Family Distraught After Surrendered Cats Euthanized
The Melson family took their cats Muffy and Duke to an animal shelter on Friday morning to give them up.
But by Friday evening, the couple had a change of heart. Irene Melson cried all night and decided that they shouldn’t have surrendered their cats.
The Melsons went back to the shelter on Saturday morning, but Muffy and Duke had already been euthanized. The couple was extremely upset over their cats’ deaths and thought the cats were euthanized too soon.
Sam Newsome, director of the Animal Control Bureau, said the cats were evaluated twice and deemed to be unadoptable. “The notes on this said that they were hissing and swiping … and that they would hide and were very reclusive,” he said.
He added some cats can’t handle a shelter environment and are euthanized because they can’t adapt and may undergo a personality transformation.
Melson said her cats would have been fine if they were given time to adjust to the new environment. She said her cats were killed because they were scared. She stated that the shelter didn’t give the cats enough time and a chance to determine if they were unfriendly.
The Melson family surrendered their cats because they said they couldn’t give the cats the attention they needed. They had cared for Muffy for ten years and Duke for five years.
They thought the cats would have at least been in the shelter for a week before they were euthanized.
Newsome said the rule applies to stray pets. State law requires that animals without some kind of identification be held at the shelter for 10 days.
When people bring the pet to the shelter, the owners sign a release form that gives the county ownership of the pet and warns that there is the potential for early euthanization if the shelter decides the animal cannot be adopted.
Newsome stated that sometimes shelters don’t have any other option. Workers tells owners that pets will go through an evaluation process and there is no guarantee that the pet will find a home.
The Melson family hopes that no one else will have to deal with a similar situation.
“What we’re really trying to do is get something enacted where there’s at least a 24-hour waiting period before they can do that, understanding that they are full and that they get many animals coming in,” Irene said.
Newsome agreed and said the shelter would enact a waiting period of at least 24 hours. He just wishes that things had gone differently for the Melson family, Muffy and Duke.
Source: Potomac News
(Thanks H.M.)
August 31st, 2007 at 6:34 am
While it is heart wrenching to think about those poor cats dying unnecessarily, wtf were those “pet parents” thinking in the first place: dumping off a 10 and 5 year old cat they didn’t have time for anymore?
Are they lacking in reading skills that they just signed their pets’ lives away to an institution? It says right on the paper work the animals can be killed if necessary. DOH.
I do think the shelter was very hasty, but right now there is a huge surplus of very adoptable animals and there are many reasons they’d want to make room for them, not hissing, scared, old, surrendered animals.
3/4 blame on the owners for their stupidity and lack of responsibility and 1/4 blame on the shelter for not giving the cats time to adjust.
August 31st, 2007 at 8:32 am
Those poor cats :( At least they don’t have to deal with moronic people anymore and I hope they are having a great time at Rainbow Bridge.
I wonder if these “pet owners” would also give away their own child if they couldn’t give it the attention it needed?
August 31st, 2007 at 8:36 am
“The Melson family surrendered their cats because they said they couldn’t give the cats the attention they needed.”
Well, I guess they won’t have to worry about them anymore.
August 31st, 2007 at 8:37 am
This is just a sad, sad situation that should not have happened. How anyone could give away a 5 and 10 year old for that reason is beyond reason. The shelter didn’t give those cats time to adjust and euthanized way too quickly, but this happens every day all over the country. I hope the humans have learned a very important lesson, sadly the cats’ lives were taken for no good reason at all.
August 31st, 2007 at 8:42 am
What kind of people are the Melson’s having cats for ten and five years and then “dumping ” them in a shelter? Put away the crocodile tears Melsons, you and only you are responsible for what happened to those poor cats. Do all animals a favor and NEVER get a pet of any kind again!!!
August 31st, 2007 at 8:50 am
Of course they were hissing & swatting. I would be too if I was put in a scarey and unfamiliar place! I think the animal shelter should have held on to those cats longer than a few hours! For shame!!!
August 31st, 2007 at 9:17 am
I feel badly for the cats.
But really, how stupid can the Melsons be to assume pets that they relinquished would be kept alive? Number one rule in spite of what anyone tells you: if you are releasing your animal to a shelter, it’s going to be first on the death list. Don’t be naive and assume that they’ll be adopted.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:37 am
A bit hasty maybe? But to me the Melsons killed there own cats, sounds like to me!
