Many of you are searching for information about the recent decision by York Region OSPCA, located in Newmarket, to euthanize all the animals at the shelter because of the ringworm outbreak. I know and love many of those animals, and am devastated, but plan to continue volunteering at the centre.
The shelter will, once again, fill up, and those animals will need our help. I don't agree with their decision, but I do believe in the organization's long-term goal of making sure each and every pet finds a safe forever-home. Thousands of animals have been successfully adopted from the shelter, and with your assistance, more will be adopted in the future. If we truly want to make a difference, we have to educate our kids, friends and neighbours -- don't let your dogs or cats wander, neuter and spay them, and report all cases of abuse.
Volunteer. Be a part of the team that will make sure this never happens again. And if you're as heartbroken as I am, then just imagine how this has destroyed the souls of the wonderful staff who care for the animals each day. They deserve our support and encouragement. I don't know how they will deal with the emotional fallout from what has happened.
Update: May 12
Just read that protesters are screaming "Murderers" at staff entering and leaving the building. They couldn't be more wrong. These staff members have worked hard, for years, to give top-quality care to the shelter animals. Volunteers, knowing how committed the staff are, would never scream such a thing, so it must be the people who have never set foot inside the building to lend a helping hand. Everyone has a right to protest, but know your facts first -- the staff are far more upset by this than anyone else.
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16 comments:
AH! I'm having some serious posting issues... let's try this one more time!
Very well said Lynn. We took home a beatiful little cat about 6 weeks ago and she has brought nothing but joy to us. Without the OSPCA she may have been dumped at the side of the road like so many others rather than surrendered to the shelter.
When we went to get her I had never been inside the shelter before, and I was so impressed with the conditions that the animals got to live it. So much space! It really warmed my heart. I am increadibly saddened by the decision to euthanize the animals, and like you, I would not have come to the same conclusion, but I sincerely hope this doesn't damage the organization to a point where it can no longer operate. I would never go anywhere else for a pet.
I think people are being very hasty in their judgement. This cannot be about money. With one of the shelter's most important fundraisers happening later this month, how could it be about money? I'm sure they expected this outcry when the decision was made, and that it will hurt the success of the fundraiser. I just wish we were being given more information about why the decision was reached. Why couldn't the animals have been given to homes that would assure their treatment? It's really sad.
Sorry you had trouble posting a comment!
I agree, the York Region OSPCA does have great facilities for the cats who are available for adoption. And I'm so glad you found your own cat there.
Many folks, who have been interviewed by the media, are saying, "Not a penny more." Yes, if they don't agree with how the place is run, then they have every right to donate elsewhere. The thing is -- it's the future strays and unwanted pets who will suffer in the end.
What's happened, this week, is horrendous, but pulling funding or valuable volunteer hours isn't something I would even consider. But that's me.
As a volunteer with the York Region OSPCA, I agree 100% with your statements Lynn. The staff work hard under sometimes impossible circumstances to ensure the health and safety of animals in their care. They are heartbroken over the OSPCA's decision and work tirelessly to help the animals they can. While I am very grateful for the protesters and press coverage to help put an end to the mass euthanasia, I am disheartened over the comments that paint the staff and volunteers as soulless and evil animal haters. This couldn't be further from the truth. I know some of the staff that have had their cars blocked and they feel terrible for what is happening. Every single one of them have pets of their own that they adopted from the shelter. These folks aren't the enemy - they are committed animal welfare individuals with hearts of gold.
The true sadness is that the animals have and will pay the price for this.. now and in the future. If folks stop believing in the OSPCA and what they stand for, what will happen to the animals that desperately rely on them for safety and shelter? I wouldn't have my pets today if it wasn't for the OSPCA and the diligent care they gave my wonderful furry friends.
I will certainly continue my support with the OSPCA. I will however be looking for an explanation as to why they came to the decision they did - why a call to arms of public assistance wasn't reached before the mass euthanasia plan. Why it had to come to media and protesting in order to reconsider destroying all animals in their care.
It appears that we're in complete agreement, Smaks. Yes, they should have opened up to the community about what was happening. I believe they initially hid the news of the ringworm outbreak because of the potential for bad press. If that's true, it's kind of ironic, now, isn't it?
Thanks for commenting -- nice to have another volunteer drop by!
Anyone who sets foot in that building after the deliberate killings of innocent animals!!! deserves to be screamed at!!You can choose to do what is right or what is the wrong thing to do,its your choice! I personally could not stand by while Sago and those innocent animals where put down!! Get off the fence!!!!Stand up to evil!! and if you care as you say you do than prove it!!!
