[ SHOWGSD-L ] Open letter .....
- From: Dawn Restuccia <windwych@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: gsd <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 07:46:32 -0800 (PST)
It has come to our attention that there are many Animal Control facilities
throughout the United States that are either unable to provide food for the
animals in their care on any consistent basis or perhaps just refuse to do so.
Volunteers in these facilities are forced to search for donations of food for
these animals. While LHSH appreciates their efforts, it is not their
RESPONSIBILITY to do so.
This obligation falls directly on the governmental body of the area where the
offending shelter resides. In many states, to deny your companion animal food
and clean living quarters is cause for an arrest under animal cruelty statues.
Why are these facilities not being held accountable?
LHSH is dedicated to implementing animal shelter reform. This means the
accountability of ALL shelters for the animals in their care from the moment
then enter, until they leave.
To whit:
.
1. That the shelter provide ADEQUATE AND NUTRITIOUS food, and clean water on
a DAILY basis for all the animals in their facility.
2. That they maintain a reasonable level of cleanliness and that animals are
REMOVED FROM THE KENNELS before the kennel is hosed or otherwise disinfected
and not returned until any caustic substances have been removed.
3. That animals have some sort of acceptable bedding to lie on and that heat
in the winter is provided in areas where temperatures drop below the freezing
mark.
Conversely, that fans or other ventilation/cooling apparatus is provided when
temperatures go above 80 degrees.
4. That animals be treated at ALL times with dignity, compassion and respect.
5. HUMANE EUTHANIZATION be implemented in EVERY SHELTER throughout the US.
This is described as IV SEDATION using a level II Narcotic.
That IP, IC, Gassing or shooting are NOT considered humane in any way shape or
form! There should be NO EXTRA PAYMENTS made to veterinarians for the
euthanization of animals in the shelters.Shelter Veterinarians should be paid
one yearly stipend for their time; in this way eliminating the potential for a
repeat of the Tennesse debacle where a Veterinarian was found to be using
Intracardiac injections without benefit of sedation in order to euthanize more
animals, earning 9$ per animal euthanized. This monster earned an additional
$22,000 in ONE YEAR! A Court date is pending.
6. That each facility keep ACCURATE RECORDS of dogs that are adopted, rescued,
reclaimed or euthanized, indicating the amount of solution used per body weight
of EACH ANIMAL, and that they be correctly weighed. That these records be open
to residents of that state for viewing at any time. That volunteers for these
facilities have free access to the animals in the shelter for purposes of
photographing and that the facility work diligently with Rescue for EVERY
animal in their care.
7. That the practice of selling shelter animals for research to laboratories,
colleges and rendering plants be abolished. There are many kennels already in
place that breed specifically for this purpose. That the shelter directors
aggressively seek alternative avenues for animals who might appear unadoptable
such as Prison programs, 4H programs, K9 or other service dog programs.
8. That the decision to euthanize an animal requires a BOARD decision and is
not left up to one specific person in the facility. No animal should be
euthanized simply because it is there longer than another. That Rescue
contacts be posted in a prominent place in the facility and that Rescue should
be notified and given 7 days to respond/remove said animals.
9. That injured animals receive appropriate and immediate medical attention!
Due to current "stray hold" regulations, animals are typically languishing in
agony for up to 3 days. This constitutes animal cruelty and should be
prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Remember listers, it is OUR tax dollars that fund these facilities. We have the
right to demand the above for the animals. Please take the time to review YOUR
local regulations on the animal control facility in your town/city.
Feel free to copy/paste the above into a letter format adding YOUR name,
address and phone number and mail this to your Congressman, State Rep, Mayor or
councilman/woman. There are so many GSDs sitting in gassing shelters at this
time...we cannot save them all; but by fighting for change in the shelters, we
can make their lives a bit more bearable while they wait for us to Rescue them.
We are having SERIOUS problems in Ohio, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
Thank you!
Dawn
Dawn Restuccia, Pres.
Last Hope, Safe Haven
Donations may be made to:
Paypal via windwych@xxxxxxxxx
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