August 31st, 2007 at 9:49 am
I agree, it drives me nuts to read about shelters like this one that kill cats simply because the cats are afraid. I read about one such place some years ago, the ‘test’ they used was to poke a pencil in at the cat. If the cat acted afraid, hissed or smacked at it, it was put down. Anybody who knows anything about cats knows that they do not always take well to unfamiliar surroundings. Esp. older, adult cats like these; and esp. cats who had lived their whole lives in a quiet and secure environment. Suddenly being put in a shelter is extremely terrifyimg for the cat. Basically, these shelters are using dog-testing methods to evaluate cats’ adoptability, and it won’t work. Perhaps humane societies should make it a cause to inform shelters of this fact. Cats are cats- they see the world differently, they respond to stimuli differently. The very cat that seems the most stressed might, once they settle down, be the most loving. But I also agree, what were they thinking to take their cats to the shelter like that? So sorry the poor cats paid the price…
August 31st, 2007 at 10:06 am
Sickening. The cats owners surrendering the cats was just stupid. Those poor cats were traumatized at being abandoned by their people. What a horrid conclusion to these kitties life. I hope that they DO NOT get any more pets because they will probably loose interest in them too. They betrayed those cats and absolutely were responsible for the cats being euthanized. THAT IS WHAT MOST SHELTERS DO!
August 31st, 2007 at 10:11 am
people think they are giving up their pets to some other owner when they dump themat a shelter. Actually, I think shelters should be much more explicit about what is likely to happen. Rather than hiding their euth rates, they should publish them widely. Maybe that would discourage some of the incidents like this one.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:11 am
What the Melsons did was wrong. I seriously doubt that a responsible shelter would have given them their cats back.
What the shelter did was criminal. They “tested” these cats twice in a period of a few hours? In a scary new environment they were given zero chance to adjust to? Sorry, but they were very eager to kill those poor cats, and the same thing would have happened to the beloved pets of someone forced to surrender them because of a human medical condition making it impossible for them to care for the cats anymore.
The Melsons were wrong to surrender the cats to the shelter, but it’s the shelter that not only killed them, but was looking for a reason to kill them as fast as possible.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:23 am
I agree with Nancy G. No-Kill Nation Advocacy groups feel that the rate of adoption of ALL animals that come into a shelter is the best measure of a shelter’s success.
But if the shelters are funded through donations, telling the world that many, many animals are being killed is not going to get them the $s.
I wonder, did the Melson’s make any attempt to rehome the cats, did they call any no-kill or cat-only shelters?
In any case, a very tragic ending for everybody.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:05 am
I feel sorry for everyone involved, especially the cats. At the Renaissance Festival in Shakopee Minnesota there is a booth called the Leather Rose that sells kitten skull necklaces. I complained to the Festival office and also to the Humane Society but nobody returned my calls. I don’t know what to do next. This is so sick
August 31st, 2007 at 11:31 am
I am sorry but I have no sympathy for these people. The Melson family is responsible for the death of their pets. If they truly cared about their cats well-being, they would NOT have surrendered them to a shelter. Surrendering is the easy way out. The convenient way.
Someone who truly cared for the cats, but found themselves in a situation where they can no longer care for their pets properly, does their research. They can foster their own cats for God’s sake! They can find their cat’s adoptive parents!
August 31st, 2007 at 12:31 pm
[…] Itchmo posted a news story today, detailing the sad story of Muffy and Duke, two cats whose owners took them to the an animal shelter when they decided that they could no longer care for them. However, during the evening, the couple had a change of heart, and decided to get the cats back, believing that animals were kept at the shelter for at least a week before euthanization.The next morning, the couple returned to the shelter to pick up their cats, only to find that Muffy and Duke had already been euthanized. Less than 24 hours in the shelter, the cats were euthanized. […]
August 31st, 2007 at 1:57 pm
many kill shelters are very upfront about what will happen to surrenders. many owners just prefer to believe *not their pet, it’s perfect*. owner surrenders need to be tested quickly if the shelter is full because the shelter is not legally required to hold them as they are with strays. and older cats don’t have the best chance of getting out alive. i’m guessing many shelters are full up on cats and kittens right now . . .
if you sign the surrender form, you ARE signing their life away, one way or the other.
