MSPCA-Angell’s Post

We are often asked the question, “Are you no kill?” We feel that it is extremely important when asked this question to facilitate a discussion beyond a “yes” or “no” answer. The term “no kill” holds significant sway in community support for animal shelters. But despite its frequent usage, the phrase is not well understood. Its meaning is constantly misconstrued and inconsistently applied. Even some animal welfare organizations use the term loosely, further blurring its understanding and significance. We so often hear people say that they will not support an organization that does not label itself as no kill, thinking this means an organization does not euthanize animals for space or does not euthanize animals at all- but that is not the case. It is undoubtedly important to define this influential term and how the no kill designation is measured. The widely-accepted definition of no kill as it is used in modern animal welfare standards is actually a measurement. To be no kill means that your live release rate (also called a save rate) is 90 percent or greater. The LVHS assesses its no kill status on a monthly basis using intakes and outcomes data to determine live release rate. Utilizing this data-driven method, the Lehigh Valley Humane Society provably meets the criteria as no kill shelter. We consistently achieve a live release rate at or above 90% for our animal population, as shown in our infographic below. We are committed to transparency as we publish our shelter statistics month after month. There may be months in a given year in which we do not meet a 90% live release rate for our shelter animals, particularly in the summer months when we are inundated with homeless animals and face outbreaks of disease. However, we will always maintain our transparency and provide insight and education into the challenges we face as a high-volume animal shelter. You can read more about our 2023 numbers and how we're committing to pets in the Leigh Valley at https://lnkd.in/gQcDyXeG #lehighhumane #LVHSProud

Working in the animal welfare space since 2016, I've seen a lot of ups and downs. I've accepted that animals will suffer and animals will die because of our own negligence, lack of empathy and compassion; and simple refusal to see the problem or to be put out by working to find a solution or doing our part. But as Miami Dade County Animal Services struggles under the burden of more than 900 animals and one hundred or more come in EVERY SINGLE WEEK, it is clear that while there is a shelter crisis all over the US. The single most important truth we need to come to terms with is: This is not a “shelter problem. This is a community problem. Sharing the below because I could not have stated it better myself and we need our community to step up, to do their part, to take responsibility for their own pets and those that need our help! First: WE CANNOT ADOPT OUR WAY OUT OF THIS. They are being surrendered and abandoned faster than we can save them. They are being bred faster than we can save them. They are being given up on faster than we can save them. If 20 dogs are pulled to rescue, 40 more take their place that same week. There is a point where we can no longer keep up with the demand from the public. We have far exceeded that. Please think about their lives. Please think about their faces as they watch another dog go by behind a kennel door with hope. Please think about their final walk to a euthanasia room. Their final breath. Please think about their bodies being dumped on the floor when they are dead and tossed on a pile with all the others. And how quickly they are forgotten. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates more than 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized each year; whereas Best Friends Animal Society, which works toward no-kill policies, estimated the number was closer to 378,000 dogs and cats in 2022.   Shelters are not dumping grounds. They are not redemption for impulsive decisions or a lack of effort. They exist to support their communities. But communities need to support their local shelters too. We can all do our part, and it starts at home.

Have you bought your tickets to the February 2024 Animal Rights Forum? Our incredible regional campaigns manager, - Lisa Ryan will be speaking at this years year's forum. Lisa has been involved in animal rights work for several decades. Lisa's knowledge of political systems and legislation, as well as the extensive issues within the animal world has given her the knowledge to be able to manage successful grass roots campaigns through targeted strategy, planning and collaboration. Lisa will be speaking about Animal Liberation's pound and shelter reform campaign. Our pound and shelter systems are continuing to actively support and enable the killing of thousands of adoptable animals. If animals are old, young, unweaned, unwell, suffer a disability or are even timid, their chances of being killed increase substantially. Despite the availability of many evidence-based and life-saving programs designed to stop the killing and suffering, our pound and shelter system continues to actively support and enable the killing of impounded animals under a waste disposal model. There are workable solutions and it’s time to hold the animal welfare authorities and government regulators to account. It's not too late to purchase tickets- https://lnkd.in/gc9mw4y4

Managing your intake means you are matching an animals needs with the right resources and safest home or environment. It is considering each animal and its individual needs first.

