HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Humane Society of Harrisburg Area (HSHA) announced that it will no longer assign breed labels to its shelter dogs unless there is undisputed proof of lineage.
"This is just another lifesaving step in our efforts to increase adoptions," said Aspasia Yeager, director of operations for the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area. "Nobody can make that accurate decision not even a veterinarian. When we do that we’re already putting that dog at a disservice for pre-conceived ideas and stereotypes."
"Research indicates that up to 75% of dogs are mislabeled when attempting to identify breeds through appearance, and that labeling on public-facing, biographical materials can negatively impact the length of stay and outcome for all dogs," the HSHA said in a press release issued Friday.
HSHA executive director Adam Lamb said people can make certain behavior assumptions based on a dog's breed.
"Our reality is that we are working primarily with dogs that are mixed breeds, who we really aren't sure what their lineage is," he said. "And with that, their behaviors and personalities are each truly unique."
The HSHA, he said, recognizes every dog as an individual with their own quirks, nuances, and preferences.
"There’s a lot of things that can make up a dog's personality traits and behavior and we want to get to know that dog as an individual so that we can make a good match for you for your family pet," said Yeager.
Under the new policy, HSHA will challenge its staff and volunteers to get to know each dog as an individual and to communicate to the public and potential adopters that looks do not equal behavior.
Backed by research studies and shelter outcomes, operating without breed labels will be the HSHA's new policy moving forward, the agency said.
"As advocates, we must educate individuals that the way an animal looks is not a reliable indicator of their behavior," Lamb said.
The new policy aligns with that of the Brandywine SPCA, with which the HSHA has recently entered an affiliation agreement. It is designed to help the agency increase adoptions and lifesaving efforts in the Harrisburg area.