August 31st, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Unbelievable, I agree with the prior posts that these so called “pet guardians” are A**H****!!!! Anyone who cares about their animals WOULD NEVER surrender them for such a stupid reason and if they did, it wouldn’t be to shelter….I can’t believe they are even telling the story!!! My heart bleeds for those poor scared cats. Those people should never be allowed to adopt or have another pet again! It infuriates me that people dispose of pets like used kleenex.
August 31st, 2007 at 2:10 pm
The owners of those ppor cats were to blame in giving up their cats in such a cavalier manner, yes…but in reality, I believe that there is no place for a kill shelter in today’s society. I firmly believe that dogs and cats should be given the same rights to life, with the same protection and consideration, as human beings. As I have said again and again…this accepted policy of killing cats and dogs in huge quatities (which is genocide any way you slice it) is immoral, unethical, and downright evil. IF we want to call ourselves a civilized, advanced society, kill shelters need to be made illegal. TNR programs should be in full implementation, and state, local and federal government should put a large amount of the taxes we fund with our hard earned money towards programs that are in line with the no kill philosophy. Instead of building a goddamned new sports stadium, allocate that money towards helping abandoned pets. Cats and dogs are the truly innocent victims of society, and the most deserving of society’s protection. They should be at the top in our priorities, along with young children.
August 31st, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Also, let’s not forget that many kill shelters and “humane societies” practice a policy of pound seizure, in which they give up surrendered pets to any animal experimentation labs that desire them (the Mengeles of today, as far as I’m concerned). Some states make this mandatory…shelters must give up surrendered animals to these labs to be tortured for God nows how long in the name of “science”, whenever the labs request them. So be careful if you surrender your pet to a shelter…you may be signing your pet’s life away to a fate even worse than death. Ask for a shelter’s policy on pound seizure, but preferably, look for a no kill shelter that is sincere in its advocation of animal welfare.
August 31st, 2007 at 3:06 pm
While I agree the shelter was hastey, this is peak kitten season, I am sure there was not a lot of room to keep 2 older cats. Now I can not believe anyone would take an animal they had for 10 years to the pound. How someone could do that and sign the paperwork just amazes me and then to blame the shelter!!?? crazy just plain crazy.
August 31st, 2007 at 3:36 pm
These poor cats were victims twice….first the people who I presume had them for years were moral idiots who decided the best place to “rehome”…read DUMP…their cats was in kill shelter.
As the to “shelter”….seems like the people running this place just can not wait to kill.
August 31st, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Carol, I totally agree with you…these shelters are very eager to kill. I don’t think a true animal lover could ever work in a kill shelter…kill shelters are havens for those who couldn’t give a damn and for those who actually dislike animals. After all, the leading cause of death for healthy cats and dogs in the USA is kill shelters. And they really shouldn’t call it “euthanasia”…these animals suffer as they are being killed. They are gassed in ovens, even electrocuted. I have heard accounts that after the animals are crammed in the death chambers and are yelping and meowing in a terrified manner as the gas or whatever killing agent enters, the shelter workers laugh. Truly despicable people. True criminals.
August 31st, 2007 at 4:14 pm
My heart goes out to these people, but at the same time, you REALLY need to think before you decide to give your pets up. You MUST assume that euthanasia is a possible, if not likely, outcome, ESPECIALLY for cats, and MOST ESPECIALLY for adult cats.
I hope they learned a lesson. When it comes to pets, if you love something, you DON’T set it free — or at least you don’t drop it off at a kill shelter.
If they didn’t want the cats to be euthed, they should have taken the time to re-home the cats themselves. It takes patience, effort, and love to do that — things, I guess, these people didn’t feel these cats warranted. How sad, since they had been their pets for some time.
I have to wonder — if they can drop off their long time pets at a kill shelter because they “don’t have time” for them, what will they do with their children when they “don’t have time for them” either?
Having said all that, however, I would definitely support their effort to enact a waiting period. People do sometimes change their minds about giving up pets when they have a chance to think of what it really means. Or — more tragically — one spouse gets angry at the other and takes the spouse’s pet to the kill shelter. To guard against euthanasia happening in those circumstances, there should definitely be a minimum waiting period, even for unadoptable pets. That 1 in a million time the family changes its mind will be worth it.
