Newmarket OSPCA to euthanize hundreds of animals Update #23 - temporary layoffs

[Catty1]

Oh NOOOO!

http://www.680news.com/news/local/ar...eds-of-animals

Newmarket OSPCA to euthanize hundreds of animals
Jaime Pulfer and 680News staff May 11, 2010 08:54:42 AM

TORONTO, Ont. - Hundreds of animals are being put down at an OSPCA shelter in Newmarket, Ont., because of a ringworm outbreak.

About 350 animals will be put down over the next few days.

The shelter has been trying to contain the outbreak for weeks.

OSPCA spokesperson Rosaline Ryan told 680News this is a particularly aggressive form of ringworm that has reached epidemic proportions.

"This is [a] completely heartbreaking situation [...] I know that people are upset, and I understand it, I'm upset too," Ryan said.

Ringworm is a contagious skin fungus that affects animals and humans.

Even so, Toronto Humane Society spokesperson Ian McConachie told 680News they've called on Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty to launch an investigation into this unprecedented situation.

"We hope that something will come in and the animals will be saved. As I said, we've recommended they consult with experts, and I think a better solution can be found, rather than euthanizing all these animals," McConachie said.

But, the OPSCA said it has consulted experts.

680News has learned it could be a few weeks until the shelter is completely sterilized and reopened.

[Karen]

I am glad they are trying hard to contain the outbreak and hopefully not as many will need to be euthanized!

[Catty1]

The implication in the article, Karen, is that they have been trying for weeks and have just given up!

There are some comments posted below the article - some offering to foster, etc. I hope some other pet people and shelters in the area can pitch in and save these cats!

[Catty1]

It's already started.

http://www.680news.com/news/local/ar...eds-of-animals

I hope they pass peacefully...I am sure this is beyond heartbreaking to some if not all the staff.

[Freedom]

Oh how sad! I am sure the staff are finding this overwhelming to cope with.

Ringworm can be treated and as the 2d article says, it takes time. Wish they had more foster homes as that would be the way to deal with this.

Prayers for all those animals.

[Catty1]

It includes dogs, cats....only two turtles will be left.

One man rushed to the place when he saw his cat on the front page of the paper. His daughter had developed allergies...if hit cat is still alive, he will give it to his mother.

6 staff have ringworm too.

One staffer was fired (if you read the article) a week ago, as due protocols were not followed, apparently.

What a sick, sad, infuriating mess.

[Catty1]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1564978/


Human error led to mass euthanasia at Newmarket animal shelter: OSPCA

Protocols were not followed, spokeswoman says

Toronto — The Canadian Press Published on Tuesday, May. 11, 2010 1:23PM EDT Last updated on Tuesday, May. 11, 2010 1:30PM EDT

An Ontario animal shelter battling a ringworm infection began euthanizing some 350 dogs, cats and other animals Tuesday, with officials blaming human error for the outbreak.

The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it decided to kill the animals after an attempt to contain the infection – which had also spread to six workers at the Newmarket, Ont., shelter – failed.

“We have some standard protocols as would any shelter when there is an outbreak of this type,” said Kate MacDonald, the society's chief executive.

“Unfortunately, we have determined in this situation that due to human error, the protocols were not followed.”

While Ms. MacDonald would not say what protocols failed she added “we don't believe it was willful.”

The ringworm could have been introduced by any animal “that's come through the door,” said Tania Firmage, acting director of animal care for the OSPCA.

Screening animals for ringworm is “part of the protocol” and tests show all of the rooms at the shelter have been infected, she added.

MacDonald said the illness had been festering for weeks and all adoption activity at the shelter has been suspended.

The branch will undergo a thorough cleansing and an inspection to ensure the ringworm is eradicated before it reopens for adoptions.

A handful of high school students were protesting outside the shelter Tuesday, and security guards were stationed outside the building.

Frank Klees, the Conservative member of provincial parliament for the riding, called on the province to step in and stay the euthanasia, but the Liberal government said it stood by the OSPCA's decision.

Ms. MacDonald said the OSPCA does “not take euthanasia lightly” and is “extremely saddened by the situation.”

