"Multnomah County residents are getting the first glimpse of massive cuts coming to county services because of a projected $45 million gap in the coming budget...Animal Services would operate four days a week instead of six."
"All of us at Bideawee are saddened by the closing of the Wantagh Adoption Center that has been meeting the needs of area residents since 1915. Like many organizations, Bideawee is facing difficult financial challenges that are the direct result of the economic downturn."
I know these are only two shelters in the thousands that serve our nation's animals but they are two that are known personally to me. There are many more in similar situations. More pets coming into fewer shelters - it can't be good.
I know the rescues are feeling the burden of this as well and are going begging for foster homes. My thanks go out to all of you in animal welfare continuing to do what you can in this difficult time.
Update March 13, 2009:
Multnomah County Chairman Ted Wheeler will decide whether to accept Oswald's recommendation when he presents his budget April 23. County commissioners will make a final decision by July 1. Washington and Clackamas counties don't expect big budget cuts and don't intend to reduce their shelter hours.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Reflecting on saying good-bye to River
Day to Day is going off the air in just over a week and there was a radio piece about songs of farewell today: "Day to Day, March 11, 2009 - Saying goodbye is never easy, but musician and contributor David Was shares some of his favorite farewell songs as a salute to Day to Day. The show goes off the air after the March 20 edition." I'll miss this show when it is gone.
They closed the show with the request for stories of good-byes from the listeners. This one might be too grim for their use but it came and filled my mind. My son still talks about missing River. The look on his face when he speaks of her is the same dented shape as the wound in my heart.
My River Girl was a middle-aged fluffy herding dog from the Madera County Animal Shelter. She had led me through almost three years of journeying and then left me all at once. One moment she was dancing about the living room, romping and frolicking as only she could, and the next she was seizing on the carpet; then she was still. I switched in to animal tech mode and did a response check on her. She was already gone as I knelt by her: no heart-beat, no eye-blink, no breath. My husband was suddenly there crying, asking questions that I couldn’t quite understand and my replies were all, “she’s gone”. He stroked her fur and told her good bye. It seemed a long time before I could do what came next.
Her body was heavy and warm and so still, so still. I wrapped her in her blanket and called the operations manager of the shelter where I worked. I told him River was dead. I asked if the back freezer was empty and was told that is was. I drove her to the rear parking lot of the shelter, closed for the night and quiet. I walked to the drab white freezer and stared at it. Lifting the lid the cold dead smell brushed my face. I spoke to her as I lifted her from the back seat. I somehow managed to put her body in that place.
I said goodbye settling her into a freezer. She laid there, curled in her blanket as if she was sleeping. She looked peaceful but also folded and wrong, fitted into that tight rectangular space. I was so grateful she was alone there. I have been a euthanasia tech and have put many animals down and then carried them out to the freezer. I felt every one of their deaths. Grieving for even those unknown, unwanted animals’ deaths is part of the job. There she was now. I knew her! I had welcomed her into my home and now I saying goodbye. My sorrow was for her but also for all those others that had no one to cry for their deaths.
River came to us an unwanted animal, picked-up as a stray and gone unclaimed at a county shelter. She was brought to Marin Humane through their partnership with the county shelter. She became a registered Delta therapy dog and worked with me in classrooms. From where she was when she came to live with us, without a clue as to how to be a house-dog, to the amazing ambassador for shelter animals that she became was a journey that changed the course of my life. I am forever grateful to her.
They closed the show with the request for stories of good-byes from the listeners. This one might be too grim for their use but it came and filled my mind. My son still talks about missing River. The look on his face when he speaks of her is the same dented shape as the wound in my heart.
My River Girl was a middle-aged fluffy herding dog from the Madera County Animal Shelter. She had led me through almost three years of journeying and then left me all at once. One moment she was dancing about the living room, romping and frolicking as only she could, and the next she was seizing on the carpet; then she was still. I switched in to animal tech mode and did a response check on her. She was already gone as I knelt by her: no heart-beat, no eye-blink, no breath. My husband was suddenly there crying, asking questions that I couldn’t quite understand and my replies were all, “she’s gone”. He stroked her fur and told her good bye. It seemed a long time before I could do what came next.
Her body was heavy and warm and so still, so still. I wrapped her in her blanket and called the operations manager of the shelter where I worked. I told him River was dead. I asked if the back freezer was empty and was told that is was. I drove her to the rear parking lot of the shelter, closed for the night and quiet. I walked to the drab white freezer and stared at it. Lifting the lid the cold dead smell brushed my face. I spoke to her as I lifted her from the back seat. I somehow managed to put her body in that place.
I said goodbye settling her into a freezer. She laid there, curled in her blanket as if she was sleeping. She looked peaceful but also folded and wrong, fitted into that tight rectangular space. I was so grateful she was alone there. I have been a euthanasia tech and have put many animals down and then carried them out to the freezer. I felt every one of their deaths. Grieving for even those unknown, unwanted animals’ deaths is part of the job. There she was now. I knew her! I had welcomed her into my home and now I saying goodbye. My sorrow was for her but also for all those others that had no one to cry for their deaths.
River came to us an unwanted animal, picked-up as a stray and gone unclaimed at a county shelter. She was brought to Marin Humane through their partnership with the county shelter. She became a registered Delta therapy dog and worked with me in classrooms. From where she was when she came to live with us, without a clue as to how to be a house-dog, to the amazing ambassador for shelter animals that she became was a journey that changed the course of my life. I am forever grateful to her.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Bringing Dogs in
I am all for saving lives. I understand the dismal situation animal welfare suffers under in many foreign countries. While local animals, here in the Metro Area and out in Eastern Oregon not so far away, continue to be in need should animal welfare's focus be here or should we be to be reaching out to help those far away?
Abused dogs brought in from other countries to find homes here:
"Her nonprofit has placed 20 dogs from Mexico into Portland homes in the past six months. One of those had been at the Cabo Humane Society for two years; it was adopted here within two weeks."
I am thrilled when American organizations step in to be of help with training and supplies. The Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs works to do just that.
"Esterilsol™
You’ve likely heard about Neutersol—the first permanent injectable sterilant for male dogs to receive regulatory approval in the U.S. Well, Ark Sciences, a new animal health company, recently announced the Mexico launch of Esterilsol, the Latin American version of Neutersol. Ark Sciences has not yet announced details on pricing or availability, but are inviting inquiries to info@arksciences.com.
We are excited to see this tool introduced in Latin America, where economic challenges and cultural resistance to castration make sterilizing male dogs particularly difficult. Ark Sciences has signed Julio Cesar Chavez—a well-known retired Mexican boxer—as the Esterilsol spokesperson.
We’ll keep you posted on progress with Esterilsol, including potential import opportunities for other Latin American countries. "
Some groups take on the spectrum of issues, including rehoming, while educating:
"Compassion without Borders is an all volunteer, grassroots non-profit that works to bring about humane reform for the animals of Mexico through spay and neuter, humane education and outreach, international rescue efforts, and humane euthanasia programs."
Marin Humane Society drives its own van, staffed by employees and volunteers, out into the central valley to relieve some of the burden from those embattled and under-funded shelters with its Pet Partnership Program. I've been a part of those teams. I have been blessed with a Madera Dog myself.
"The Pet Partnership Program focuses on networking, building resources, and transferring adoptable dogs and cats to The Marin Humane Society. We travel throughout Northern California to pick up dogs and cats who would be a good fit for Marin families. The Marin Humane Society is an open-door shelter and has always welcomed out-of town animals, but now we are actively seeking adoption animals."
We can work together for a better tomorrow. We need to start today.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Difficult times make other difficulties
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!
“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!
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
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