The trouble with words is that we “hear” them in different ways. Sometimes we hear what we want to hear. Sometimes we hear what others want us to hear. And sometimes the message is just not quite clear.

In the end, it’s the actions that follow the words that speak the loudest and with the most truth.

As the situation with the ringworm killings unfolded, I expressed a cautious support for the OSPCA — for a couple reasons. First, we need a humane shelter for our homeless animals. To simply shut it down leaves many animals with a lot less hope for a home and deprives the community of a needed service. Second, with this opportunity to take a look inside the OSPCA, we are afforded a great opportunity to make significant changes. Changes that will benefit the animals and bring a new trust and support for the work the OSPCA could be doing within the community. Maybe even a no-kill agenda.

I listened to their words as the OSPCA gave statements to the press. I rejoiced when they announced on Thursday that they had halted the killings at the Newmarket facility. I counted on them to honor their word. But then came news that three animals were killed on Friday… for “behavioral” reasons (my thoughts on that label are best saved for another post). Included in the three was Sago, a German Shepherd who has become the unofficial poster child for the anti-killing protests.

A caption under Sago’s photo in the online press mentioned that she was about to be adopted. Instead she is dead.

Why did these killings happen? What was the point of killing them at a time when the OSPCA said killings had been halted?

The deaths of these three animals the day after the OSPCA released a statement that killings had been halted has certainly given pause to my thinking that the current management was going to embark on a new path. I obviously heard what I wanted to hear when I read their statements. But their actions have set me straight.

At the very least, I am discouraged by their logic.

My focus returns to the animals that survived the killings. They are obviously not out of the woods.

As people scramble to correct the problems at OSPCA, let’s not forget these survivors. Kate MacDonald has stated that all will be quarantined and tested throughout the next month, but we must remain diligent in following up on them. We must not let these survivors fall through the cracks. And as soon as possible, we must ensure that they find loving, forever homes. Else their fate will be no brighter than it was before the ringworm outbreak. They will again hang precariously in the balance of life or death.

I encourage everyone to stay in close touch with the OSPCA regarding the progress of the animals still in their care. Request follow up reports often. Some may be ready for adoption before the 30-day period. Some may require more time. Either way, we need to find homes for them.

Will you be one of the homes?

Please share this post with your friends and ask them to share it with their friends… because we know there are homes for our homeless animals. We are thousands and they are but a couple hundred.

If you are interested in adopting or want to follow up on their progress, please contact the OSPCA. Let them know we have not forgotten the survivors.

Anne Buonaiuto, Executive Assistant to CEO
Phone: 905-898-7122 ext. 304 or abuonaiuto@ospca.on.ca

Take action…

Support a new OSPCA. Volunteer. Adopt. Share. Save a life!

Ciao, Holly

Related articles by Zemanta

• Mock funeral held for euthanized animals (thestar.com)
• Dog with ringworm adopted out of Newmarket shelter (thestar.com)

We got what we wanted today.

We protested, we made phone calls, we sent emails, we blogged, we tweeted, we wrote comments on various websites expressing our outrage that the OSPCA would systematically kill healthy animals because they had or might have ringworm — a treatable fungal skin condition. And to this end, we have saved the majority of the animals from the OSPCA “ringworm massacre.”

They are safe. For now.

We must not forget that we lost 99 lives.

From the words we have heard, the OSPCA has halted the killings. Does this mean they will seek treatment for the 23 dogs and 91 cats that possibly still remain in harms way? Could their lives still be hanging in the balance? I don’t think we know for sure.

Now begins the next step.

Tanya Firmage director of animal care, Kate MacDonald OSPCA Ceo, and Rosaline Ryan director of marketing and communications

There remains much to do. As our incredible champion in this fight, Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees has stated: “There is an inherent conflict of interest within the animal protection system because the same charitable organization that provides shelter for creatures also acts as the inspection and enforcement body.” This must be addressed.