Meanwhile, the embattled Toronto Humane Society weighed in on the OSPCA’s decision, calling it the “easy way out.”

President Bob Hambley called the action “unprecedented,” considering that ringworm is treatable.

A spokesman for the Toronto society echoed the sentiment.

“Ringworm is a fungal infection. It infects the skin and the hair of the animals,” said Ian McConachie.

“The treatment is three antibiotics and twice weekly shampoo using a special shampoo for the animals.”

While Mr. McConachie acknowledged isolating and treating more than 300 animals would be a time consuming, difficult process, he said killing the animals isn't the solution.

Both Mr. McConachie and Mr. Hambley's words follow an OSPCA raid on the Toronto shelter last November in which five senior managers were charged with animal cruelty.

The Toronto shelter is due to reopen on June 1 with a new slate of directors.

[Medusa]

Oh how awful.

[phesina]

Oh my God... How absolutely sad and tragic. This is just horrible.. especially since it didn't have to happen but for human error.

We had some ringworm in our shelter recently, but not that many cats were exposed, and the treatment protocols were very strictly followed.

This is heart-breaking.

[king2005]

I wouldn't trust a thing that comes from ANY Toronto Humane Society (THS) Members mouth, they are all crooked money hungry monsters & are angry at the OSPCA for cleaning up their nasty mess of Horrors, & are just seeking revenge. The THS has been filed under the same category as PETA & can never be trusted. I've seen what they've done & it was disgusting! It would have been better to just shut them down & open a New one with 100% new members that actually give a darn about the animals & everyone/things safety.

I've worked with the OSPCA before & they are strict about euthanasia. If they feel this outbreak is that bad & euthanasia is the only way then I'll painfully support it.

Remember they said this isn't a normal strain of Ringworm, this one is much worse. So chances are the medications aren't working & thats why they are forced to go this sad route.

With that strain, the animals cannot go to Foster Homes as the Foster Care Givers can get infected & spread it to the Public. Honestly, I don't want another Outbreak here in Toronto, SARS was bad enough...So it has to be dealt with at that Building.

I hope some animals can be saved, & the humans involved will recover in a timely manor. & they'll follow protocol from now on!!! Protocol is there for a reason, when its not followed horrible things can happen

[Catty1]

Yeah, Jess - I kind of wondered who the THS was to point fingers!

[king2005]

The THS is very lucky to still be functioning. I think all of the board members should have been replaced as it takes a board as a whole to steal that much $$ from the animals & to allow that much pain & suffering to go one for that many years

The THS is darn lucky they had as many supporters as they did. Our Rescue functions almost completely off of the Owners paycheque & he has 80 mouth to feed + 4 other locations to assist.

[Catty1]

A sliver of hope.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/arti...ad-dog-walking

On Tuesday morning, the shelter began euthanizing 330 dogs, cats and small animals, a drastic move it said was necessary to eradicate a ringworm outbreak of “epidemic” proportions. Vets have determined at least 20 animals could be saved. They were taken to private clinics to recover in isolation.

“We are hoping that more will be saved; veterinarians are still in the process of examining the animals,” shelter spokeswoman Alison Cross wrote in an email Tuesday night. “We are taking the steps to make sure no healthy animals will be euthanized and more animals may be saved.”

OSPCA chairman Rob Godfrey said he and CEO Kate MacDonald will lead an investigation to find out what went wrong and how it can be prevented.

“We fully admit that human error played a role in this. . . . It’s not to say that following protocols in this place would have 100 per cent prevented this, all the information we’re getting from the vet is that it is vicious.”

[smokey the elder]

6 years ago we had a very severe strain of upper respiratory go through our cats in my rescue group. There were many fewer animals, but with aggressive treatment they all survived. Ringworm spores exist in the environment; maybe a strong mutant strain erupted that was hard to treat. Sometimes things happen that people can't control; I'm glad they are able to save at least some of the animals.

[Catty1]

ste - apparently it was a particularly virulent strain...they had spent at least a month trying to get it under control.

We'll see what today brings.