During this time, NO animals will be able to remain in the River Street building. That means they only have 10 days to find all the animals at THS homes. This includes 44 rats, 18 rabbits, and 126 cats – oh, but what of the dogs?
While government ruled that the THS is to take back control of the shelter on River Street and the OSPCA will be moving out – thank goodness for that – this means that all animals in the shelter must be cleared out prior to April 12th.
While THS management expresses concern about media misinformation regarding mass euthanasia they do go on to say that the THS has always been a “kill shelter” as if that is suppose to alleviate our concerns. Many of the dogs now facing euthanasia have been at the facility for a very long time and while they do express sympathy for those of us who know these dogs intimately and who will suffer heartfelt remorse at their passing, the only real assurances we get at this point is their promise to do better in the future.
I feel sad to think this time will eventually pass as people go on with their lives, the THS reopens and continues business as usual, and all of the animals that were caught up in this drama are long forgotten. For many of the animals that have been and will be euthanized their quality of life has been such that I feel euthanasia is the humane outcome but let us not forget that it was the THS that allowed these animals to be in such a state in the first place. Regardless of the fact that the THS is being proactive in resolving their internal problems the fact remains that keeping dogs in an institutionalized environment for any length of time results in the dogs having behavior problems and health issues that make them hard to adopt and will result in further euthanasia.
I hope that when the THS resumes operations they will be prepared to directly deal with the issue of animal overpopulation. The THS is after all funded by the general public and as such they have a responsibility to us. I would like to see future plans for the initiation of a low cost spay and neuter program, information regarding the overuse of animal vaccines, and that they provide us with a network of trainers and behavioural experts that will aid and support pet owners so they can keep their pets rather than dump them in the shelter. I know it is a lot to ask but I would also like to see them work closer with fellow rescues and that intiatives are brought into place to share resources that will enable a community of caring and support for all pet owners.
Unlike the SPCA which was designed as a means to rid us of unwanted animals in our community, the THS mandate “to promote the humane care and protection of all animals and to prevent cruelty and suffering” led us to believe that our pets were safe in their hands. The debate regarding euthanasia is an old one with many rescues being divided by their ideals of when and who to euthanize. Regardless of that issue however is the fact that we placed our trust in the THS and that many of the animals currently being euthanized were once beloved pets. In entrusting them to the THS we expected them to be cared for and not euthanized. The fact that the THS is closing its doors to “retrain” their staff, and that animals will need to be euthanized to accomplish that task, violates the very mandate we all supported.
I am holding my breath for real change and I am hopeful that when the Toronto Humane Society reopens its doors we will be pleasantly surprised to find that their intentions are to uphold that mandate or that their mandate is changed to reflect the honest intentions of their new organizational platform. I want to know exactly who the Toronto Humane Society is so that I can make an informed decision as to whether or not I will continue to support them.
Call me an idealist but I believe the Toronto Humane Society has the ability to exact some real change and an opportunity to provide all animal rescues with a model that we can aspire too. Although I won’t forget, I am willing to forgive and move forward with faith in the THS. I would hate to think that the suffering and loss of lives, was nothing more than a means of allowing the THS to start over with a clean slate only to carry on business as usual.
Okay, so maybe I won’t hold my breath.
QUALITY BOARDING FOR YOUR DOGS
