Slaughter of the Innocents – the OSPCA “final solution”

When it comes to Kate MacDonald of the OSPCA, apparently the solution to everything is to ‘start with a clean slate’. Tragically, when you’re ostensibly running an animal shelter, that means the mass murder of hundreds of healthy animals.

And this from a woman making close to $200,000 (with expenses) on the backs of the Ontario taxpayer. (clicky on picture)

Toronto Star
Toronto Sun


The OSPCA is in the unique position of monitoring itself; including managing a budget that in 2007 was estimated to be more than $11 million (more than half of which is from donations) and which no doubt has increased exponentially since. There was plenty of money to feed and house officers for the many months involved in destroying the Toronto Humane Society – it was remarkable how many discarded sandwich trays, pizza boxes and cans of pop constantly littered the front lobby of the THS – there was money to hire the security guards who dogged volunteers and patrolled the hallways of the THS – and apparently who are now patrolling the premises of the OSPCA itself – but sorry, people, NO money to treat an eminent TREATABLE fungus.

“It was due to protocols breaking down,” she said when asked if Stephenson was fired because of the outbreak. “An outbreak like this is containable when protocols are followed.” MacDonald confirmed Monday night – so apparently the OSPCA is guilty of the same breakdown in routine and protocol which condemned the THS.

It would be interesting to hear from Ms. Stephenson to get her side of the story. For instance, was she provided with the staff to deal with the outbreak? The budget to purchase the necessary medications? The veterinarian and vet tech personnel needed to combat the infection?

But that aside, how in God’s name do the OSCPA brass JUSTIFY mass murder of healthy animals? How do they square their consciences with killing animals that can and are treatable with topical cream and for the more stubborn cases – medications?

Description: Ringworm is an infection by a fungus that most often affects the hair, nails, and superficial layers of the skin. The most commonly noted fungal types seen in cats and dogs are Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Microsporum gypseum.

Animals can come into contact with infective fungal spores in the indoor or outdoor environment. Contaminated soil is a common source of infection, as are other animals infested with ringworm. Not all animals that are exposed to fungal spores develop a fungal infection, and if an infection does occur, the dog or cat may not show clinical signs of the disease but instead serve as asymptomatic carriers.

Risk factors include poor nutrition, poor hygiene, and housing situations in which a large number of animals are closely grouped together. In addition, there is an increased risk for animals that are immunocompromised due to disease or immunosuppressive medications.

http://www.pets.ca/encyclopedia/ringworm.htm

Now granted, ringworm CAN be difficult to control in a crowded shelter environment – which seems to be the case at the OSPCA (may I point out here that “over-crowding” was one of the arguments used by the OSCPA against the THS – and provided ammunition in their takeover). But numerous organizations, rescues, volunteers and community members have stepped forward and offered to help – and in return, been barred by police and security guards and treated like criminals (karma is a bitch).

However, even in shelters it can and HAS been successfully eradicated; in shelters where the well being, humane treatment and care and concern for animals is the primary focus – as Ruby Richards of the Humane Society of Durham Region said in the Sun today:

"People are very upset about this," Richards said. "It's just heartbreaking to us."

The Oshawa-based society has had two outbreaks of ringworm in the last 10 years but not one animal had to be euthanized, Richards said.

"We never lost an animal to it," she said. "It's ringworm, it's a fungal infection, it's like athlete's foot. It's not a deadly disease."

When the shelter was struck with one bout of ringworm almost all its animals were infected, Richards said.

"We just shut the doors to the public and got on with the treatment," she said. "It is highly treatable. It's a real pain and it takes a long time to treat."

Euthanasia was never an option, Richards added.

"Kids get it in school all the time," she said. "You get a ringworm outbreak in the school, you don't euthanize all the kids." (http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/05/11/13903836.html)

This is RINGWORM. An uncomfortable, itchy, rather disgusting fungus NOT rabies, NOT distemper, not any of a myriad of potentially lethal diseases that cause immeasurable suffering and the ultimate untimely (and painful) death of an animal. It is TREATABLE and for a relatively reasonable cost – NOT that that should be a factor as the OSPCA has a more than adequate budget to cover such emergencies.

As a non-profit charitable organization, the Ontario SPCA is unique amongst animal welfare organizations in Ontario: the Ontario SPCA Act mandates the Society to enforce animal cruelty laws and provides Ontario SPCA Community investigators with police powers to do so. (from OSPCA website)

Who is policing the animal police?

During the THS debacle it was brought up again and again that the frightening amount of power wielded by an organization that REPORTS TO NO ONE but acts autonomously and monitors itself, thus creating a potentially untenable situation. The fact that the lives and welfare of thousands of animals are at the whim of individuals who have clearly demonstrated their arrogance, lack of compassion and complete disregard for the humane and compassionate care of the animals they are mandated to PROTECT is beyond comprehension.

When hundreds of animals were euthanized at the THS, between denials, white-washing and weak justifications, the general public deemed it inevitable. But do you see a pattern here? Got a problem? Well just kill them all! We’ll start “fresh” – as if the animal lives which are being snuffed out for no good reasons have no meaning, no import, no value ....

They have names ... Scoops, Sweetie, Sago, Benji, Goliath, J.J., William and Brynn.



They have faces ...

They have personalities and quirks and deserve a better fate than that which is being forced upon them. Already the disadvantaged – the abandoned, the neglected, the hurt, the unwanted and the abused – they were supposed to be given their second chance.

Yes, it is difficult to stem the infection of ringworm – the optimum word being DIFFICULT not impossible.

There is always a way if the will is there.

By their own admission, there are currently a number of animals that have not displayed any symptoms – could they not be quarantined and when cleared, fostered to the numerous groups, volunteers, rescues and community members willing and able to do so?

And for the infected animals ...Is there not a perfectly clean, sanitized building READY which could provide sanctuary while the OSPCA building is put through a sanitation cycle? What about the THS? The EMPTY THS?

The OSPCA has ample staff. The OSPCA has a generous budget. The OSCPA has an infrastructure of volunteers, equipment and ABILITY to move these animals- to treat these animals – what they lack is the will. What they lack is the compassion. What they lack is integrity and a true compassion for the creatures they were created to protect.

Visit Red Star Cafe and One Bark at a Time For some other good insights and comments on this atrocity.