I'm deeply concerned about the increasing challenges our City is currently facing. It's imperative that we tackle the core issues to bring about real change. Community outreach, free spay and neuter services, discounted veterinary care, and backing intervention groups like HomeDog LA and Downtown Dog Rescue are vital components. LA must prioritize these crucial services over unnecessary air time for proclamations. The cost to operate and maintain animal shelters is high, yet inadequate. Let's allocate tax funds where they are most needed – within the community, addressing the root problems. #CommunityOutreach #AnimalWelfare #LAChange #LAAnimalServices #LosAngeles #AnimalAdvocacy #LACityCouncil

I just read the most to recent article by Best Friends Animal Society (linked in comments) about managed intake and I wanted to share a few thoughts. In my position as Chief of Animal Care and Protective Services in Jacksonville, Florida, I firmly support the the concept and practice for our nation’s animal shelters. Managed intake is not about turning animals away; it's about creating a sustainable, effective system that prioritizes the well-being of both the animals and our community. One of the critical misconceptions about managed intake is that it leads to higher rates of euthanasia or leaves animals in harmful situations. In reality, managed intake helps us to better allocate resources, provide adequate care, and prevent overcrowding, which can lead to higher stress and illness rates among shelter animals. By scheduling intakes and working closely with the community, we can ensure that each animal receives the necessary medical and behavioral care before being placed into a shelter environment. Moreover, managed intake allows us to develop more robust community support systems, including foster programs and partnerships with local rescue organizations. These partnerships are essential in creating a network of care that extends beyond the shelter walls, ensuring that animals have the best chance for a successful and permanent home. In Jacksonville, we have seen the benefits of managed intake firsthand. It has enabled us to offer more targeted support to pet owners, helping them keep their pets during challenging times rather than surrendering them to the shelter. This approach not only keeps pets with their families but also reduces the number of animals entering the shelter, allowing us to focus our resources on those who need it most. Managed intake is a proactive, compassionate approach to animal welfare. It reflects our commitment to the humane treatment of all animals and our dedication to finding innovative solutions to the challenges we face. By embracing managed intake, we can continue to improve the lives of animals in Jacksonville and set a positive example for other communities nationwide. 🎥: Mater. Available for adoption at Animal Care and Protective Services, Jax FL.

Thank you Paws for Hope Animal Foundation for raising awareness about an issue that is getting worse by the day... animals who are loved and whose owners can afford day-to-day costs (like food) but are facing some kind of acute crisis that threatens their ability to keep their pet. This could be unexpected veterinary care they can't afford, loss of pet-friendly housing, or something else. Sadly, the safety net for these issues is virtually nonexistent. These animals end up in shelters or rescues, which are bursting at the seams. And then, these shelters or rescues need to pay for the same veterinary care that could have kept the animal in the home. Even the best shelter - and we have some great ones in BC- is not a home. Animals who are loved and have homes should not be entering shelters. Shelters are full and need the space for animals who are lost, abandoned, or victims of cruelty and have nowhere else to go. Please support organizations that are keeping people and animals together to strengthen the safety net for the benefit of the entire animal welfare sector. https://lnkd.in/gSMZjeMD

