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

**king2005** · 05-12-2010, 01:55 PM

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

**Catty1** · 05-12-2010, 02:32 PM

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** · 05-13-2010, 10:01 AM

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** · 05-13-2010, 01:51 PM

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** · 05-13-2010, 01:54 PM

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

**king2005** · 05-13-2010, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by caseysmom

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.

**caseysmom** · 05-13-2010, 03:39 PM

When bubba had it I contained it and none of the other pets or myself got it. His medicine was quite expensive. I do believe humans can get the otc version that is not so much though. whenever I took bubba in for a checkup the vet looked at my arms to make sure I didn't have any sign of it.

I was a mad woman about vacuuming and even bathed casey with the special shampoo to prevent her from getting it.

**Catty1** · 05-17-2010, 06:10 PM

http://www.torontosun.com/news/toron.../13982951.html

Animal care attendants at the OSPCA’s notorious Newmarket shelter got their walking papers Monday.

Officials with the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said 26 attendents were the targets of “temporary layoffs” because all the animals were moved out of the ringworm-infested shelter.

OSPCA spokesman Alison Cross stressed the layoffs were “definitely temporary” and the workers would be brought back when the ringworm is gone and the agency resumes regular operations.

After 102 animals were euthanized last week, the shelter was emptied of the last remaining animals Friday, forcing the charity to layoff staff Monday, Cross said.

“That’s because we have no animals for them to care for,” she said.

Around 15 animals are still on the property in temporary shelters outside the main building. Those pets arrived at the shelter after the ringworm outbreak.

Cross said rumours on social networking websites that the layoffs occurred so three dogs could be euthanized were false.

“We’re not planning on euthanizing any dogs,” she said.

While the Newmarket shelter was empty, the staff at the Abbotsford Animal Hospital was busy looking after 31 pets from the OSPCA.

Veterinarian Dr. Mark Cole receieved 25 cats and six dogs from the OSPCA late Friday after his clinic was offered as one of many foster homes for animals in the Newmarket shelter.

The Aurora vet is now scrambling to find towels and kitty litter to care for the animals while still waiting for word from the OSPCA on whose responsible for what in the foster relationship.

“Thirty-one (animals) are safe and sound here,” Cole told the Sun Monday from his Yonge St. animal hospital. “We’re just happy to know they are out of there.”

All the animals are undergoing physicals but cursory exams done over the weekend found no obvious signs of ringworm or any other conditions, he said.

“All are in good shape,” Cole said, adding it was a shame the OSPCA didn’t ask the community for help earlier.

“I think they underestimated the response from the community,” Cole said.

Ringworm has been spreading through the Newmarket shelter population since February, even spreading to staff and volunteers.

A week ago, the OSPCA told staff and volunteers that it would begin “depopulating” the pet population trapped in the building.

The OSPCA initially said 350 animals would be euthanized. After a howls of protest, OSPCA board chairman Rob Godfrey announced only around 100 animals would be put to death.

**phesina** · 05-17-2010, 06:55 PM

God bless Dr. Mark Cole and the staff at the Abbotsford Animal Hospital.

Are they (OSPCA) still going to euthanize some 100 animals?

**king2005** · 05-17-2010, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by phesina

God bless Dr. Mark Cole and the staff at the Abbotsford Animal Hospital.

Are they (OSPCA) still going to euthanize some 100 animals?

About 100 animals have been PTS already. To my understanding, they were the worst cases.

**Catty1** · 05-17-2010, 10:42 PM

From the article:

After 102 animals were euthanized last week, the shelter was emptied of the last remaining animals Friday, forcing the charity to layoff staff Monday, Cross said.

It ends there. The rest are fostered in clinics, homes, and temporary shelter outside the building in Newmarket.

**phesina** · 05-18-2010, 01:36 PM

Oh, thank God. I'm so glad they weren't talking about 100 MORE to be euth'd.

Many, many thanks for all those caring people who stepped up to the plate to keep this tragedy from extending further than it already had.

This line especially made me sad:
“All are in good shape,” Cole said, adding it was a shame the OSPCA didn’t ask the community for help earlier.

**IRescue452** · 05-19-2010, 12:56 PM

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** · 05-19-2010, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by 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?

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