Stefani
The Toonces Project
http://www.TheTooncesProject.com
“Is Your Pet Safe at the Vet?”
August 31st, 2007 at 4:18 pm
“these shelters are very eager to kill”
that’s a crock of crap. and true animal lovers do work in kill shelters. gassing is outlawed in some places and i’m sure electrocuting is far from the norm and possibly/prob illegal.
“I have heard accounts”
you may want to try and get some info first hand. yes, there’s some not so great kill shelters out there, but there are many others that are doing the best they can with the overflow of animals they receive DAILY. don’t blame the kill shelters or their workers. blame the CAUSE. people with a lack of responsibility towards pets/animals. kill shelters wouldn’t be here without them.
August 31st, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Re: the comments of Emily S and Bane:
Emily, I totally agree with you that shelters should point-blank tell the owners of owner surrenders that their pets will most likely be euthed. And they should specify the manner of euthanasia.
Bane, I agree with you that dogs and cats deserve special protection. I would expand that to all companion animals.
I am an animal lover and believe all animals deserve more respect and better treatment than they currently have, including animals we raise for food, whose lives have become increasingly miserable.
But I do believe we have a special responsibility to those animals we breed to share our lives with us. They give us so much on a daily basis, there must be some reciprocal responsibility on our parts to value their lives. I believe they warrant special protection under the law.
We owe them.
Stefani
The Toonces Project
http://www.TheTooncesProject.com
“Is Your Pet Safe at the Vet?”
August 31st, 2007 at 5:54 pm
the shelters right now (all of them- no kill and kill and all the private rescues) are swamped with kittens let alone adult cats.most people want to adopt cute young kittens not traumatized older cats who have been booted from their homes or picked up off the street. i’m not saying i agree with it, any of it, but that is the fact of the matter. adult cats do not have as much chance of adoption and are usually the ones killed first. if you don’t know that when giving up the allegedly precious pet you can’t live without, you’re not stupid nor hoodwinked but really in complete denial as well as being a major projectionist.
so now you get to blame the shelter and shift the responsibility from yourselves. you killed your own beloved cats - you did it. sin in haste, blame everyone else at leisure. nearly every shelter that’s no kill states it explicitly on sites like petfinder. the ones that say nothing about it kill. and as others have stated ,they’d never get any money from people if the did outright say it and even more animals would be at risk.it’s dirty work but a work they are doing so irresponsible pet owners won’t have to do it or think about it.in their hearts, i know people are aware that these places kill .they just can’t face it honestly and still dump off their ‘ inconvenience” so they plunge themselves in denial and later the big crocodile tears are rolled out.
and see how some of the blame is even shifted on to the poor cats- those cats demanded too much of our time .it was actually really cruel not to give them attention so better to have them whacked by a third party who can thus assume even our guilt.
one thing that drives me absolutely crazy are craigslist posts by the clearly psychologically damaged maggots of the world saying basically-”i’m getting rid of muffy. you better not question me as to why and you better adopt her soon or i’ll be force to send her to the shelter.” it’s always presented as a threat- it’s as if theyre blaming everyone who reads their pathetic post for their irresponsible selfish act. adopt my cat that i am getting rid of or it’s your fault, not mine, she’s dumped in the shelter and killed.
and if there were no kill shelters at all who in the hell is going to pay for those animals? are you? they don’t have the staff, the space, nor the funds to care for every poor victim of screwed up humans.there are plenty of people working in kill shelters who really do care about animals and make extracurricular efforts to save particular animals who are going to be put down. they call rescuers in and they place ads in places like craigslist on their own time. they’re not all barbarians thirsting for the blood of old ,ugly , cranky, or lame kittens. kill shelters exist because of human negligence. the kill shelters i have adopted cats from have all gone out of their way to be helpful to me including bending the rules a bit. thank god for the good people who do love animals that are able to work in these places-i know i couldn’t do it. some really do their best to save and help those who have lesser chances of adoption.
as i think i stated previously- when a adopted my 10 year old himalayan i was the only one taking in a pet not dropping one off. she had been in the shelter over a month, isn’t exactly miss love bomb ( the guy kept oddly pointing out how difficult she was. btw-she’s not at all .she settled right in and everyone is madly in love with her )and i think her time was nigh-they practically chased me out the door with her so no one would notice that they were unable to contact my landlord. i left thrilled with my new cat but grieving for those victims of human irresponsibility left behind.
