The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) just responded to PETA's letter to Janet Napolitano urging the DHS to adopt dogs from animal shelters for its canine program instead of turning to breeders, and there is good news.

The DHS will now not only accept dogs from animal shelters for its program (provided they meet the criteria), it is encouraging animal rescue facilities to submit proposals for their eligible dogs. Candidates must be:

• Twelve to 36 months old
• Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, German shepherds, Dutch shepherds, or Belgian Malinois
• Alert, active, outgoing, and confident
• Able to pass a series of tests for courage and toughness

PETA president Ingrid E. Newkirk has helped place many dogs from animal shelters in mutually beneficial service positions that allow the dogs to live at home with their handlers when they aren't working, that teach dogs using positive reinforcement and respect, that provide excellent veterinary care, and that "retire" dogs to live with their handlers when they become old or unable to work—all criteria that the DHS has assured PETA that it meets.

One of these dogs was Kirk (named after Ingrid), the partner of Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police officer Thomas Delahanty. Kirk was with Officer Delahanty when Delahanty was shot during John Hinckley Jr.'s attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan in 1981. There was a fabulous retirement party for Officer Delahanty and Kirk, attended by many beloved K-9 dogs and their human partners, complete with dog-paddling in a backyard swimming pool.

"Working" dogs who are treated well can live fulfilling, interesting lives, and PETA encourages animal shelters and breed-rescue groups to submit proposals to the DHS for their eligible dogs to:

Att: Unsolicited Proposal Officer
Training and Development Division
Program Directorate
Office of Procurement
Customs and Border Protection Agency
1310 PA Ave, NW
Washington DC

Posted by Lindsay Pollard-Post

After hearing reports that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is planning to add 3,000 more dogs to those already sniffing out "bombs, drugs and smuggled cash," PETA fired off an urgent letter to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, asking that the dogs be adopted from shelters and breed-rescue groups, rather than bought from breeders.

If DHS rescued dogs from animal shelters, not only would it help curb the animal overpopulation crisis, it could also give dogs an opportunity for an exciting and fulfilling life. When dogs work with someone they like, they have a far better life than if they live in a crate and get a brief walk twice a day, for example. Some police officers hold retirement parties for their dogs, while others treat them like equipment. That's why we are also asking DHS to ensure that the dogs who are added to its forces are allowed to live in the homes of their trainers, trained with positive reinforcement, and retired properly if they fail the grade, get injured, or grow old. Please weigh in by contacting DHS and join us in asking Napolitano to require these animals to be treated like loyal companions—not like tools from a storage shed.

Written by Jeff Mackey