stories we hear and the people we meet along the way could come straight out of any John McPhee book. To me, there really is no higher praise.
But aside from the skilled reporting and the nuanced narrative, this is just a great read. There is tension throughout the book, as this is truly a journey. There's a mystery at the heart of this story--Jacki's beloved dog is actually "Daisy's Daughter." That's all she really knew about her pet's provenance. And it was that curiosity about her dog's journey from North Carolina to New Jersey that set her on this story. The stories we hear and the people we meet along the way could come straight out of any John McPhee book. To me, there really is no higher praise.
August 11, 2015
DOGLAND is a nation changing book. It moves from one family's eventful selection of a rescue dog into a blueprint for sweeping and positive changes to help all rescue dogs and cats. The book inspires readers first to check the No-Kill policies of their local humane and rescue organizations, then to take needed actions. Choices range from phone calls, emails, and letters to editors questioning current policies and offering ideas for No-Kill, for dynamic Foster Care programs, and more.
Readers are challenged to figure out what WILL prevent more unwanted animal births. Maybe not allowing adoptions unless permanent or back-up residence with reference can be shown? Or, more radical changes like paying people to bring pets into a new new and vast network of Mobile Spay and Neuter Vans?
A much needed addition will be a Website showing, state-by-state, current progress on the ending of No-Kill Shelters, on setting up new Foster Care programs, etc. Addresses, phone numbers, and email contact information for government agencies as well as for Shelters would be kept active to show change. A Website would also include a yearly state-by-state euthanasia of healthy dogs and cats total numbers, with charts hopefully reflecting decreases.
Updates would include all programs which are working well.
Thank you for these profound truths.
Readers are challenged to figure out what WILL prevent more unwanted animal births. Maybe not allowing adoptions unless permanent or back-up residence with reference can be shown? Or, more radical changes like paying people to bring pets into a new new and vast network of Mobile Spay and Neuter Vans?
A much needed addition will be a Website showing, state-by-state, current progress on the ending of No-Kill Shelters, on setting up new Foster Care programs, etc. Addresses, phone numbers, and email contact information for government agencies as well as for Shelters would be kept active to show change. A Website would also include a yearly state-by-state euthanasia of healthy dogs and cats total numbers, with charts hopefully reflecting decreases.
Updates would include all programs which are working well.
Thank you for these profound truths.
February 17, 2016
This is essential reading for anyone involved in animal rescue and anyone who is remotely concerned with the huge rate of euthanasia in America of dogs and cats annually in shelters. It's eye opening, fact based and highly appreciative of the extraordinary work everyone from the rural animal control workers to the volunteer rescue movement are doing, which in essence is plugging a hole in a leaky bucket until the country comes up with a solution for ensuring the majority of dogs and cats are spayed and neutered.
March 13, 2016
Eye opening expose. So much progress has been made but so much work still to be done. This book was written about the "dog problem" but could just as easily been written about the "cat/kitten problem". The same issues exist there as well.
January 4, 2025
Spoiler: Dogland is about cats too!
I wish every American could read this book, or at least watch a 60 second video about the millions of homeless animals we kill each year because there are no homes for them. What a disgrace that this killing is at an all-time high. We humans are collectively responsible for ending the lives of such an enormous number of healthy sentient beings who want to play and love and be loved - while meanwhile allowing breeders to continue creating more animals.
Reading the true stories of animal heroes in the book brought tears to my eyes at times and inspired me to personally do more to help homeless animals. I immediately got the form to register for an ANIMAL FRIEND auto tag in Florida - promoting spaying and neutering.
Jacki's research was fascinating. I had an idea of some of the fraud and cruelty in the homeless animal "business" but was unaware of the huge numbers of dogs being immigrated from the south to the north. She makes a strong case for ending the animal rescue "silos" and having a centralized regulatory organization to bring legitimate rescues together for efficiency.
I enjoyed learning about the elementary school pet clubs. That made me very hopeful for the future and, like other reviewers, I long for a Dogland update. I'm wishing for a 20 year anniversary edition in 2030 since Galen's story began in 2010!
I wish every American could read this book, or at least watch a 60 second video about the millions of homeless animals we kill each year because there are no homes for them. What a disgrace that this killing is at an all-time high. We humans are collectively responsible for ending the lives of such an enormous number of healthy sentient beings who want to play and love and be loved - while meanwhile allowing breeders to continue creating more animals.
