Euthanasia is a kindness we are able to offer medically hopeless pets so that they do not have to suffer at the end of their lives. It is an act of love, an attempt to offer relief and dignity to a noble companion. When so-called shelters end the lives of healthy pets or those with … Continue reading Dear Dog Pounds, It’s Not ‘Euthanasia’ and You Aren’t Being ‘Forced’ to Do It
Category: animal shelter
Bringing Up from the Comments
NYC reader Anne Davis recently exchanged pleasantries with the Mayor's Alliance and shared in yesterday's Open Thread. I wanted to bring it up to make sure everyone sees it. I think it gives valuable insight into some of the reasons why the NYC pound needlessly kills healthy/treatable pets. Everything that follows is from Ms. Davis' … Continue reading Bringing Up from the Comments
Harrisburg – You So Crazy
While the city of Harrisburg PA attempts to deal with the blowback over its "give away-shoot-abandon" stray dog policy, it seems to be having some trouble deciding where to house dogs in need. (For whatever reason, the plan to dump them outside of town was not as popular as the city had anticipated.) The first … Continue reading Harrisburg – You So Crazy
Update on Dallas Animal Services
There are currently 30 “urgent” positions open at Dallas Animal Services (DAS) and they've been vacant for quite awhile. Those vacancies include a lead veterinarian, 13 animal services officers, nine customer service reps, and two shelter and field assistant managers. In August 2011, DAS laid off 53 workers and replaced them with temporary workers. Many … Continue reading Update on Dallas Animal Services
Dumping “Dump”
Some of you have probably seen Lake Superior State University's Banished Word List for 2012. (I note that "pet parent" made the list, without comment.) One word I wish would disappear from every rescue post now and forever is "dump" when referring to pets surrendered by their owners to shelters. I've written on this subject … Continue reading Dumping “Dump”
Distemper Outbreak at Miami-Dade Animal Services
Intakes, adoptions, rabies and microchip clinics and neuter surgeries for dogs have been suspended at the Miami-Dade pound due to a distemper outbreak. Several dogs have been killed by the pound (this article says 18 while this one says 23) and the remaining 211 dogs are being given antibiotics even though they appear healthy. On … Continue reading Distemper Outbreak at Miami-Dade Animal Services
ASPCA Says 41 Dogs Alive but Not How Many Were Killed
When pet advocates began asking questions about 41 dogs transported north from a SC shelter by the ASPCA in November, some peeps took to kerfufflin'. That's presumably why the ASPCA put out a release on its website making sure that everyone knew these 41 dogs were all alive and (mostly all) adopted. That's great for … Continue reading ASPCA Says 41 Dogs Alive but Not How Many Were Killed
Kansas Humane Society Needlessly Kills Healthy Dog, ASPCA Defends the Killing
Shannon Nott received a yellow Lab puppy as a gift from her daughter early last year. She named her Lucy. While Ms. Nott worked during the day, Lucy did the typical things you would expect of a young Lab left alone - she dug at the carpet, chewed on furniture and chewed a hole in … Continue reading Kansas Humane Society Needlessly Kills Healthy Dog, ASPCA Defends the Killing
2011 to 2012: Only connect…
In looking back, we look ahead. We see where we have succeeded and where we have failed. We refocus our efforts while making necessary adjustments. We learn as we grow. Here is a review of some of the notable stories from the blog over the past 12 months. I tried to focus mainly on local … Continue reading 2011 to 2012: Only connect…
Question from a Reader
A reader posed an interesting question about whether one's work in an animal related field affects one's view of shelters and if so, in what ways. So I thought I'd open this up to anyone who presently - or in the past - has held a job in a sanctuary, shelter, veterinary clinic, pet food … Continue reading Question from a Reader
YesBiscuit! 