Fur flies out of humane society (Toronto)

http://www.torontosun.com/news/toron.../13539281.html

Fur flies out of humane society

Shelter finds homes for 80 dogs, 40 cats

By IAN ROBERTSON, Toronto Sun

Last Updated: April 10, 2010 7:47pm

For three young roommates, the second-last cat at the Toronto Humane Society downtown shelter is a dream come true.

Purring but woozy after neutering, Stitcher “is going to have a lot of friends,” Sophia Ilyniak said, as Shawn Martel carried the four-month-old steel gray-and-white male in a cardboard carrier, accompanied by roommate Adrian Cohen-Gallant.

“We always wanted to adopt a cat,” he said en route back to the trio’s College and Dufferin Sts. flat.

As they were leaving, plans were underway for the last feline, Kitty, who has health issues, to be adopted.

“It’s great to have so many committed people,” McConachie said.

Still under the watchful eye of Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty (OSPCA) staff, the THS announced last week that all remaining animals had to be adopted by Monday, when it regains control of the River St. shelter.

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Animal lovers filed into the Toronto Humane Society's animal shelter on River Street Saturday to adopt a pet. The shelter is closing for restructuring until June 1.

With rumours circulating of remaining dogs and cats facing death, McConachie said an updated website adoption drive notice promised that any remaining animals would be put in foster homes, taken to the Victoria Park Ave. branch shelter or given to other animal rescue agencies.

“We found homes for all of them,” he said of about 80 remaining cats and about 40 dogs.

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This Toronto Humane Society cat is one of dozens that found new homes this weekend.

The OSPCA raided the shelter last November, arrested several executives on charges of animal cruelty and closed the facility.

Much of the controversy has surrounded the retention of unadopted, sick animals, the OSPCA stated.

Under a court-approved negotiated settlement, the THS will reopen June 1 after renovations, staff retraining on animal care policies, and with a new board of directors.

“We hope the public keeps coming, like they did for these animals, McConachie said.

“We’re not a sanctuary ... we’re a temporary refuge,” he said. “We want to move these animals to adoptive homes as quickly as possible so they can get the love and attention they deserve.

The THS asks for a $50 donation per cat, $100 per dog.

One remaining cat, Ethan, 14, whose age and diabetes made him difficult to place, will be No. 5 in the home of TTC bus driver and THS volunteer Greg Parliament.

“If I hadn’t taken him, he may have had to be put down,” Parliament, 50, said.

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