Barking at the Knot

Barking at the Knot

Understanding the hidden history of animal services

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  • The Carlson Dog and Cat Procurement Law in California, 1952-1953

    In 1952, the Dog Defenders League waged an advertising campaign against laws allowing pets to be taken from shelters for the purpose of vivisection.

    Audrey Lodato

    December 5, 2025
    1950s, Animal Welfare
    1950s, Advertising, animal control, Animal History, animal shelter history, animal shelters, Animal Welfare, animals, Carlson law, Cats, Dissection, dog, dogs, history, hydrophobia, Laboratory animals, National Dog Week, pets, Pound Procurement laws, Rabies, Vivisection
  • In the Arms of the Angel: The Strange History of Sadvertising

    As an industry, we’ve often resorted to shocking imagery to relate to the public. But why? The history of Sadvertising has unexpected roots.

    Audrey Lodato

    November 28, 2025
    1980s, 1990s, Animal Welfare
    Advertising, animal control, animal shelters, Animal Welfare, animals, Cats, dogs, history, In the arms of the angel, pets, Sadvertising, Sarah McLaughlin, Shock and horror, Spay and neuter, The ASPCA, the humane movement, Transparency, Transparent, writing

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