About Us
The New Guinea Singing Dog Conservation Society (NGSDCS) was founded in 1996 by Janice Koler-Matznick to ensure the continued viability & health of captive and wild New Guinea Singing Dogs (NGSD) through research and education. The NGSDCS funds field research and scientific study of NGSDs in their natural habitat on the island of New Guinea.
The NGSDCS supports only the breeding of International Species Identification System (ISIS) listed New Guinea Singing Dogs. NGSDCS registered NGSDs with known pedigrees, and other NGSDs proven genetically pure through the test offered by Embark (provides state of the art DNA testing of dogs and is affiliated with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.)
NGSDs in North America descended from the original singers at the Taronga Zoo in Australia. Two original pairs along with a couple of unrelated singers added at a later date are the founding NGSDs for the entire U.S. captive population. Therefore, it is vital to breed prudently to avoid health problems due to inbreeding. (Read more about this on the New Guinea Singing Dog Conservation Society breeding plan page.)
OUR MISSION
The New Guinea Singing Dog Conservation Society was established in 2001 as a Section 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization formed for the following purposes:
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Promoting health and genetic diversity among captive New Guinea Singing Dogs
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Advancing the conservation of wild New Guinea Singing Dogs and their habitat, in cooperation with the New Guinea people
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Encouraging scientific study and public education about these primitive dogs
NGSDCS Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Janice Koler-Matznick, M.S., ACAAB
VICE PRESIDENT
Open
TREASURER
Sandra Kim Darin
SECRETARY
Thom Leettola
ZOO LIASION/OUTREACH
Janice Koler-Matznick, M.S., ACAAB
RESCUE & PLACEMENT
Deneen Ansley
DIRECTOR
Shannon Hiltner
In support of our mission, the following professionals serve as scientific advisors:
Janice Koler-Matznick, MS, ACAAB*, Founder of the NGSDCS
Ben Sacks, PhD (University of California, Davis)
Kylie Cairns, PhD (University of New South Wales, Australia)
Mariano Zamorano, Zoonimal (Germany)
* ACAAB: Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (PhD required)