Things are getting harder and the mixed messages about open, limited admission, and now sometimes open admission shelters is making it even more confusing.
“The recent movie, 'Hotel for Dogs', pushes the message "No stray turned away." Unfortunately, shelters are finding this philosophy exceedingly more difficult to follow as they become inundated with relinquished animals. The Humane Society of Genesee County is constantly full. Their doors open at 8:00 a.m. and on most days the shelter is full by 8:30 a.m.
An enlarged animal population is not the only effect shelters are experiencing in the continuing economic downturn. Shelters have also seen a decline in donations. The low donation rates affect the entire shelter including staffing, supplies and the process for handling increased animal populations.”
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/02/prweb2187164.htm
The shelter down in Salem, which is very progressive in a lot of their programs and does some truly amazing work has had to cut its hours of service now.
“Dogs, cats and other furry residents at the Willamette Humane Society will soon see a decrease in visitors as the building will be closed to the public two days per week.
The facility, which is now open seven days per week, will keep its doors closed to the public Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning March 3.
The Humane Society has reduced hours at the main shelter to decrease expenses, said Executive Director Susan Carey. She said labor is the greatest expense for the organization.”
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20090226/NEWS/902260357/1001
I know it is happening all over, and happening not just to the pets, but I am beginning to worry where we’ll all find ourselves when this is all done.
My thanks go out to all of you that volunteer and work in the animal welfare industry for keeping on!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Oregon Senate Bill 304 - protecting animals abandoned in forclosures
We shouldn’t need to have this written into law but it there seems to be need of it with more and more animals being abandoned when their families lose their homes. The family’s thought process is in all likelihood is not to cause harm to the animal, and I have been told of cases where food, water and notes about the pet are left with the animal in the foreclosed home. In many cases these families have tried what options they thought were available to place their pets with friends or family members, tried local shelters and found them full, and ran out of time. It does not change the fact that they abandoned their pets. That not all those that are finding these pets are doing their level best to get care for these animals only repeated the abandonment.
OHS takes lead in protecting pets abandoned in foreclosures
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Hillsboro Argus
The Oregon Humane Society is urging state lawmakers to better protect animals who are abandoned because of mortgage foreclosures. In testimony to be presented this afternoon in Salem, OHS Executive Director Sharon Harmon will ask lawmakers to make sure animals don't suffer from neglect when they are left behind at a foreclosed property.
"These animals need food, water, companionship and veterinary care to survive and deserve to be treated better than personal belongings that are left behind," said OHS Executive Director Sharon Harmon.
SB 304, backed by Sen. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Beaverton and introduced at the request of OHS, would for the first time establish a clear process for placing animals abandoned because of foreclosure into new caring homes. Mortgagors, for example, would be required to provide minimum care for an abandoned animal and to contact the appropriate agency or animal shelter to take custody of the animal. While many mortgage companies and banks try to do the right thing, current law is unclear when it comes to the issues of animal care and ownership transfer.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index.ssf?/base/new/1235503211196460.xml&coll=6
Summary of bill reads:
Requires mortgagor taking possession of real property to provide minimum care for domestic animal or livestock abandoned at property. Requires mortgagor to arrange for law enforcement agency, animal control agency or animal shelter to take custody of abandoned domestic animal or livestock.
Makes mortgagor that fails to provide abandoned domestic animal or livestock with minimum care subject to animal neglect statutes having maximum penalty of six months¢ imprisonment, $2,500 fine, or both, or if failure results in serious physical injury or death of domestic animal or livestock, to maximum penalty of one year’s imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both. Makes failure of mortgagor to timely arrange for placing domestic animal or livestock in custody of law enforcement agency, animal control agency or animal shelter subject to maximum $90 fine.
Authorizes animal shelter taking custody of abandoned domestic animal or livestock from mortgagor to petition for legal ownership of abandoned domestic animal or livestock.
http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/sb0300.dir/sb0304.intro.pdf
OHS takes lead in protecting pets abandoned in foreclosures
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Hillsboro Argus
The Oregon Humane Society is urging state lawmakers to better protect animals who are abandoned because of mortgage foreclosures. In testimony to be presented this afternoon in Salem, OHS Executive Director Sharon Harmon will ask lawmakers to make sure animals don't suffer from neglect when they are left behind at a foreclosed property.
"These animals need food, water, companionship and veterinary care to survive and deserve to be treated better than personal belongings that are left behind," said OHS Executive Director Sharon Harmon.
SB 304, backed by Sen. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Beaverton and introduced at the request of OHS, would for the first time establish a clear process for placing animals abandoned because of foreclosure into new caring homes. Mortgagors, for example, would be required to provide minimum care for an abandoned animal and to contact the appropriate agency or animal shelter to take custody of the animal. While many mortgage companies and banks try to do the right thing, current law is unclear when it comes to the issues of animal care and ownership transfer.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index.ssf?/base/new/1235503211196460.xml&coll=6
Summary of bill reads:
Requires mortgagor taking possession of real property to provide minimum care for domestic animal or livestock abandoned at property. Requires mortgagor to arrange for law enforcement agency, animal control agency or animal shelter to take custody of abandoned domestic animal or livestock.
Makes mortgagor that fails to provide abandoned domestic animal or livestock with minimum care subject to animal neglect statutes having maximum penalty of six months¢ imprisonment, $2,500 fine, or both, or if failure results in serious physical injury or death of domestic animal or livestock, to maximum penalty of one year’s imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both. Makes failure of mortgagor to timely arrange for placing domestic animal or livestock in custody of law enforcement agency, animal control agency or animal shelter subject to maximum $90 fine.
Authorizes animal shelter taking custody of abandoned domestic animal or livestock from mortgagor to petition for legal ownership of abandoned domestic animal or livestock.
http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/sb0300.dir/sb0304.intro.pdf
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)