Reading the true stories of animal heroes in the book brought tears to my eyes at times and inspired me to personally do more to help homeless animals. I immediately got the form to register for an ANIMAL FRIEND auto tag in Florida - promoting spaying and neutering.
Jacki's research was fascinating. I had an idea of some of the fraud and cruelty in the homeless animal "business" but was unaware of the huge numbers of dogs being immigrated from the south to the north. She makes a strong case for ending the animal rescue "silos" and having a centralized regulatory organization to bring legitimate rescues together for efficiency.
I enjoyed learning about the elementary school pet clubs. That made me very hopeful for the future and, like other reviewers, I long for a Dogland update. I'm wishing for a 20 year anniversary edition in 2030 since Galen's story began in 2010!
August 22, 2017
Very similar to other books about dog (& cat) rescue organizations. Was very well written and researched. It did offer an interesting perspective of prevention for dog overpopulation. Most books of this nature focus primarily on spay/neuter programs. This book proposed a lot more education and outreach.
Definitely worth a read for anyone interested in dog rescue or how to solve the dog overpopulation problem.
Definitely worth a read for anyone interested in dog rescue or how to solve the dog overpopulation problem.
December 6, 2017
Week 47 of the 2017 Reading Challenge: A book that has been or is being read by a book club. This book was also the Nov/Dec selection for my dog group Book Club.
It was a very well written book. For many people - like me - that have dogs transported from the south, it gave a really good background on where the dogs come from and how so many of them end up being transported north.
It was a very well written book. For many people - like me - that have dogs transported from the south, it gave a really good background on where the dogs come from and how so many of them end up being transported north.
June 15, 2023
Reviewed by Denise Brewer on www.rowanglassworks.org.
“Dogland: A Journey to the Heart of America’s Dog Problem” by Jacki Skole, the term “Man’s Best Friend” takes on a whole new meaning. Skole uses her journalism background and her love of animals to shed light on a topic that hits home for just about anyone who has ever brought a dog into their lives. It is during her search to find out the history of her recent four legged family addition, her dog Galen, that Skole begins to uncover something unfortunate: the truth that many dogs face once they arrive at a shelter and the urgent need for change in the animal shelter system.
Skole conducted countless interviews with shelter directors, workers, veterinarians, and even rescue groups who all have the same goal, to help reduce the overcrowding situation of shelters across the country. She purposely spoke to those directly related to the very places classified as “high-kill” shelters, like Reggie Horton. Horton has been the administrator of the Gaston County shelter in North Carolina for almost twenty years and has had to deal with the “high-kill” label put upon his facility by the public. It is because of such labels that she is first met with some apprehension. She tells us that she is not at all surprised by their initial reaction; many times local shelters are scrutinized by the public for what is believed to be inhumane treatment of the animals while at these facilities. But it was during Skole’s interview with Horton, that she learned that the shelters euthanasia rate went from an astronomical 90 percent in the early 2000’s to dipping just below 50 percent in 2011. This was the first time in the shelter’s history, and it is due in part to rescue groups located outside the state stepping in to help.
Skole also spoke with many people who support the spay and neuter cause, and thus is able to report firsthand the way that animals are looked upon as property and not as family members, especially in the Southern parts of the country. She states that this way of thinking is undoubtedly a contributing factor to the lack of spayed and neutered dogs in these areas, a problem that directly feeds the overpopulation of animals in shelters.
This book is well researched, quoting many facts and figures that help support her belief for change, such as the development of the very first modern animal shelter in the U.S., which opened in Philadelphia in 1869. The founders Caroline White and Henry Bergh saw the need for a more humane way to deal with animal overcrowding and helped to create what was then considered a safer haven for animals. Or to the fact that an animals temperament changes the longer they are at the shelter, this in turn makes it much harder for them to become adopted. She also states that a study commissioned by Gaston County in 2002 found that the shelter overpopulation was indeed being driven by the accidental liters from the mating of “backyard dogs,” also known as “oops liters.” It is because of her journalism background that Skole was able to conduct these eye opening and honest interviews. It is not just her interviews, but also her use of shelter statistics, that help us have a better understanding of the countless number of people who are dedicating their lives to bringing an end to the overcrowding and senseless euthanizing of not only dogs, but animals in general.
