SHOW PUBLIC ‘THE GOOD STUFF,’ NOTED ANIMAL BEHAVIORIST SAYS

AGC spokesman Gary Guccione believes greyhound racing could take a tip from one of the nation’s most respected animal behaviorists.

 

Colorado State University Professor Temple Grandin, who overcame her personal struggle with autism to become a highly respected expert on animal welfare and humane animal management, told a group of Canadian farmers recently that they need to begin thinking in a different way to offset negative messages posted by animal rights groups online.

 

 

 

Grandin spoke in late August before several hundred farmers at a gathering hosted by the Abbotsford Veterinary Clinic in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Her appearance was described in an August 30 article in The Province, the local newspaper, by reporter Glenda Luymes.

 

“Ask yourself, would I want to show my farm to that out of town guest from Vancouver?” Grandin said.  She encouraged her audience to “be transparent” about how they treat their animals, and start “thinking in a different way.”

 

Grandin has devoted her career to encouraging animal industries to adopt more humane methods of animal management. According to the Luymes article, Grandin describes herself as someone in the “mucky middle” of the debate over animal rights.

 

She does not oppose the use of animals for food, but advocates for better conditions and more humane slaughter practices at farms and animal processing facilities. She believes farmers need to understand what their animals are feeling in order to give them the best quality of life.

 

“The internet allows animal rights groups to broadcast images of horrific conditions, which make the public think everybody is doing things like that,” Grandin reportedly told her Abbotsford audience. “But most people aren’t. We need to be showing the good stuff.”

 

Grandin’s advice resonated with Guccione. “The vast majority of people in greyhound racing do a great job of greyhound care,” Guccione noted. “Getting that message out is the responsibility of every member of the racing community. The more people know about how we actually do things, the less credibility groups like Grey2K will have.”

 

Guccione said the AGC is ready and willing to assist industry members with public education and outreach. “Grass roots public education is one of the most effective tools we have for getting our story out there,” he said. “The people who care the most about our sport can be our most powerful advocates.”