Conference misery::feline_v1

    Re .1:
    
    I'm confused, but that's perhaps because there's some ambiguity
    in the title of this note.
    
    >>THIS IS *_NOT_* CRITICISM, A FLAME OR THE LIKE<< so please don't
    take it wrong:  are we talking about problems common to _all_ shelters,
    or are we reviewing specif ic shelters and delineating their problems?
    
    I think the former is a better approach.  There obviously will be
    areas of difference between shelters.  The Clearwater, Florida shelter
    (I'm a life member of the Clearwater SPCA) practices euthanasia,
    though with great reluctance, and yet it has several "shelter animals"
    that are sort of permanent mascots.  Other sheklters treat problems
    in different manners.  The Clearwater has some cute fund-raising
    approaches: for instance, they have a "cool bake sale," where people
    donate what they would have spent on ingredients directly to the
    shelter.  That's both faster and cooler, and is a real timesaver.
     Not to mention there are no leftovers.
    
    Most shelters have dedicated, hard-working people in them; none
    could be run successfully as a business without volunteers.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
    

< Note 278.1 by APTECH::PHILBROOK "Chico's Daddy" >
    
         Her reply:  The shelters which do not perform euthanasia have a
    set quota of animals that they will maintain at all times.  If the
    cages fill up, no more animals are accepted - this includes releases
    and strays.
    
    The problem with this is that there are a lot of people out there
    who would dispose of their pet in their own fashion if an animal
    shelter turned them away, that disposal often times could mean
    abandonment.
    
    These shelters also DO NOT ACCEPT viscious animals, animals over
    the age of 2 years, animals which are not up to date on their shots,
    animals in poor health, animals with fleas/ticks, and animals which
    have not been spayed or neutered!
    
 End quote
    
    Speaking of misinformation... 
                                  
    1) Not only no-kill shelters have quotas.  Our local humane society
    hits a point every summer when they inform people bringing in pets
    that they can leave them but they will immediately be put to sleep
    since they are over-crowded. 
    
    2) Just because the no kill shelters have met their quota, does
    not mean that they turn the animals away.  My parents have taken
    animals home to await adoption.  The shelter also happily provides
    a "match-up" service between people who hold their pets at home
    and people looking for pets.  (They have pictures and descriptions
    on a bulletin board in full view on the main room.)
                                                       
    3) Your manager was down-right WRONG about the acception policies
    of no-kill shelters and did them a disservice to spread such
    misinformation.  Please inform her that most no-kill shelters are
    in such bad shape finacially, because they spend so much money for medical
    care of the animals.  This includes shots and sometimes spaying
    and neutering as well as emergency care for animals that have been
    hit by cars, abused, etc.  They also, in my experience, do not restrict
    on the basis of age of the animal, state of health (unless it's
    terminal in which case the animal is euthanised), nor behavior.
    (The shelter my Mom works at accepted a killer dog who had been
    trained to particpate in dog fights.  He was socaialized to people
    while there and eventually VERY carefully placed in a home which
    would have no other dogs while he lived.)
    
    	Both no-kill and other shelters fill a necessary niche in the
    animal protection world.  I see the rationale behind both and I will
    not tolerate either side to carelessly spread misinformation about
    the other.  I don't mean to flame here, but you've been so concerned
    about the reputation and rational of the Nashua Humane Society,
    I'm surprised to see that you fail to extend the same courtesy to
    fellow animal protectors.  If you wish to state that XXX shelter
    has these restrictions fine, but please don't make class action
    statements about people who feel as strongly as you do about animal
    care, they just act upon it differently.
                                      
    tlh
    

    As an ex-shelter worker in New England, (New Hampshire), I KNOW
    that there are at least a few no-kill shelters in this area that
    accept only "perfect" animals for adoption.  They must be up-to-date
    on their shots, semi-well trained, YOUNG (under a few years old),
    clean, etc.  I think it's great that they find these animals homes,
    although I am concerned that those animals that get turned away may face
    a worse situation.  
    
    Tracy, it sounds like a wonderful shelter where you live... I
    especially like the idea that people will take adoptive animals
    in their homes and they will post the information and the animals
    pictures at the shelter... kind of like animal foster care!
    
    Lisa

       The shelter I referred to is the Animal Protection League in
    Columbia, S.C.  My parents work with them a lot and thought they
    do the foster business when they need to, that's the exception.
    
       Here in Greenville, S.C., however, there is a group called Concerned
    Citizens for Animals.  CCA is completely a foster home situation.
    They members take in what animals they can and they are given medical
    treatment and well kept.  (Last financial statement I saw, had several
    thousand dollars spent on vet care this past year.)  
    
    tlh
    

    Hi Mike,
    
    Nice to see that there are many all-around animal lovers.  In response
    to your comments regarding certain animal shelters (no-kills), I
    also know of one in Central Mass (Sterling) which does not kill
    their animals, has no quotas or max's, no age limit, and has an 
    excellent policy for adoption.  They maintain the animal's health 
    records, and actually have a return policy if owner and pet don't 
    work out.  They are wonderful people and like yourself are very 
    concerned with the wellfare of all animals.  Not only do they have
    dogs & cats, but also birds, fowl, and various other animals.  
    I have been very successful at adopting 2 dogs from there and have
    always been impressed with the entire operation.  
    
    I guess basically, I just wanted you to know that there really are
    some nice places in this area as well as down south.  It is really
    too bad that other places cannot/do not realize that each pet
    (irregardless of age) requires a special owner and that lots of
    those owners are out there, it's just a matter of patience and
    understanding (as well as the connection).
    
    BTW:  I think the average turnover at the Sterling Shelter is one
    week!  That's pretty good if you ask me.  Good luck in NH, and I
    hope you can find more shelters like this one.
    
    Laurel