Dogland will inspire its readers to want to bring about change in the shelter system, demand only no-kill facilities and present ideas to address the lack of spay & neuter clinics. As an animal lover I too was inspired by the drive and persistence she showed during her quest for the truth. Dogland is a truly compelling book that will have you driving to the nearest shelter to offer a hand or a paw in anyway you can.
“Dogland: A Journey to the Heart of America’s Dog Problem” by Jacki Skole, the term “Man’s Best Friend” takes on a whole new meaning. Skole uses her journalism background and her love of animals to shed light on a topic that hits home for just about anyone who has ever brought a dog into their lives. It is during her search to find out the history of her recent four legged family addition, her dog Galen, that Skole begins to uncover something unfortunate: the truth that many dogs face once they arrive at a shelter and the urgent need for change in the animal shelter system.
Skole conducted countless interviews with shelter directors, workers, veterinarians, and even rescue groups who all have the same goal, to help reduce the overcrowding situation of shelters across the country. She purposely spoke to those directly related to the very places classified as “high-kill” shelters, like Reggie Horton. Horton has been the administrator of the Gaston County shelter in North Carolina for almost twenty years and has had to deal with the “high-kill” label put upon his facility by the public. It is because of such labels that she is first met with some apprehension. She tells us that she is not at all surprised by their initial reaction; many times local shelters are scrutinized by the public for what is believed to be inhumane treatment of the animals while at these facilities. But it was during Skole’s interview with Horton, that she learned that the shelters euthanasia rate went from an astronomical 90 percent in the early 2000’s to dipping just below 50 percent in 2011. This was the first time in the shelter’s history, and it is due in part to rescue groups located outside the state stepping in to help.
Skole also spoke with many people who support the spay and neuter cause, and thus is able to report firsthand the way that animals are looked upon as property and not as family members, especially in the Southern parts of the country. She states that this way of thinking is undoubtedly a contributing factor to the lack of spayed and neutered dogs in these areas, a problem that directly feeds the overpopulation of animals in shelters.
This book is well researched, quoting many facts and figures that help support her belief for change, such as the development of the very first modern animal shelter in the U.S., which opened in Philadelphia in 1869. The founders Caroline White and Henry Bergh saw the need for a more humane way to deal with animal overcrowding and helped to create what was then considered a safer haven for animals. Or to the fact that an animals temperament changes the longer they are at the shelter, this in turn makes it much harder for them to become adopted. She also states that a study commissioned by Gaston County in 2002 found that the shelter overpopulation was indeed being driven by the accidental liters from the mating of “backyard dogs,” also known as “oops liters.” It is because of her journalism background that Skole was able to conduct these eye opening and honest interviews. It is not just her interviews, but also her use of shelter statistics, that help us have a better understanding of the countless number of people who are dedicating their lives to bringing an end to the overcrowding and senseless euthanizing of not only dogs, but animals in general.
Dogland will inspire its readers to want to bring about change in the shelter system, demand only no-kill facilities and present ideas to address the lack of spay & neuter clinics. As an animal lover I too was inspired by the drive and persistence she showed during her quest for the truth. Dogland is a truly compelling book that will have you driving to the nearest shelter to offer a hand or a paw in anyway you can.
October 9, 2015
I received Dogland, free, from Good Reads. It is also personally autographed to me by author Jacki Skole. Thank you.
I loved this book. I have worked with both dog and horse rescues and have adopted dogs and horses. This book earned the five stars I awarded it. It discusses dog rescue and examines it from all sides. It is well researched and provides solutions for reducing the number of healthy animals who are euthanized every year in the US.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, and suggest all people (the majority of whom are women) involved in rescue to read it.
The publicity flyer which came with the promo of the book states that Skole will donate ALL proceeds from the sale to the animal welfare programs mentioned in the book. A comprehensive list is in the back of the book. I hope there is a website that will keep said list updated because circumstances change and rescues come and go.
I loved this book. I have worked with both dog and horse rescues and have adopted dogs and horses. This book earned the five stars I awarded it. It discusses dog rescue and examines it from all sides. It is well researched and provides solutions for reducing the number of healthy animals who are euthanized every year in the US.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, and suggest all people (the majority of whom are women) involved in rescue to read it.
The publicity flyer which came with the promo of the book states that Skole will donate ALL proceeds from the sale to the animal welfare programs mentioned in the book. A comprehensive list is in the back of the book. I hope there is a website that will keep said list updated because circumstances change and rescues come and go.
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