HORRIBLE DECISION MADE THAT WILL PUT DOGS LIVES IN DANGER… The last few months have been hard. Like really hard. We had to stop the important services our local community relies on. We had to say no to our Animal Control partners bringing in the numbers of animals that they typically bring to us. We had to pivot. However, the good news … the Christmas miracle if you will, is that our dogs are healthy and we are open again for adoptions. Although we lost four lives to Canine Influenza, we saved over 140. The easy answer would have been to euthanize all of the dogs at the start of the outbreak. But that isn’t what I wanted, nor our team, nor our volunteers, nor our fosters, nor our partners, nor our community. So, Thank You! Thank you for understanding, supporting and pivoting with us, for helping neighbors, friends and strangers reunite strays with their families or rehome their pets. As we look towards 2024, we realize that our services are going to have to change. Our primary functions include Community Safety, Public Health and Animal Protection and Welfare. We are the exclusive partner for the Animal Control agencies in Wake County. They need us to be able to support them when they bring us animals who are in the greatest need – the ones that are abandoned, neglected, abused. We are their only option. Therefore, to ensure we can support the neediest of animals who come to us thru Animal Control as well as the strays found in our local community, we will no longer be able to take in owner surrenders. We will provide guidance on how to rehome your pet and look to local non-profits to complement our services by working with owners who need to make this difficult decision. It takes a village and I believe that we have a strong and dedicated village. For “our” animals, you know the ones that we get attached to in the time that they spend at the Animal Center? We will never turn our backs on them. In 2023, we adopted out over 4,000 animals – that is amazing!! That was 47% of the animals that came into our care. So, if our adopters are ever in need of returning their animals (“our” animals) to us – no matter if there are medical or behavior issues or where the owner resides – we will welcome our animals back. We will provide a safety net for our adopters and our animals. We hope to serve as a model for other shelters and rescues to do the same. We are lucky. The animals of Wake County are lucky. We are lucky to have such an amazing team at the Animal Center, this team includes our #TeamWake members, our volunteers, fosters, transfer partners, adopters, donors, local veterinarians and animal control partners. We could not have made it through the last few months without everyone mentioned. It is through these difficult times that we become stronger together. As a nod to my NCSU-CVM roots, I will leave you with a Rudyard Kipling quote “The strength of the pack is the wolf and the strength of the wolf is the pack.” Dr. Jennifer Federico

As we venture into the new year, there are key animal welfare issues in Canada that demand your attention and support. One of those issues is protecting animals in captivity. Recently, the Government of Canada introduced Bill S-15, a groundbreaking legislation that phases out the captivity of elephants and great apes in Canada. If passed, this bill will put an end to the suffering of these animals and criminalize the use of elephants and great apes for entertainment purposes such as rides, tricks on demand and circus-like shows. Humane Canada is working to strengthen this bill and lobbying government to add big cats, such as lions and tigers, to this legislation, who often suffer in private ownership and roadside zoos across the country. We’re working under a real deadline here. What does that mean? 2024 is a pivotal election year, and we need bills like this one to pass before it arrives, or our progress will be lost. Your donation fuels our advocacy efforts and saves animal lives. Let’s make 2024 the year we build a brighter, safer future for animals in Canada. Make a gift today, any amount big or small will help us make progress for animal welfare in our country. Give a gift: https://lnkd.in/dP2HX2vi

Helping stray dogs is a compassionate and impactful way to contribute to animal welfare. Here are some ways you can lend a helping hand to stray dogs: 1. Provide Food and Water - Leave out clean water and nutritious food in areas where stray dogs are commonly seen. - Create feeding stations if you can maintain them regularly. 2.Shelter - Offer temporary shelter, especially during extreme weather conditions. - Build or set up dog houses in safe, quiet areas. 3. Medical Care - Contact local veterinarians or animal welfare organizations to provide medical care for injured or sick strays. - Arrange for vaccinations and spaying/neutering to control the population. 4. Foster Care and Adoption - Consider fostering a stray dog until a permanent home is found. - Help stray dogs find forever homes by promoting adoption through social media and local community boards. 5. Collaboration with NGOs - Work with animal rescue organizations and NGOs that focus on helping stray dogs. - Participate in or organize community drives and awareness programs 6. Education and Awareness - Educate your community about the importance of helping stray dogs and responsible pet ownership. - Encourage others to report stray dogs in need and to support local animal welfare efforts. 7. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Programs: - Support or participate in TNR programs to humanely control the stray dog population. - This involves trapping stray dogs, neutering/spaying them, and then returning them to their territories. 8.Report and Advocate: - Report cases of abuse or neglect to local authorities or animal welfare organizations. - Advocate for stronger animal protection laws and better enforcement. By taking these steps, you can make a significant difference in the lives of stray dogs and contribute to a more humane society.