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

[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.

[king2005]

I'm glad 20 might survive this. What about the 6 humans infected? Are they recovering?

[Catty1]

They're examining each animal on a case by case basis...so more may be spared.

No word on the humans....but I haven't checked the news in a few hours.

[Catty1]

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.

[king2005]

I can see this getting much uglier as in infecting many uninvolved pets & humans...

I was suppose to take Cam to get spayed by the OSPCA (different building) in that city in a month or so & Digi needs her Bordatella (sp)... Wont be taking them anywhere near NewMarket now... I can't put my babies at Risk!!!

[caseysmom]

Is it really that big of a deal for humans? Don't you just put some cream on and it kills the fungus?

[king2005]

Is it really that big of a deal for humans? Don't you just put some cream on and it kills the fungus?

Its suppose to be worse strain, so I doubt its going to be as simple as that... Even if it is, many people cannot afford to buy medications anyways... ESP in my area... so I really hope it doesn't spread to here.

[IRescue452]

You know what, as soon as they can start taking in more animals, they'll be full up again in no time. People only care when news like this happens, and that quickly goes away. Its not the shelter's fault they have so many animals to treat to begin with and thus such a small skin issue grew to such proportions. I feel bad for them for all of the mudslinging. Shelters don't HAVE to take on other people problems (unwanted aminals). Nobody HAS to take the responsibility of all of these unwanted animals except the owners. Shelters VOLUNTEER to try to do what's right for the animals, and then they get the full blame when the animals must be put down. At least somebody tried in a world where most people don't care enough to do anything significant about pet overpopulation. If just for one day, all unwanted pets were to be humanely put out of there misery, they'd be replaced by the next morning. What's going to happen to the pets who were saved? Back to their cages for more of their lifetime to be spent wasting away?

[king2005]

You know what, as soon as they can start taking in more animals, they'll be full up again in no time. People only care when news like this happens, and that quickly goes away. Its not the shelter's fault they have so many animals to treat to begin with and thus such a small skin issue grew to such proportions. I feel bad for them for all of the mudslinging. Shelters don't HAVE to take on other people problems (unwanted aminals). Nobody HAS to take the responsibility of all of these unwanted animals except the owners. Shelters VOLUNTEER to try to do what's right for the animals, and then they get the full blame when the animals must be put down. At least somebody tried in a world where most people don't care enough to do anything significant about pet overpopulation. If just for one day, all unwanted pets were to be humanely put out of there misery, they'd be replaced by the next morning. What's going to happen to the pets who were saved? Back to their cages for more of their lifetime to be spent wasting away?

+1
They are not a Pet Sanctuary, & People don't realize that.