August 31st, 2007 at 5:58 pm
The owners were imbeciles.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Sorry Straybaby, but if a person works in a kill shelter…they are NOT true animal lovers. Period. Anyone who condones and carries out the killing of healthy animals is someone who just doesn’t care all that much. People who truly care choose to work in no kill shelters or with organizations that promote no-kill such as No Kill Solutions. I’m sure there are other quality no -kill organizations as well. Stop defending killers. I will continue to blame kill shelters and their workers. True, irresponsible owners do supply these shelters with their victims, but I don’t know where humans got the arrogance that they had the right to establish institutions to “dispose” of unwanted animals. The world is overpopulated with people, but you don’t see anyone advocating “euthanizing” them, now , do you? Why shouldn’t animals receive the same care and consideration? Gassing and electrocution are most certainly still used. These shelters insist on killing large numbers of animals a day…mass killing cannot be done humanely. When large numbers of animals are killed, it is not possible to make sure each animal passes away painlessly and there are not the resources to supply the best euthanasia drugs or to employ quality veterinarians who can administer these drugs painlessly and properly. Do not expect any decency from these people. They have none. They will cut corners, to the animals’ detriment. As long as you tolerate this system, the status quo will remain. Educate yourself. Visit www.nokillsolutions.com or another no kill advocacy site and you will see that the rhetoric that the kill shelters feed the public that killing is a “tragic necessity” is the true”crock of crap”.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Stefani, I totally agree with you. And it’s true, all companion animals deserve our care and consideration.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Mittens, I think that no kill shelters should be funded by federal, state or local money as well as donations. I do pay what I can to these shelters. I would not object to my taxes increasing to pay for no kill shelters. I do object to my taxes increasing to pay for government documents to be translated into 16 different languages (that’s just an example of what I consider to be frivolous use of tax dollars). I think it is outrageous that government agencies fund kill shelters and trigger happy animal control but give not a cent to no-kill shelters. We need to start supporting politicians who would change that. I pay taxes… I would rather that money was used to fund a no kill initiative to help surrendered pets in a city rather than to fund some new government program that gives money to people who don’t want to work but walk around wearing the latest sneakers and drive SUVs in that city. Also, true justice would be if every cent that Vick possessed was confiscated and given to no kill shelters. There should be a federal law that all animal abusers are required to pay a substantial sum to no-kill shelters, even if that means garnishing their wages for years to come (after they get out of prison). That would provide some revenue and improve things a bit, too.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:52 pm
They should only be upset if they took them to a no-kill shelter and then were put down.
To give up a cat or dog or any animal because you can’t give them the time they need, means you need to reprioritize your own life.
I hope they learned their lesson - too bad it was the innocent that had to pay the price.
August 31st, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Bane, I’m in NYC so please don’t shove the no kill message down my throat. and don’t you dare tell me to educate myself. why don’t you come here and stop the killing. betcha ya can’t do it. and don’t you dare say the people in kill shelters are not true animal lovers. many work their butts off trying to do the best by the animals. working in a no-kill is far easier and avoids the necessary evil while giving the so called animal lover a holier than thou feeling. false as it may be. no-kill shelters get the donations. no-kill shelters get the volunteers. no kill shelters get the adopters that think they are saving a life. and what do the kill shelters get to help save animals? not much from the so-called true animal lovers as they are too busy supporting no-kill where the animals are safe.
since you’re so busy blaming the kill shelters, why don’t you tell NYC how it can stop the killing tomorrow and house all the strays and dumped pets. i’m sure you must have a solution that can make them stop killing 30,000 a year on the spin of a dime. and i’m sure other shelters across the nation would like the same answer. and it takes more than a web link babe.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:33 pm
The owners are 100% responsible for the killings of their 2 cats. Turn me loose, even in a no kill shelter, and I’ll find the freezer. No kill shelters state something like-as long as the pet is healthy there will not be euthanasia. Well overcrowd them and see how many get sick. I would say that the outlook of the shelter was why keep old scared cats who are so stressed they will probably get sick when the young settled ones aren’t finding homes. Who’s to say even if the 2 cats by some miracle got adopted that they would adjust to a new home, not scratch or bite a child, or bolt out the door. I am nauseated by the fact that our society mass kills our domestic pets in shelters. But is not the shelters that are the initiators of the over population (unless they don’t neuter before adoption or get a hefty deposit) . It is not the shelters who injected stupidity or lack of empathy into the ‘human race’. The owners were told early euthanasia was a possibility and signed a release. Yet they still dumped their cats there. What? In a 12 hour span they suddenly found time for their cats. Give me a break.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:53 pm
I am appalled by this whole situation.
