Newmarket OSPCA to euthanize hundreds of animals Update #23 - temporary layoffs
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.
Human error led to mass euthanasia at Newmarket animal shelter: OSPCA
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.
OSPCA suspends mass euthanasia at Newmarket shelter
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/arti...t-shelter?bn=1
OSPCA suspends mass euthanasia at Newmarket shelter
Published 1 hour 10 minutes ago
Brendan Kennedy Staff Reporter
The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will not go ahead with plans to kill all of the ringworm-infected animals at its Newmarket shelter, a local MPP said Thursday.
The reversal comes after widespread criticism of the decision, announced earlier this week, to euthanize all of the shelter’s nearly 350 animals in an attempt to contain the ringworm outbreak, which also affected six staff members.
According to Newmarket MPP Frank Klees, 99 animals had already been euthanized when the OSPCA decided to halt the killing.
Klees said another 96 animals had been placed in foster homes, where they will be tested and treated, and 140 remain at the shelter, awaiting further testing and treatment.
Animals will now be looked at individually to determine whether or not euthanasia is required, Klees said.
OSPCA officials could not be reached Thursday morning for comment.
The OSPCA’s about-face comes after heated protests outside its Newmarket shelter, where OSPCA volunteers, donors and other protestors openly wept and shouted “Murderers!” at the organization’s staff.
“Over time, public opinion took over, very clearly,” Klees said Thursday morning.
OSPCA CEO Kate MacDonald says on the organization’s website that it has been dealing with the situation since February.
But according to shelter insiders, the outbreak really began in early April, after staff found a cat, believed to be a long-haired Himalayan, with bald patches and scaly skin.
The animal was put into isolation, the former employee said, and staff tried to disinfect the building with a bleach solution and a fungicide. Meanwhile, all the animals were treated with a specialized dip. Several animals with severe lesions were put down in an attempt to curb the growing epidemic, but the infection continued to spread.
Klees said the OSPCA’s decision came after a phone conversation he had with OSPCA chairman Rob Godfrey on Wednesday night.
“I expressed to Rob that I believe it would be in the best interest of the OSPCA to bring an end to this euthanasia plan,” Klees said, refusing to discuss the details of the conversation.
