Myth #1 - it's possible for the OSPCA to do it all

The story that an OSPCA branch planned to euthanize over 300 animals due to an outbreak of a seemingly non-severe illness was the heart break heard 'round the web. Animal lovers mobilized, at least one protest was organized and a Facebook group called "STOP THE SLAUGHTER OF OVER 350 ANIMALS AT THE NEWMARKET OSPCA!!!!!!!" has nearly ten thousand members.

People are devastated, especially because there's no doubt that "human error" played a role in the outbreak becoming as widespread as it did.

Whether I'm reading a newspaper article or just checking Facebook, the resounding question seems to be "can't they find another way?".

The answer, sad though it may be, is probably not. Making difficult decisions is part of the job for shelter management and veterinarians. Every day the welfare of any (or all) of the animals in a given shelter must be weighed against the greater good. The "greater good" is ultimately whatever will save the most animals in the long run. Some times it's a space issue. Some times it's a cost issue. If there were unlimited space and funds to look after homeless animals until they find forever homes there would be no issues. But that's not the world we live in. Yet.

Probably one of the most outrageous statements I've read over the last two days is that the OSPCA is somehow hypocritical given the recent raid on THS and the charges laid against senior staff members.

Everyone is entitled to an informed opinion, but let's get one thing absolutely straight. The situation at THS occurred because THS allegedly refused to humanely euthanize suffering animals. There was also a dead cat contained in a trap in THS's ceiling. Make no mistake that cat suffered as it starved to death.

The OSPCA is not going against their veterinarians' recommendations. The large scale humane euthanization was recommended by more than one veterinarian. There is no proof, or even suspicion, that the OSPCA was involved in animal cruelty, except perhaps by allowing the outbreak to grow as out of control as it did due to human error or negligence, and even this might not have been 100% preventable.

I've also read comments that the OSPCA should have sent sick animals home with willing foster families. No SPCA or Humane Society would knowingly put a diseased animal in a home when the disease can be and probably will be transmitted to people and pets in the home. Even if it's not life-threatening. Would you knowingly bring an animal with ringworm into your home knowing that you and your pets will likely be infected? I wouldn't. And for all the people who say they would, if push came to shove and the OSPCA called them and said "ok, we have a cat with ringworm for you to foster" I can only imagine how quickly they'd back out, because it doesn't make sense to put their own families and animals through avoidable discomfort or suffering.

And that's the problem with this sad, sad situation. People aren't being rational and they aren't making sense. Their hearts are broken and they want to believe that there's a way - any way - for these 350 animals to have a happily ever after. Without bankrupting the OSPCA branch in the process, of course, so that animals can continue to have a chance down the road. Should they save 300 even if the cost of saving those lives will thousands of other lives over the next several years? No.

You may not want to believe it's an "either/or" situation, but every day presents decision makers at shelters with "either/or" situations. The people who work at shelters accept this, for the most part. They have to believe that what they're doing is for the greater good in order to go to work each day and deal with the things they do. But people who are a bit more removed, they still need to believe that it's possible to do it all. It's not. They need to believe that this isn't what we've come to as a society. It is. Hundreds of homeless animals die in Ontario every week. The equation will never balance in favour of the animals until the space and funds available exceed the number and needs of homless animals.

There is one way, and only one to guarantee that you don't add to an "either/or" situation and that is to spay and neuter all of your pets. Period. Every single animal in that shelter had been abandoned by someone. Every.Single.One. If you really want to help animals don't ever be a "someone". You can also send a few bucks to your local Humane Society or OSPCA branch so that when emergencies arise - and they will - they are better equipped financially to deal with them.

Happy (Fur)mother's Day!!

So here we are.

Another year of picking up poo, wiping up puke (and other surprises)
changing litterboxes, and improvising when I find myself without a bag on a walk
brushing, bathing, de-matting,
administering medicine to usually unwilling "patients",
staying up all night when one of my little ones was sick,
budget busting vet bills,
endless vacuuming,floor washing, and lint removing,
tears, laughter, joy
and most importantly enthusiastic greetings, soft warm snuggles, sweet doggy breath, love kneads, endless purrs, and sandpaper kisses.

Happy (fur)mother's day!!!

Change the View 2010

This video was put together by several youths at Syl Apps secure youth treatment and detention center where Chelsea and I do "Pet Therapy" visits every week.

Two of the three young people in the pet therapy program are in the video. Their faces cannot be shown because it is a secure facility, but I would know them anywhere and I am SO proud of these wonderful, sensitive, talented young people!




Get informed about mental health. Destroy the stigma. Change the view.

Update

As many of you know my family was told several weeks ago that my Nana did not have long to live.  She had (has?) double pneumonia and the medical team had exhausted all possible avenues of treatment.  Rather than the sharp decline we were expecting, she has actually rebounded.  I can still hear the pneumonia in her voice and her dementia is pretty significant, but she's well enough to be up and dressed and even attend food committee meetings to offer input as a resident about what is satisfactory and what is not (poor committee).

Most of you also know by now about Project Maddie.  While I've been dealing with my own illness it has been really helpful to something positive to focus on.  I've had a lot help and a tremendous amount of support, without which Project Maddie would not be a reality.

I'm doing my best to restore my health by taking care of my body, my mind, and my spirit.  My little zoo has been healthy for some time now (touch wood) and that definitely makes it easier, as does the apparent improvement in my Nana's health.  I know nothing lasts forever but I'm glad that she's able to live life a bit, interact with other residents, watch tv, read the newspaper, that sort of thing.  They all sound like small things but quality of life is all about the small things, isn't it? Especially in a nursing home.

Thank you for your unconditional love and support.  It means a lot to know you're there for me and pulling for me, and I know it isn't always easy. I know you're in it for the long haul, and I thank you for that.

xo.