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

[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.