1st, shame on the people who could “dump” 2 family members knowing full well that they “could” be killed. Unbelievable. Yes, they are trying to pass the blame and I don’t buy it. If they cared about their cats, they would have found homes for them not turned them them over to people who told them they could be killed!
2nd, shame on the shelter. Most cats when put into a cage in a new environment will be scared to death. You know that and I know that. (Yes, I’ve worked with cats at shelters). So, that is no excuse to kill them. Just tell the truth: you think because they are 5 and 10 yrs old no one will adopt them so you’re opening up a spot for a younger cat. But you don’t know that they could not be adopted because you didn’t give them the chance.
3rd, shame on everyone that doesn’t get their animals (cats and dogs) spayed or neutered. With millions of animals being killed in shelters each year, no one should be letting them animals get pregnant!
August 31st, 2007 at 11:22 pm
“since you’re so busy blaming the kill shelters, why don’t you tell NYC how it can stop the killing tomorrow and house all the strays and dumped pets. i’m sure you must have a solution that can make them stop killing 30,000 a year on the spin of a dime. and i’m sure other shelters across the nation would like the same answer. and it takes more than a web link babe.”
And, I would further chime in, stop your (not yours Straybaby) analogies to genocide, nazis and the holocaust for shelters that may not be no-kill but are trying to deal as best as they can, and save as many as they can, when they didn’t start the mess but are only taking care of what is begun by irresponsible humans. Your idealogical rants are making me want to stay away from a place I like to hang out. Genocide? Holocaust? Mengele? That is obscene analogy.
September 1st, 2007 at 7:13 am
Straybaby…it’s because of people like you…defeatists hostile to the no-kill movement…that millions of animals die unnecessarily every year. IF you really want to help NYC save animals, have your local kill shelter consult Nathan Winograd at www.nokillsolutions.com for help. He would be delighted to help. The no-kill equation requires a new way of thinking, a willingness to reject the traditional two pronged “adopt out a few, kill the rest” paradigm, and a compassionate shelter director who rejects the traditional killing machine. There are several aspects of the no kill equation…and yes, you need to educate yourself as to the aspects of the no-kill equation rather than dismissing it out of hand. I can tell by your comments that you have little understanding of the program. For instance, the shelters that have been successful were formerly kill shelters. Some were notoriously called “bloodbaths”. But, under new, more compassionate leadership and with a lot of hard work, they have made huge strides towards a more than 90% save rate in a little amount of time.. The same could be done in NYC….the biggest obstacle to no-kill and saving lives are supposed “animal lovers” like you, who defend the kill shelters and the traditional “kill philosophy” and believe their lies because it’s easier than actually shifting focus and making positive change. Your ignorance shows in the fact that you parrot the cliches and excuses of the kill shelters practically word for word.
And Traci, my analogies may not be pretty…I know they are unpleasant…but they are accurate. You are tolerating the killing a millions of living, aware individuals on the basis of nothing except that they are a different species. Remember, the Nazis thought the Jews (and anyone who they deemed different from them) were a different, inferior species as well. How is it different? How is what is being done to these animals less horrible…less immoral, than what was done to the Nazi’s vicitms? Is it because the Nazi’s victims were human, and our modern day society’s victims are dogs and cats? Be it a cat or a human, the suffering is the same. And that’s what I’m concerned about. Stop throwing out blanket statements, and back up your comments with facts. And by the way, I’m Jewish and I stand by my analogy.. So leave the knee-jerk politically correct crap at the door, and rather than argue with me, listen to what I’m saying. Maybe then we can get to what’s important and make a positive change for the animals.
September 1st, 2007 at 7:22 am
“You are tolerating the killing a millions of living, aware individuals on the basis of nothing except that they are a different species.”
I am? How dare you accuse me of that? Please apologize. Your BS mud-flinging is gettting out of hand.