I think we also need to insist on a thorough investigation by an independent, outside party to what happened, what went wrong, and what new procedures should be implemented to prevent any similar future scenarios. This goes towards rebuilding our faith and our trust.

But beyond that and more immediate are the animals that have so far survived.

Let’s look at the numbers: we started with the 350 animals that the OSPCA announced they would kill over several days:
- 99 were killed immediately
- 15 were stolen

Roughly speaking here’s what’s left:
- 8 turtles (immune to ringworm)
- 96 animals already in foster
- 15 animals not affected by the outbreak; in isolation
- 23 dogs and 91 cats need to be tested further; seeking temporary shelter for up to a month.

We now need 233 homes; less if people adopt more than one animal.

We stood up to save these animals from a death they did not deserve, so now we need to home them — either in foster  homes or adopted into forever homes. We need to give them what they have always deserved — a kind and loving family.

Will you do this? Will you be that home?

Please, the animals at the OSPCA still need us. Step forward again and be their home.

Or share this message with all your friends and ask them to share it with their friends.

Just as we were able to stop their deaths, we can find these wonderful creatures their forever homes.

We need to follow through on what we started when we decided to stand up for their lives.

Volunteer. Adopt. Share. Save a life!

Ciao, Holly

Related articles by Zemanta

• Mass euthanasia suspended at OSPCA shelter (thestar.com)

By Wednesday night, 99 animals had been euthanized, 155 were still in the shelter, and 96 were in their foster homes. Testing will continue in the next few days. [The Star]

Why does the OSPCA seem more willing to risk its credibility in the community by needleesly killing animals with ringworm than to accept the help of the many volunteers coming forward? Volunteers who are opening their arms and their hearts with their eyes wide open to the situation. Volunteers who realize this is a contagious condition, but they also realize it is a treatable condition.

Were the OSPCA to actually begin adoptions again, moving the infected animals into smaller households would speed up the cure rate. Ringworm breeds very well in a shelter environment — lots of warm bodies in small, moist areas. The masses need to be separated; they need to be bathed, medicated and moved.

Yes, this will take some diligence and some manpower, but the community has stepped up and is willing to help.

Why does the OSPCA seem so determined to run counter with the opinions of vets and other shelters that have knowledge and experience with ringworm? Why does the OSPCA seemingly ignore the protests of its own community? The community it counts on for the millions of dollars in donations it receives each year.

The provincial government says it does not have the authority to stop the OSPCA. However, such a battle of might should not proceed ahead of doing what is right. It should not require such authority to seize the incredible offerings of the public to help.

If the OSPCA continues with their plans to exterminate all the animals in their care, their problems will not stop when the last body bag leaves the shelter. People are not going to forget that they needlessly killed 350 animals as a shortcut to solving their ringworm problem.

In case they are not listening, let’s make some noise folks and demand the OSPCA be stopped. There are several ways to get involved:

• Attend the protest scheduled for Thursday, May 13, 2010
Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Location: 16586 Woodbine Avenue, RR 3

• Call and/or email Premier Dalton McGuinty
416-325-1941 | dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

• Call and/or email Community Safety Minister Rick Bartolucci 416-325-0408 | rbartolucci.mpp@liberal.ola.org

• Attend the funeral march for the animals killed by the OSPCA — Sunday, May 16 at Richmond Green Park, 1300 Elgin Mills Road East, between Bayview Avenue & Leslie Street, Richmond Hill. “We would like people to show up with empty animal carriers, collars and leashes, and wearing black clothes, just like a funeral,” said organizer Christine O’Neill.

• Join the Facebook group STOP THE SLAUGHTER OF OVER 350 ANIMALS AT THE NEWMARKET OSPCA for the latest on protests and calls to action.

The systematic killing of healthy animals with a treatable condition is woefully irresponsible. To not raise our voices to this injustice would be just as irresponsible.

