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Thursday, March 25, 2010

Euthanzia Policy

 No doubt there are going to be those who challenge my opinion on this- but the end result of numerous questions, requests for clarification and enquiries as to a clear and concise (hopefully written) clarification of the OSPCA euthanasia policy, the OSPCA earnestly assured us of the following: 
  • Decisions on which animals were to be euthanized were ALWAYS a veterinarian decision based on sound medical protocol – EXCEPT when those decisions are NOT. i.e. well, yes, they DO (reluctantly confirmed) euthanize healthy adoptable animals simply because there are too many of them and there MAY be other situations where healthy adoptable animals ARE euthanized for something other than medical reason.

  •  AND – while veterinarians ALWAYS make the decision (not lay people, even those with authority) THAT too can vary if there are no medical personnel on-site in the OSPCA affiliate – so YES, actually, decision to euthanize ARE made by lay people in some instances based on factors other than medical issues. 
  1. A. SO – TO SUMMARIZE – IN ACTUAL FACT, REASONS TO EUTHANIZE CAN VARY AND ARE NOT ALWAYS BASED ON MEDICAL REASONS.

  •  They have euthanized approximately 100 animals*(see below) since they have been occupying the THS; those decisions were made by vets – either OSPCA vets (9) or THS vets (2 FT, 1 PT). Ms. McDonald assured the audience that there is NO influence by the OSPCA vets (and OSPCA policy) on decisions made by THS vets nor have any animals been euthanized for non-medical reasons.
Note:

Figures as quoted by Kate McDonald (and recofirmed). Figures are "ballpark" not definitive.

1100 animals as of November 26
Less than 300 now (not sure of small domestic or cat population but can confirm that as of Monday, March 22, there were 18 dogs on-site at the River Street facility)

Disposition:

100 - euthanized (claims medical issues only)
550 - adopted and/or fostered (however, almost confimred they currentl have records of approximately only
          85 foster homes and it is highly improbable that 400+ cats and dogs were adopted so I do wonder
          about this).
300- give or take now still in facility (and I assume Victoria Park one).

950 animals

Leaving still around 100 unaccounted for and I would like some explanation of the disparity between fosters and adoptions and the rather remarkable number of 550.

3 comments:

  1. Talking to vets at the THS, they say the number of euthanasias is closer to 200. For me, the number of euths done are not as important as the reasons why those euths were done. If you get a chance, talk to the vets. I believe, and hope, that in the vast majority of cases, the reasons for the euthanasias will be valid ones. The majority of the cases, which I've heard about, brought forward by concerned individuals, have turned out to be valid cases for euthanasia - like the one brought up by the woman at the meeting last night - where the animals were in extreme pain and without the likelihood of a good outcome. There have been a couple of cases, though, where the conduct and judgment of a vet were questionable.

    The number 550 is rather remarkable but not impossible. It's also a number confirmed by sources within the THS and the OSPCA and I'm pretty sure if the THS had a chance to dis the OSPCA, they'd take it.

    Of course I can't say for certain where all those 550 animals have ended up and I pray they are in better conditions than they had at the THS, but even by THS' own stats, they annually adopted out between 4000 - 7000 animals. So, moving out 550 animals in 3 months, especially now with the help of rescues, fosters, etc., 550 is actually way below the alleged THS average.

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  2. Fred, one of my issues is that the numbers keep changing; it is hard not to be incredulous as a result - I have heard reported (directly form the ospca) the numbers 25, 43, 100, 123 and now 200. NO ONE would think euthaniza baed on compassionate grounds is a problem.

    But there is also spin doctoring going on here.

    Because of the type of scoring cards they use (to determine euthanizsa probability), FIV and diabetic aniamls do not start off with a level playing field. The reality is that both conditions in cats can be handled very well and relatively cheaply - and the cats, properly cared for, can live long happy lives, almost as long as if they didn't have these conditions.

    BUT, when you start "scoring" them, then add maybe other factors that in cats without those conditions wouldn't have, and they are scored WAY lower. So yes, tecnically, those cats are "adoptable" but with ANY easily treatable condtion TOGETHERwith the FIV or diabetes and things look a LOT grimmer from them.

    And seriusly, those figures just do no jive. What the ths USED to adopt out is one thing - with everything that has hapened in the past 5 months it is HIGHLY unlikely all those are adoptions!

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  3. I whole heartedly agree with your concerns Selkie. I have posted your article on my own blog. I credited you at the bottom, I don't know how to add a link that goes directly to your blog (I'm a newbie) but I did write the URL to find you. I was present at the meeting as well (not far from you) and felt you raised some extremely important questions. I hope to see you at the protest this Sunday where we could have a discussion regarding your observations in person. I am very interested in knowing the staff/volunteer's experiences within the shelter since the OSPCA invasion. Thank you for being courageous and honest.

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