The mother of good luck

The 2009 Annual (January - December) stats were posted on the society website today. I've been on the watch for them, to see how the numbers measure up after a year of being on the New Path.
At first glance the Cape Breton dog Stats look impressive ... their dog euthanasia rate has been radically reduced from 22.4% to 16.6 .... until one looks a little closer at their numbers.
In the society stats, the number of animals that die of natural causes is not included in the euthanasia rate. Last year, the Cape Breton Branch had 53 dogs die of natural causes, while this years figure leapt to 169. The branch took in 267 less dogs this past year, but the total number of animals that died, of natural causes or by human hand, was only 22 less than there were in the 08 stats. In other words, pretty much the same number of dead dogs.
As expected, their cat intake was down as well. ( by 515) Unfortunately, if the 83 cats that 'died of natural causes' were included in their already higher euthanasia rate for this year, there would only be a difference of one in the number of dead cats from 08 to 09 ( the subject of how the closing balance for 08 doesn't match the opening one for 09 is not a promising sign either)
On the other hand, there is plenty of good news elsewhere. Metro's cat adoption rate is up from 59% to 72 % and their dog adoption rate is up from 27.4 to 42.2% That was undoubtedly responsible for the fact that they were able to take in 177 more cats and 149 more dogs this year than last.
Yarmouth also deserves bragging rights. Their dog adoption rate is up from 32.6 % in 09 to 58.1% in 09. While they are sadly still the same for the cats, at least they have the number of dogs dying for any reason down below the ten percent benchmark.
The little branches generally have decent numbers, but its important to remember that nowhere in the stats is any record kept of the number of animals that could not or would not be accepted by any branch.
All in all, there really were no surprises. Better stats aren't a matter of luck or geography .. they are the direct result of hard work, imagination and having the sense to put every tool to its best use.
Diligence is the mother of good luck. Benjamin Franklin.