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.

 

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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

- ENGLISH FOLLOWS -

Disponible à l’adoption!

Roxanne est une chatte douce, timide, affectueuse et calme. Ma copine J.-D., qui est membre de notre groupe, l’a trouvée entrain de lécher le jus d’une vieille canne de thon par terre proche de notre appartement. Roxanne avait trop peur pour se laisser prendre. J.-D à alors commencé à la nourrir tous les soirs autour de la même heure pendant quelques jours. Un soir, Roxanne l’a carrément suivie jusque chez nous, juste a temps dailleurs : la premiere grosse tempête de neige de l’année approchait d’heure en heure.

Roxanne n’avait que la peau sur les os lorsque nous l’avons rentrée. Elle ne pesait presque rien et mangeait tout ce qu’elle trouvait. À chaque fois qu’il y aurait un grand bruit dans l’appartement, elle se cachait au plus vite. Elle a aussi très peur des chiens. Nous cherchons donc une maison calme pour elle, avec au moins un autre chat. Je crois aussi qu’elle serait populaire auprès des enfants à cause de sa gentillesse.

Regardez-la!… Elle est magnifique. Elle n’a aucune malice. Elle aime donner des bisous et se coller le matin. Nous n’avons aucun problème avec elle… sauf quand elle essaie de manger notre nourriture, qu’il faut maintenant surveiller de près!

Mes conditions d’adoption :

- Roxanne doit vivre à l’interieur.

- Vous devez déjà avoir un autre chat à la maison présentement.

- Vous devez être prêts à vous engager. Je ne cherche pas un endroit temporaire pour elle mais bien une famille permanente. Mais si pour n’importe quelle raison vous ne pouvez plus garder Roxanne, j’aimerais la ravoir.

- Vous devez être membre sur facebook, joindre notre groupe et bien vouloir nous donner une ou deux mises à jour apres l’adoption (si possible avec photos).

Roxanne sera stérélisée et vaccinée. Elle loge présentement à Sudbury, en Ontario, mais si vous n’êtes pas du tout dans le meme coin et êtes toujours intéressés, contactez-moi quand même. Notre groupe essayera d’arranger un transport pour vous.

-> Cliquez ici pour voir plus de photos! <-

Cath

cath@myletsadopt.com

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Available for adoption!

Roxanne is a shy, gentle, affectionate and quiet cat. One of our members, J.-D., found her outside licking tuna juice from an old empty can off the sidewalk, close to our appartment. Roxanne was so scared that J.-D. couldn’t handle her safely, so she started feeding her around the same time for 2 or 3 nights, and then one night the cat just followed her home. Just in time, because only a few hours later came our first major snowstorm of the year.

Roxanne was only skin and bones when brought inside. She weighed almost NOTHING and would eat anything. Everytime there would be a loud noise in the appartment, she would hide as quickly as possible. She’s also very scared of dogs. We are looking for a calm home with at least another cat. I believe children would like her because she is just so gentle.

Look at her… she’s so beautiful. She gives us kisses on the nose in the morning. She’s harmless and she should be no trouble at all… except that she’s so used to eating anything she can find, you will have to watch your food!

My adoption conditions:

- Roxanne must live inside the home.

- You must already have another cat.

- You must be ready to commit. I’m looking for a long-term adoption, not a short-term arrangement. But if for any reason you can’t keep Roxanne any longer, I want to get her back.

- You must join our facebook group and be willing to post updates and pictures of Roxanne after her adoption.

She is currently located in Sudbury, Ontario but if you’re not from the area and you’re still interested, contact me our group will try to organize transport.

-> Click here for more pictures! <-

Cath

cath@myletsadopt.com

Last week, I sent you all a message on facebook about a cat emergency in Ottawa. I don’t know if the message got delivered to you properly because no one responded.

Lucy was being neglected by her guardians and left to breed uncontrollably: fortunately, one of our volunteers decided to save her. She contacted the group and asked for help.

TOGETHER, WE MANAGED TO RESCUE LUCY. She traveled from Ottawa to Sudbury yesterday and she’s now far from the people who neglected her. She’s staying with me now, in a warm, safe home, even if it’s only a temporary one.

Right now, there are animals in this country that desperately need our help. We are supposed to be a TEAM, so next time we have an urgent case like this, I’d like to see more members getting involved, especially those who are in the area. I’d like to thank those who did get involved in this case, even just by showing their support or giving us advice. You rock!

Soon, we will bring Lucy to the veterinarian because she might be pregnant.

I’ll keep you updated.

Cath

La semaine dernière, je vous ai tous envoyé un message sur facebook à propos d’une urgence pour une chatte à Ottawa. J’ignore si le message s’est rendu à destination parce que personne ne ma répondu.

Lucy etait négligée par ses anciens gardiens qui la laissaient dehors et la laissaient se reproduire sans arrêt : heureusement, une de nos bénévoles s’est decidée à la prendre en charge. Elle a ensuite contacté le groupe pour obtenir de l’aide.

ENSEMBLES, NOUS AVONS RÉUSSI À LA SAUVER. Mon père a fait traverser la chatte à travers l’Ontario d’Ottawa jusqu’à Sudbury hier, l’éloignant ainsi des gens qui la négligaient. Elle réside chez moi maintenant, bien au chaud et en sécurité, meme si c’est seulement temporaire.

Il y a présentement des animaux ayant déséspérément besoin de notre aide à travers le pays. Nous sommes supposés être une ÉQUIPE… la prochaine fois que nous avons un cas urgent à régler comme celui-ci, j’aimerais que plus de membres s’impliquent, surtout s’ils sont dans le secteur concerné. J’aimerais aussi remercier les gens ayant participé au sauvetage de Lucy, même simplement en nous montrant votre support ou en nous donnant vos conseils. Vous êtes super!

Lucy sera amenée chez le vétérinaire sous peu car il se peut qu’elle soit enceinte.

Je vous garde au courant de ce qui se passe.

Cath