Thursday, April 29, 2010

Take Me Home: April 29, 2010


The York Region OSPCA is currently closed, and will open again soon. I'll begin posting photos then.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I read that your "shelter" is planning on euthanizing over 350 animals within the next few days- because they have (treatable) ringworm ????
If this is the intention of your organization, it is completely reprehensible and I hope you lose your funding.
L. Hammond

http://www.680news.com/news/local/article/53593--york-region-ospca-to-euthanize-hundreds-of-animals

York Region OSPCA to euthanize hundreds of animals
680News staff May 10, 2010 23:57:59 PM
Be the first to Comment
0 Recommendation(s)
Hundreds of animals are facing a death sentence after a ringworm outbreak at the Newmarket OSPCA shelter.

Approximately 350 dogs, cats and other small animals will be euthanized over the next couple days.

An animal shelter official told the Toronto Star the animals will be put down because attempts to contain the spread of ringworm failed.

However, Toronto Humane Society (THS) President, Bob Hambley, said in a statement "this type of action to respond to a treatable condition such as ringworm is unprecedented. The OSPCA is taking the easy solution rather than working to save animals lives."

Hambley added the THS has successfully treated cases of ringworm on several occasions.

The shelter has been fighting the illness for almost a month.

The announcement comes on the heels of the York Region OSPCA firing forming shelter manager Denise Stephenson on April 30.

A former staff member said Stephenson was fired because she was not able to cope with the outbreak.

Anonymous said...

I'm an animal lover. I have a dog and 3 cats and sometimes I think that animals are kinder than people, heck, they are kinder than some people. They don't ask for much and give you unconditional love. They're little angels on earth, in my opinion. I would do anything for my pets because I just love them so much. I believe I'm a better human being because of them, they teach me things. Just to watch my dog play and go for her walks with her doggie friends...such joy for her and me! It breaks my heart when I hear or read about putting down so many beautiful, innocent lives...please oh please, don't do it! If it's treatable, treat them, and be patient! That's why people provide funds for your shelter, they want to help these animals, they too, love animals. They have a big heart, don't break their heart...please give these innocent little animals a chance. I adopted my dog at the THS and I'm so grateful to them. Please be patient and have faith, all will work out in the end, and you don't need to euthanize these pets...please don't do it! An anonymous animal lover

Lynn Sinclair said...

L. Hammond, I completely understand your feelings, and if it were my shelter, I wouldn't let it happen. Unfortunately, I'm just a volunteer.

I appreciate the comments. I'd heard they were considering this action, and I can't tell you how incredibly distressed I am by the news that they're actually going through with it.

And if I'm upset, just imagine how it must be destroying the hearts of the staff -- they love those animals so very much.

If we cut off funding to the OSPCA, then more abandoned, stray and neglected animals will die from exposure, disease, starvation and abuse. I won't stop supporting this wonderful organization with both my money and time -- I've seen far too many success stories to let this one questionable decision change my mind.

Anonymous said...

Is there any way in saving them? I heard that some of them arent even infected. I don't understand why they would not open this up to the public since it is so hard to keep under control in a shelter situation. I am sure so many people would have helped treat them. I am very annoyed that no one is responding to any phone calls or emails. My family was going to adopt one of the animals and were willing to take it to our own vet to treat it if it was infected. I hope this decision will be looked at again and reconsidered. My heart is breaking thinking about it. This is awful and it is not right to kill animals with a treatable illness!!! something has to be done, this is crazy.

Lynn Sinclair said...

I'm devastated, and hope that they do reconsider. I do know they have worked so very hard at trying to get rid of the ringworm. The staff (and volunteers) are absolutely wonderful, and my heart goes out to them.