Refuting the ASPCA & Standing Up for No-Kill

From
"Christine"

05/06/2009 12:46 PM

To: ASPCA

I have a humane society shelter in my area that wont divuldge its kill-rate.
They do not want volunteers.
Please advise.
The name of the place is Mohawk-Hudson River Humane Society in Albany Co., NY
Thanks
CJ

----- Original Message -----
From: laniea@aspca.org
To: Christine
Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 3:40 PM
Subject: Mohawk Hudson River Humane Society

Dear Christine:

Thank you for contacting the ASPCA regarding the euthanasia rate at the Mohawk-Hudson River Humane Society. I don't believe there is a law requiring disclosure of this information. If you have specific concerns about the shelter, you should contact the shelter management to see if you can meet with the Executive Director or Shelter Manager to have them address your concerns.

ASPCA founder Henry Bergh and his successors won the big battle for the basic legal protection of animals, but the war continues against animal abuse, neglect, and pet overpopulation. Unfortunately, as long as there are more dogs and cats than responsible pet owners, animal shelters will need to euthanize animals. Working at an animal shelter is one of the hardest jobs imaginable. Unlike the visitor to an animal shelter, the shelter worker sees firsthand on a daily basis the grim stories that others only read about. They pick up dogs and cats who have been hit by cars. They see animals with collars embedded in the flesh of their necks because their owners did not replace the collar as the pet grew. Millions of dogs and cats are brought to shelters every year by owners who, for a variety of reasons, simply don't want their pets anymore. Animal cruelty investigators find dogs who have spent their entire lives at the end of a four-foot chain on a bare patch of earth or cement. Still, most animals who find their way to an animal shelter, whether stray or brought in by their owners, were once desired pets.

Shelters are formed out of a love for animals, literally as safe havens offering protection from harm. Unfortunately, shelters often have to euthanize even healthy, "adoptable" animals. Shelter staff euthanize because they are concerned for the quality of an animal's life. How ironic that the very people who love animals so much that they have chosen animal protection as a career end up the executioners for society's irresponsibility.

Few shelters can afford to operate without the help of dedicated volunteers who contribute time, money, and effort toward educating people, handling adoptions, walking dogs, and fundraising. Citizens concerned with the humane treatment of animals should offer whatever talents they may have to help their local shelter. Often times it is possible to improve the shelter from inside. Offer to volunteer or assist the management with policy review.

If I can provide any additional information or answer any questions please feel free to contact me. Thank you for caring.

Sincerely,
Lanie Anton
Senior Manager Internet
Community Outreach

ASPCA®
189 Berdan Avenue, #407
Wayne, NJ 07470

laniea@aspca.org

P: 973-628-9494
212-876-7700, ext. 4701
F: 973-686-0173
www.ASPCApro.org

To: ASPCA
From: CJ

Thank you but they are unresponsive to my inquiries.
Also, I am a staunch supporter of Nathan Wineograds No-Kill Shelter Revolution and I DO believe that a no-kill nation is within our reach, if only we could get breeding under control and change the current mindset of (most) shelter workers.

In my experience, most humane socities and shelters operate more like a "public heatlh service" than an animal shelter, and are more "animal control" than "animal care" facilities. We are a nation of care-givers to quick to kill.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I do believe if the million-dollar mother orgs like Peta, USHS and yourselves and others would do more towards supporting and/or building more shelters and financing low-cost spay and nueter clinics, or work a little harder at trying to get breeding regulations passed,.....that would go a long way in helping to reduce (or eliminate) euthansia rates in shelters across the nation. I dont see where anyone can argue with that, but of course, they will.

By the way, here is a link to the site I created as a tribute to Henry Burgh, whom I think would be rolling over in his grave if he knew of all the needless animal killings going on in shelters.

http://www.freewebs.com/friendsofanimals/

Thanks for caring.

CJ



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