2010 National Mutt Census Fails DC Dogs
‘DH dog giggle animated avatar’
courtesy of ‘Generic Brand Productions’
This really rubs me the wrong way. The 2010 National Mutt Census, intended for mixed-breed dogs only, allows DC mutt owners to submit their data, but when it comes time to locate DC on the U.S. map and see the summary of DC mutt statistics, it’s missing. Guess DC must have gotten lost in the Mists of Avalon or Bermuda Triangle, or something. I can’t even tell you how frustrated I was trying to navigate my mouse over the little iotas of map pixels between MD and VA. I was really hoping DC was lurking in their somewhere, but no, we’re not.
So I’ve written to the 2010 National Mutt Census, pointing out our lack of map presence and I’m hoping they will/can put us on the map. You too can help by writing Mars Veterinary (the owner of the site who BTW is located nearby Gaithersburg, MD – I mean, seriously, how did they forget DC?!!) to ask that DC mutts be represented in census.
Fail. 2010 National Mutt Census. Fail.
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9 Responses to “2010 National Mutt Census Fails DC Dogs”
March 25th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Rebecca,
What can we say… that whole taxation without representation situation with DC must have clouded our minds when we launched the National Mutt Census. We meant to have a link for DC stats, but it somehow fell on the development floor. Thanks for pointing this out to us. As you experienced though, you are indeed able to list a dog from DC, we just forgot to turn on the method for seeing the results. We are working feverishly on rectifying this oversight.
We love all mutts and want them all to be counted. DC dogs will have their woofs be heard soon.
Thanks for paw-ticipating!
Hugo
Mutt Census Top Dog
March 25th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by PetAgree Friends, Jim Kelly and Gordon Milton, Tim Cates. Tim Cates said: 2010 National Mutt Census Fails DC Dogs: The 2010 National Mutt Census, intended for mixed-breed dogs only, allows… http://bit.ly/9MJGxb [...]
March 26th, 2010 at 8:49 am
Hugo,
Thanks so much for getting back to me. I definitely still filled out the Census.
Thanks for working to put DC on the map!
R
March 26th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Rebecca,
One more update… the DC call-out is now back where it should have been. We’re tweaking it further this weekend to make sure all of DC’s dogs are not only counted but are represented. Mutts rule!
Hugo
Mutt Census Top Dog
March 26th, 2010 at 9:32 am
This is not really a census, but a way for Mars (yes, the candy bar company) to sell their DOG DNA test. Look at the first question. They ask if you had your dog tested by them. While it is a slight against DC, it is just a thinly disguised advertising campaign. Don’t go for it.
March 26th, 2010 at 9:50 am
@Press Yes, the 2010 National Mutt Census is sponsored by Mars, their association and sponsorship of the census is not hidden or thinly disguised. In fact, Mars’ sponsorship is clearly listed above the fold of the website. ]
And while, yes, one of the survey questions does ask if you’ve used Mars’ WisdomPanel DNA dog test and there is a WisdomPanel product offer, census participants are not obligated to buy the product or opt-in to Mars’ communication stream.
March 26th, 2010 at 10:39 am
[...] hosts a Congress whose members it can’t elect, feel left out. Check out the complaint from weloveDC. var [...]
March 31st, 2010 at 9:58 am
Rebecca,
Yes, but you didn’t answer the question. Is this an advertising campaign? Plain and simple. I believe the answer is a clear yes and as a local company (yet secretive) they should know better and not slight DC.
March 31st, 2010 at 10:15 am
Press,
Yes, it’s an advertising campaign. However, it’s a softly branded/sell campaign in that you don’t have to purchase or opt in for communications to participate.
In order for the Mutt Census, and other forms interactive content to exist, there needs to be some sort of financial backing. URL purchases, site hosting, backend databases, etc. don’t come for free and neither does the time needed for design and development.