Memphis Animal Services, which functions primarily as a pet killing facility and does not vaccinate all animals upon intake as per standard shelter best practices, is suddenly concerned that treats given to doomed dogs might compromise their health. As such, the public has been banned from giving out treats at the pound. This email is from La Sonya Harris Hall, Deputy Director of the Division of Parks & Neighborhoods in Memphis:
From: Hall, LaSonya
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2014 8:30 AM
To: Boyd, Bill; Brown, Joe; Cain, Pam; Clark, Dynisha; Collins, Harold; Conrad, Kemp; Flinn, Shea; Ford Jr., Edmund; Fullilove, Janis; Garcia, Rebecca; Geater, Lisa; Halbert, Wanda; Harris, Lee; Hedgepeth, Reid; Hooks, Director Janet; Keplinger, Juaness; Little, George; Lowery, Myron; Milam, Judy; Morrison, Bill; Spears, Danielle; Strickland, Jim; Sullivan, Maura; Turner, Ann; Wordlaw, Sophia
Cc: Little, George; Sullivan, Maura; Hooks, Director Janet; Rogers, James; Coleman, Rebecca
Subject: MAS takes precaution with pet treatsGood Morning Councilmembers:
As a precautionary measure and based on observations by Dr. Rebecca Coleman noted below, Memphis Animal Services has temporarily suspended visitors from providing treats to the animals in our care. We will research this matter over the holidays and develop a plan that will be in the best interest of the pets.
Recently MAS encountered a situation involving several dogs that were vomiting and experiencing diarrhea after they had been fed treats. The partially eaten treats were found in each dog’s cage that became ill. Unfortunately no one was able to identify who gave the treats. As there are multiple visitors to the shelter each day, some type of control needs to be in place to ensure that the health of the pets is not compromised. Not knowing what a pet has been fed adds an element of complexity to treating the pet if complications arise.
Rebecca Coleman, DVM
Veterinary Medical Director
Memphis Animal Services
Thank you for your continued support.
Happy Holidays!
La Sonya Harris Hall, Ph.D.
Deputy Director, Division of Parks & Neighborhoods
125 N. Main Street, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38103
The most basic thing that could be done to protect the health of the animals at MAS is across the board vaccination upon intake. That’s not being done.
Most of these animals are going into the dumpster, as fast as MAS can legally (?) put them there. But the city says there’s a risk of harm in the dogs receiving a bit of kindness from the public before being snuffed.
The biggest threat to the health of animals at MAS is Fatal Plus. It’s got dog cookies beat by a mile. Can we get a ban on that?
No doubt everyone in this email has been researching this issue over the holidays and is developing a plan to protect the best interests of the pets. Who are going out the back door in garbage bags by the truckload.
Well done as usual, Memphis.