Project 1882
Animals as family members

Dogs

Animals living with humans should be treated as beloved family members according to the needs of the animals. Project 1882 urges everyone thinking of sharing their homes with a dog to adopt homeless individuals from shelters or organisations.

Project 1882 advocates for dogs by:

  • Informing the public about the benefits of adopting homeless animals and spreading knowledge about the needs of the animals. Many dogs are still trained with punishment-based methods lacking any scientific basis.
  • Working globally in order to decrease the amount of homeless animals.
  • Putting pressure on politicians and authorities in matters regarding family animals. For example, Project 1882 has been a driving force on issues of stricter sentences for animal cruelty.
  • Making it easier to find reputable organisations working to rehome homeless animals in Sweden, via the rehoming register.

Problems for dogs

It is often said that dogs are humans’ best friends. Yet dogs are still left alone for long periods of the day and are subjected to punishments. Humans control the lives of dogs in every possible way, which risks destroying the confidence of, and worsens the welfare of the dog.(1) There is a big difference between being scared of making mistakes because of punishments and wanting to do the right thing thanks to rewards. Separation anxiety among dogs has become an additional common problem when humans get a dog without being able to provide human company for the dog during working hours.(2)

Dogs are also subjected to extreme breeding for various appearances, and in recent years an increase in the smuggling of different breeds has occurred, with tragic consequences. Through specialised breeding practices, dogs with large differences in both behaviours and appearances have been bred.(3) Project 1882 views the fact that dogs are bred without consideration to the quality of life of the individuals as problematic. The appearance-fixated purchasing of dogs also supports puppy mills abroad, trafficking cheap, but sick, puppies between EU member states.(4)

In many countries there are large numbers of homeless dogs, who are shot because of fear of rabies. Project 1882 works globally in order to decrease the amount of animals experiencing homelessness. The level of homelessness among dogs in Sweden is low because of, among other things, mandatory identification and registration.(5)

  1. Ziv G. (2017) The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs—A review. Journal of veterinary behavior 19: 50–60.
  2. Flannigan G. & Dodman N. H. (2001) Risk factors and behaviors associated with separation anxiety in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 219(4): 460–466.
  3. Rooney N. J. (2009) The welfare of pedigree dogs: Cause for concern. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 4: 180–186.
  4. SVT [Swedish Television] (2020) Website: https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/jonkoping/risk-for-okad-hundsmuggling-i-coronakrisens-spar Page accessed 2024-12-06.
  5. Jordbruksverket [The Swedish Board of Agriculture]. Website: https://jordbruksverket.se/languages/english/swedish-board-of-agriculture/animals/identification-and-registration-of-animals/identification-and-registration-of-dogs Page accessed 2024-12-06.