“Stop throwing out blanket statements”
Let’s start, you first. There is a Yiddish word I could call you at this point but I will refrain.
September 1st, 2007 at 7:25 am
No Traci, I agree with Bane. His/her analogies may be a bitter pill to swallow, but they are true. The Nazis killed and experimented on millions of people, and today’s society does the same to dogs and cats…the only difference is the species of the victims, but the suffering is the same. As I’m sure you would agree, every dogs and cat is a unique individual, with a personality, awareness, and emotions. Or do you believe that the suffering of dogs and cats is less significant because they are not human? If so, then it is your thinking that is obscene.
September 1st, 2007 at 7:28 am
I don’t agree with his crass labelling of all people who work in shelters that are not no-kill. And no, I don’t compare it with war crimes and genocide.
September 1st, 2007 at 7:36 am
Folks, rather than arguing with anyone who promotes no-kill because it upsets your comfort zone of the killing status quo, why not check out the no kill solutions webpage? Straybaby, I’m afraid you do need to educate yourself, as your comments indicate that you are not very well acquainted with the aspects of the no kill program. For one thing, it is applied to formerly kill shelters, and so far it has been a big success. It is a multipronged program, and takes effort and commitment to implement, but is entirely within any shelter’s reach if they give a damn enough to try. The main obstacle to no kill be adopted more often and in more shelters is defeatists and nay sayers who say it can’t be done. It can be done, and has been done in big cities, developing cities, rural areas, you name it. Have an open mind, and check out their web page. The animals will thank you for it. Come on guys…think positive!
September 1st, 2007 at 7:37 am
Todd, I volunteer at a no-kill, okay.
I just resent Bane’s attitude at the moment.
September 1st, 2007 at 7:41 am
I think we can promote no-kill without disparaging those who don’t work in no-kills but do their best in a bad situation to care for the animals and get as many adopted as possible. And I think we can do it without resorting to hyperbole relating the kill tragedy to the greatest evils humans have ever committed.
September 1st, 2007 at 7:46 am
Traci, why do you consider war crimes and genocide worse than what is being done to pets? Both are horrible, and a reflection of mankind’s darkest nature. At least people might have a fighting chance to defend themselves in some instances…animals are at our mercy completely. And yes, the owners of those two cats betrayed them beyond all measure…and the cats were victims of these people’s ignorance and stupidity. I can’t imagine people so casually dropping their cats off at shelters…but that’s why I feel we have to change how these animals are treated after they are surrendered. We can change that…we can’t change the pervasive stupidity that is out there in so many people like the folks in this story.
September 1st, 2007 at 7:50 am
I consider the kill tragedy to also be one of the greatest tragedies humans have ever implemented. And unlike the Holocaust, it is still going on!
September 1st, 2007 at 7:51 am
What’s this about “pound seizure”? That’s awful!
September 1st, 2007 at 7:55 am
“Traci, why do you consider war crimes and genocide worse than what is being done to pets? Both are horrible, and a reflection of mankind’s darkest nature.”
I consider war crimes and genocide worse than the usual killing and rapes humans do to one another humans on a daily basis.
Those are in a class of their own. The motive is EXTREME MASS group hate and terrorism by one group wanting to inflict as much pain as possible–just for the pleasure of seeing one’s supposed “enemy” suffer. That is not why animals are euthanized at shelters, however awful it is and however the animals suffer.
September 1st, 2007 at 7:56 am
Well, Bane is a little short on tact, but I agree with his underlying message about no kill.
September 1st, 2007 at 7:59 am
He’s right about animal experimentation…the stuff they do to dogs and cats (and often in medically unnecessary experiments) would make anyone sick to their stomach. And any shelter that practices pound seizure is rotten in my book.
September 1st, 2007 at 8:13 am
One thing is true, though…it wouldn’t be legal to kill animals in large numbers if they weren’t deemed “inferior beings” by society and the lawmakers that this society elects. In many ways, I consider animals, especially domesticated ones like cat and dogs…to be superior to our species. Unlike humans, animals don’t torture and kill for fun and sexual kicks…they don’t molest their young and rape. They are not destroying the earth and environment with their greed. Dogs and cats represent the best qualities of human nature without any of the dark qualities. There are good people in this world but a heck of a lot of bad ones too. There are no bad dogs and cats.