You better believe its about money!Dr. Cole announced to the public that the cats in his care are perfectly healthy.I believe that ring worm was used in a desperate attempt, as a smoke screen to cover up the truth!Staff sign a secrecy document and are warned by upper management that if they come forward to the public or press,that they will have serious repricusions.Kate makes $190.0000 dollars a year!!!That is outrageous!!there is allot of hidden agendas here!!!Allot of Secrecy and NO ACCOUNTABILITY!!!!!I understand that the homeless population of animals is staggering how ever,that does not condone the constant slaughter of these animals! OSPCA is not above the law!.There are better organizations ,willing to house these animals with a no kill policy!unlike the OSPCA.I have seen ENOUGH!Its time the truth be told!!!!!.T-61?????? Heart Sticking!! How Disgusting and Cruel!!!and I hope and pray that this team at the OSPCA has there Karma!!!
Lynn while I appreciate your "heart of gold attitude" to volunteer in any way with homeless companion animals, I have to say I believe you are niave as to the reasons behind management decisions to euthanize so many animals. I am sure you believe that the dog won't get walked or the cat cuddled if you do not go in and the OSPCA will continue to perpetuate the idea that more homeless animals will have nowhere else to go if they are not there...nothing could be further from the truth...where there is a void someone else shall fill it, and those "someones else's not unlike yourself" just may have a stronger belief in saving more than companion animals then they choose destroy each and every week at the OSPCA. As for the poster who adopted the cat 6 (six) weeks ago, I am sure you have considered the fact that your pet may also have been infected with this "virulent" and "rare" form of ringworm that Kate MacDonald eventually admitted, had infested the OSPCA New Market shelter since well back in February...I don't suppose you resent spending another couple of hundred dollars on having your pet re-checked after the fact. You say you are an author --- that ought to entail some research --- I suggest you do some of that yourself.
Anonymous #1, I assure you, I am not on the fence, but thank you for your concern -- being on the fence does sound like a precarious and uncomfortable position. I do understand your own position, and appreciate your thoughts.
Anonymous #2 -- the best way to make a difference is to be involved. Protests, this time around, stopped the killing, but only by being a part of the process can future changes be made. By all means, put your energy and dollars toward another shelter or organization. This is your right, and I support your decision.
Anonymous #3 (oh, I do wish all of you would actually come forward and use your real names -- it would make answering your comments far easier), I am not naive. But I will admit to living in the cozy world of denial. And as far as being an author, I'm an author of fantasy which does not require much research on my part (I had enough of that when I worked in libraries).
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. Should the shelter fail to get back on its feet, I do hope other organizations will fill the void. I'm sure there are many volunteers willing to help them.
As I said in an earlier comment, I believe change can only happen if one is part of the process. We can all walk away in disgust, or we can get in on the ground floor of what I hope is a new OSPCA.
Want to heard? Want to help implement new programs? Do you want to be the person to make a difference to the future animals who come through the shelter's doors?
I do. I'm not ready to give up so easily. The OSPCA is in a position to take huge strides toward ending abuse, abandonment and overpopulation of pets, and I'm not going to walk away without giving it my very best.
Yeah, naive perhaps, but I am determined.
This comment was posted in an unrelated post, so I thought I'd move it here:
Anonymous said...
Sometimes you have to do more than that!Conforming to the old rules do not make change.Determination is not good enough!Sometimes Lyn,you have to knock the wall down!!!to make a change and be heard!like they did in Berlin..We as Canadians are far to complacent in these matters and that is why we are not taken seriously.Sorry but you are far to trusting of an institution that betrays what you stand for!I would not!!!!!! ever volunteer in Aushwitz, simply to feed and comfort living beings that are being Murdered!and abused!..I have principles and Morals in which I would die for!You are a fence walker!
June 1, 2010 11:13 AM
An interesting analogy, Anonymous.
I'm not volunteering at the same OSPCA, I hope it will be a new (and improved) shelter. Now, are you telling me that you wouldn't help those imprisoned in Auschwitz if you knew you might make a difference? If, by being even a small part of the system, you might be able to change it? You'd far rather just leave those inside to suffer?
The OSPCA isn't going to disappear. It will come out of this, self-mutilated perhaps, but it will survive.
I've gone through a myriad of emotions this past month, and have come up with a solution that works for me. It isn't going to work for everyone.
I wish you luck in knocking down your walls, and do appreciate that you took the time to share your thoughts.
Morning Lynn
I was indeed a protestor but agree completely with you. The OSPCA is needed and will not go away, nor should it. I helped some of our Mohill girls get through the people yelling. These people didn't realize who or what the workers were all about.(Shannon/Steph for example) I will never forget or forgive the suits of the OSPCA for allowing this to happen. However, the animals will need loving people to work with and volunteer with them.
Otherwise the will suffer from not having the interaction & love they need during their wait for a new home. The "suits" new or old will not take the time to show compassion. I myself may, if I can emotionally do it, help out.
Thanks for your comments and all that you have done.
Kim
Thanks so much for your comments, Kim. I'm sure the staff appreciated you easing their way into the building. Do you think they've all gone off and found new jobs in the past few months? If so, they'll be missed. I'm eager to get back to volunteering, and hope they've made some major changes -- changes that will address the protester's issues and concerns.
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