“Never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”  ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ciao, Holly

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

UPDATE May 13, 2010: GREAT NEWS!!! The euthanasia of animals at a York Region shelter has been halted, according to Tory MPP Frank Klees.

It wouldn’t have happened without our collective voices and the incredible strength of MPP Klees for taking such a strong stance AGAINST this insanity.

Send him a thank you! fklees@frank-klees.on.ca

Here’s the breakdown per OSPCA website:

-99 animals have been humanely euthanized to date.

-96 animals have been fostered out to other accredited agencies, clinics, shelters and institutions capable of caring for them in isolation from other animals.

-15 animals have been stolen.

-15 animals who are not affected by the outbreak are in isolation in a portable structure on the site.

-23 dogs and 91 cats need to be tested further. We are seeking temporary shelter for these animals for up to a month.

 

Related articles by Zemanta

• Euthanasia at animal shelter sparks protests (cbc.ca)
• Euthanasia proceeds at Ontario animal shelter (cbc.ca)
• Cat owner rushes to OSPCA to rescue JJ from euthanasia (thestar.com)

May 13, 2010   //   Campaigns, Posts by Holly   //   6 Comments   //   Tags: Animal welfare, Canada, Dalton McGuinty, euthanasia, Ontario, Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, OSPCA

I wonder if Judge Murphy knows the extended joy felt in waves around the world yesterday as news of her ruling circumnavigated the world faster than the speed of sound or light.

I wonder if she has any idea how much happiness she created within the hearts of more people than she can perhaps imagine. People from most countries of the world. People that have stood by for almost two years as Francesca Rogier has fought for the life of her companion, her dog Brindi.

Yesterday afternoon in a Dartmouth, Nova Scotia courthouse, Judge Alanna Murphy created just such a tsunami when she ruled that Brindi would be released* from the city’s relentless 20-month stranglehold.

Yesterday afternoon, Judge Murphy let us know that the light at the end of the tunnel was NOT yet another train coming, but an opening back into the life Francesca and Brindi had barely started together.

Brindi supporters from around the world are rejoicing as messages of happiness continue to pour in.

Thank you, Judge Murphy, for choosing life over death; for giving Francesca and Brindi the much-asked chance to shine in the community!

You are world class to us one and all!

To Francesca, Brindi and Amelia — best wishes for a long and wonderful future!

Ciao, Holly

* Conditions for the release include: Francesca and Brindi must take training courses, Francesca must ensure there is a secure enclosure for Brindi at her home; Brindi must be muzzled when she is outside.

Contact info for Judge Murphy if you want to send a thank you:
Judge Alanna Murphy
Dartmouth Provincial Court Administration
277 Pleasant Street
Dartmouth, NS, B2Y3S2 CANADA
Fax: (902) 424-0677

Related articles by Zemanta

• Brindi the dog spared death (cbc.ca)
• Brindi death decision reserved (cbc.ca)
• Court to decide fate of seized dog (cbc.ca)
• N.S. woman spends $30,000 fighting for dog’s life (ctv.ca)

See more of Nick Brandt’s photos from Africa.

Want to see wild animals? Check this amazing gallery by photographer Nick Brandt.

This is what wild animals look like.

A couple of days ago we reported on the campaign started in Bonavista against Cirque Estival. Well.. sometimes it takes just a little sparkle to ignite a fire.

Protest is spreading all over Facebook and people have taken notice.

Mayor Betty Fitzgerald is having a meeting with the SPCA, I am confident drastic measures will be taken.

The world has changed, there is no place for the traditional circus in it any longer.

Canada is the birthplace of the world’s leading entertaining company, Le Cirque du Soleil. A circus act that has completely redefined the very meaning of the word.

Here is our suggestion for the town of Bonavista. Invite a circus, but a humane circus that places all its emphasis on human performance, not on poor animals having to dance motivated by fear and pain.

Here is a tongue-in-cheek example… a new kind of circus…