World Animal Awareness Society Initiates American Strays-Detroit: An Unprecedented Stray Dog Census

June 20, 2011 - PRLog -- Detroit, Michigan -- The World Animal Awareness Society (WA2S.org) is quantitatively defining the United States stray dog problem beginning with a canine census & film study in the City of Detroit. Pilot testing of the visual data collection methods for this research began in February of 2011. WA2S team members have now begun the full-scale study in Michigan.

Overpopulation of the feral canine is considered a global problem. Stray dog population estimates for the City of Detroit vary from 15,000 - 100,000. No organization has conducted a true census on feral canine populations in any major City within the United States. The American Strays Program is a true census combined with a film study beginning in the City of Detroit which aims to define the number of stray dogs in the City, profile the organizations actively working with the stray dog population, and assist in the plan to resolve the situation by providing detailed, visual rich information gathered from the 143 square miles that make up the City of Detroit.

Two teams of 3-4 volunteers each will participate under the guidance of experts from World Animal Awareness Society. WA2S teams will collaborate with animal rescue groups already working with the dog population within the City, such as Michigan Humane Society and Refurbished Pets of Southern Michigan. Teams will conduct a canine headcount by collecting visual data on every street & documenting each dog witnessed within the City. Dog counts will be repeated at intervals over the period of one-year. All volunteers will adhere to standardized protocol established by the WA2S that is similar to previously developed techniques for marine, terrestrial or avian population surveys.

Upon conclusion of the American Strays program in each City, WA2S will publish census results, develop a television ready program & documentary, and produce video profiles of organizations & members of the community interviewed during this dynamic quantitative film study.

If you are interested in participating as a donor, grantee, volunteer or organization working with strays within a major population center, please contact: info@WA2S.org

The World Animal Awareness Society - WA2S.org specializes in filming contemporary events at the human-animal intersection. Headline stories such as the proliferation of puppy mills including raids by national and local animal rescues; Dolphin, Shark and Whale wars; animal hoarding; and animals affected by man-made disasters are filmed.  Recent expeditions produced stories of animal rescue and relief efforts in earthquake ravaged Haiti, dozens of stories focused on the catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico and the effect on wildlife as part of the ALL EYES ON THE GULF Expedition,  most recently an excursion to earthquake and tsunami ravaged northeastern Japan to put a lens on animal/human rescue and relief efforts.  For more about the expeditions and work of the World Animal Awareness Society, please visit our website to view our videos and learn more: http://www.WA2S.org

The VISION of the World Animal Awareness Society (WA2S.org) is to focus a lens on a wide spectrum of interactions at the human-animal intersection and curate a detailed filmed archive of behaviors in expectation of observing human evolution.

The World Animal Awareness Society is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity as determined by the IRs. Contributions to the the Society are tax deductible under section 170 of the Code. EIN: 27-1918794