The No Kill Mentality—and Why Spay & Neuter?

A Town Near You

Somewhere tucked away in my State of Florida is a very rural town where the majority of its population is receiving government aid. There, citizens can barely afford to immunize their children, let alone feed them. There, animals roam freely, not really having a home to call their own, just hoping to get a bite to eat. I’m confident that I just described millions of little towns and communities scattered throughout the United States. It’s in these areas that we, as advocates, need to focus our time and energy.

The citizens clearly are just not informed as to what atrocities are taking place in their community, and lawmakers either don’t care, or they are asleep at the wheel.

While Florida is not a gassing state, the euthanasia rates in some communities are very high. In some cases, it s a local veterinarian who is making a handsome living because they are paid by the State to euthanize. As a matter-of-fact, in some cases, the veterinarian is paid per animal to euthanize.

So while we rescuers jump up and down screaming our arms about this extremely high euthanasia rate, we fail to understand why—why some of these shelters and pounds fail to work with rescuers, fail to deliver medical attention to these needy strays—because they make more money putting them down.

What communities and their leaders don’t realize, is that a low-cost or no-cost spay and neuter facility or program would, in the long run, save millions—not only dollars, but lives.

But ask yourself, why would a veterinary facility choose to spay/neuter an animal for $45 when they could make $100 per animal to euthanize?

That’s where you come in. Ah, I see you shaking your head no—so I’m going to stop you right there—don’t tell me we can’t. I’ve been there, and I know we can.

It only takes one person to stand up with their flag, and their keyboard to make statement; to write letters; to make phone calls; to create a presence of Facebook and rally support. It only takes one person to create a movement, town by town, city by city, to befriend the good guys and create a once-and-for-all solution to this problem we call, Death by the Pound.

Recently, I had an exchange of emails with a volunteer from one of these towns, who blasted my video about a dog that I took in who had Parvo.

I was unfair, she said. I should not blame the pound that the dog was sick, she said. In just a few exchanges of words, I explained to her that we could solicit change in that community, and create a long-term plan that would alleviate the problem, and she agreed. I urged her to create a Facebook page, reach out to lawmakers, contact other local area veterinarians, and businesses to rally support for a low-cost or no-cost spay/neuter program. It feel on deaf ears. Maybe some advocates would rather be the savior that plucks dogs off of death row, one by one, instead of solving the problem.

One of the major excuses I hear about this debate is the mentality of rural communities prevent change. I challenge that mentality, because when it comes to taxes, everyone listens, just look at New Mexico as a model for change.

While I will not participate in these debates, because I believe they are irrelevant, and a waste of my time, I choose not to involve myself because I believe the answer is spay/neuter.

TWO SIDES—The No-Kill Controversy

http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/index.html

http://www.nathanwinograd.com/

A message from a Shelter Administrator, and her opinions:

I have read Redemption, it is a truly great book if you have never worked in an animal shelter, and how it does get the animal lovers rallied, but I have been through mass euthanasia when a no-kill plan was poorly implemented. Here is a flip side article about Mr. Winograd. We should all try to gather all sorts of facts before making a decision, and make safe choices. Don't get me wrong, there are good programs in his book. Please take a moment and review this website before making any conclusions:

http://www.helpinganimals.com/f-Winograd-No-Kill.asp?hanwnkggl&gclid=CN_ctOiqqJICFQERPAod4W4pRQ

Amazon.com Widgets

“Al and Kelpie”

Photo by Gisele Veilleux

Defining what is an Adoptable Dog?

The San Diego Reader

Think about it:

While spaying a female costs a little bit more than neutering a male, a female dog can have only an average of two litters per year. A female cat, however, can get pregnant while nursing. If you neuter a male, however, you could potentially prevent hundreds of litters from being born each and every year of that dog’s life. You do the math!

In the News

Palm Beach County, Florida

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/mplayer/marathon of the palm beaches/57029

Dianne Sauve, Director at Animal Control, discusses the mandatory spay and neuter proposal.

PalmBeachPost.com

Major points:

Most Pit Bull owners resist sterilization

Euthanasia is not a form of birth control

New Ordinance

San Antonio, Texas 2004

Death by the Pound

The Dog Liberator: The questions that we are asked, and the answers are all found here on this website.

Is there a right and wrong way to surrender my pet? What things can I try to avoid surrendering my pet? Is there a difference between shelters and pounds? What states still use carbon monoxide (gassing shelters) in this country? Why some states have laws preventing them from gassing animals, yet still do? Why some people are so against rescues? Why rescues are against irresponsible breeding? What is a responsible breeder? What is breed-specific legislation? Why are animals stolen? Is it okay to buy a dog from the internet? What cities use carbon monoxide to kill dogs? Does my community use the gas box? Are there purebred dogs in shelters and pounds? Should I buy a puppy from the internet? What are the different forms of euthanasia? Should I post my dog on Craig’s list or Freecycle? Should I ask for a re-homing fee? Why can’t I post my dog Free To A Good Home online? What cities have reduced euthanasia rates and increased adoption rates?