In the Fall 2003 of "Animal Sense" magazine, CEO Craig Daniell says: "... for dogs we are
introducing scientifically validated dog assessment tests - tests based on seven years of research following dogs in their adoptive home environment to ensure the dogs are safe around people and other animals ...."

The SPCA's Companion Animal Management Program (CAMP), announced in a press release 2 July 02, contains an assessment process for dogs. After a year and a half, can the SPCA still be said to be "introducing" this test? Or is there yet another "scientifically validated" test on the horizon?

In either case, the SPCA should reveal whose research they're using. Seven years of research should have resulted in numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals, if proper science was undertaken.

What agencies were involved in the research? Clearly a source of unwanted dogs was necessary.

Who funded the research? Did dog adoption rates improve as a result of the "scientifically validated" assessment tests?

What were the kill statistics before and after the introduction of the test?

If the dog assessment test that the SPCA is introducing was truly "scientifically validated" then there must be data. The scientific method is the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the collection of data through observation and experiment.

Theories and assumptions, no matter how well intentioned, are mere pseudoscience without factual information.

Joann Bessler
MSc

(SPCA statistics are of doubtful authenticity: http://www.animaladvocates.com/spca-stats.htm)
(CAMP called into question: Is it being used to justify killing? http://www.animaladvocates.com/cgi-bin/newsroom.pl/read/3468)