The ASPCA just can’t get it right lately. Whether they’re promoting animal-killing legislation, as they successfully did in September, or labeling No Kill advocates “extremists” (and later, “terrorists”) as they did last week and advising directors of high kill shelters how to fight off the No Kill barbarians at their gates who’d like them to kill fewer animals – well, they just don’t seem to realize that in the internet age not everyone is going to buy into their treacly late night commercials without some fact checking.
But what they did yesterday was incredible, even for them.
On their blog and their Facebook page yesterday, the ASPCA is bragging about their role “saving” 41 animals from a South Carolina shelter by providing transport from them.
They are transporting them to kill shelters.
They list three destinations for the dogs:
Capital Area Humane Society, Hilliard, OH
Bay Area Humane Society, Green Bay, WI
Animal Humane Society, Golden Valley, MN
I wasn’t able to find statistics for the Capital Area Humane Society, but it certainly doesn’t sound like a very nice place. The Bay Area Humane Society publishes their statistics and in 2010 they took in 4292 animals and killed 1389. The Animal Humane Society in MN hasn’t published their 2010 statistics yet (gosh, I can’t imagine why… don’t be bashful!) but they did publish statistics in 2009 when they took in 33,144 animals and killed 10,855.
So the ASPCA seeks the glory and the PR for saving these animals from a South Carolina shelter – by sending them to failing kill shelters that are killing a third of intake or more. If these destinations can’t put the programs in place to adopt out the intake they already have, why are they taking in dogs from outside their communities? Will they simply kill the intake once the ASPCA drives away – or will they kill dogs they already have to make space for the new arrivals?
There are certainly No Kill shelters out there that DO have programs in place to adopt out their animals, that DO NOT kill animals for space or any other reason, and that may have had the capacity to assist the ASPCA and ensure that no animals would be killed while they sought their glory. They COULD have even taken the dogs to their own facility in New York City, where they operate a small private shelter so that they can say that they do.
The ASPCA has crossed the line into utter worthlessness. They send animals to be killed. They kill animals themselves. And they support high kill shelter directors and help them resist No Kill in their communities, as they did in Austin when they supported the shelter director who said that widespread killing was the only way. When that director was fired, No Kill activists, programs, and a committed director took that shelter to a 90%+ save rate. No Kill activists have at this point created approximately 30 No Kill open admission community shelters in North America – and typically on shoestring budgets. The ASPCA has not created a single one.
Don’t support this. Spread the word. Stop the donations. And support your local No Kill shelter or worthy group that is trying to take your community No Kill.
John, thanks for posting that. AHS has not published their stats since 2009. That year, AHS reported taking in 33,164 animals. They reported “placing” (which included adoptions, returned to owners, and transferred to rescue) 18,077. That equals a placement rate of only about 54%.
But, even that number you cannot put a lot of weight in. Why you may ask? Just look at the numbers they report. They don’t add up.
For example: They list 10,855 as “euthanized”. 18,077 + 10,855 is only 28,932 animals. There are about 4,232 animals MISSING from the outcomes report…
The, apparently using some kind of “new math” they compute a “63% save rate.
I am really not making any of that up. They must be assuming that their donors are not going to assess the numbers they publish at all:
http://www.animalhumanesociety.org/aboutus/annual-report
Thank you so much for that information, Mike!
It’s possible that they’re using Asilomar reporting which factors out certain pets such as owner requested euthanasia. Likewise, if they’re reporting only adoptable and euthanized, it’s likely the numbers won’t add up to the total you seek because organizations have other avenues, such as transport, to move animals in and out. Depending on how they’re reporting, they may not show up, however it does not mean their numbers are ‘wrong’. They simply may appear misleading because they’ve not reported full information.
If a shelter is using reporting in a way that seems designed to obfuscate, that’s one more reason for me not to trust them. Same thing with not releasing current statistics.
Very interesting, I am a vet tech at the AHS in MN I have not worked there for long but have been concerned with some practices of “following procedure” rather than reaching out to find alternative placement for pets that are deemed unplaceable at AHS. It is true that Asilomar is used and several owner req euth’s are done so not sure how this is factoring into statistics. They do have very quick adoption turnaround on animals that are put on the floor for adoption and they will be held until they are adopted however there is not much wiggle room for pets with behavioral issues to be put on the adoption floor, as they do not do much adoption counseling or screening. I definitely do not agree with all the practices taking place there but also think that they do help many many pets, just wish some policies could be changed.
Thank you for this information… poor things. I will make sure to donate to a no-kill shelter. Shame on the ASPCA, I thought they were doing right by these guys.
This is utter madness! Between the $500K salary for their CEO, using photos of distressed animals to pull at people’s purse strings, condemning the no kill movement as terrorism, and transporting animals to their deaths, how can ASPCA be anything other than a sham organization? I wish I could get the word out to millions of people, not just my Facebook contacts.
http://www.cahs-pets.org/uploaded%20.pdf%20files/CAHS%20AnnualReport08.pdf
Capital Area HS – last published report on their site covers FY 2007 – 2008. They state their live release rate for cats is 25% and dogs is 82% BUT the dog number does not count Pitbulls or mixes, since they apparently kill every one of those, being in Ohio and all.
I have reached out to the shelter here in SC for comment. Will let you know if I hear anything.
Thank you so much for the additional information!
Why don’t they just stop taking in new animals until the ones they have are placed. They could become no kill in one day that way. Are there any no kill shelters who take in that many animals per year?
There are open admission No Kill shelters who take in even more than that, yes.
An open admission shelter cannot stop taking in animals – they typically have a contract with a municipality to provide animals in that community with shelter. Rather than close their doors, they could embrace the No Kill equation – as open admission shelters have done all across North America to save 90% or more of the animals in their communities.
There are large no kill shelters that are open admission who adopt out 90% or more of all the animals (say 20k plus annually) they take in? Can you name a few? I’d like to take a look at their programs and such. There are more “no kill” than “kill” shelters where I live but no kills have very long waiting lists. Meanwhile there are so many people begging for new homes for their animals. It’s very sad. One shelter near me had a program where they were paying non profits $250 to take their pitbulls. At the same time there are ads all over for pit puppies for sale.
You can find a list of open admission No Kills in North America at:
http://www.nokillnews.com/
I believe they all use the No Kill Equation as defined in the book “Redemption” by Nathan Winograd.
Do keep in mind when shelters report their numbers there is a third category to list under. It consists of “lost”, escaped, and died in cage animals.
Kathy
Kathy, if AHS has had 13% of their animals lost, die or escape, there are some really serious questions that need to be answered! Total for all of those outcomes combined should be less than 1%.
Great point, Kathy.
P.S. on Capital Area HS – Their site states:
“Beginning September 1, 2009 we will be a managed admission shelter.”
Not sure how well that’s been going, since the last annual report is from 2008.
Kathy, if AHS has had 13% of their animals lost, die or escape, there are some really serious questions that need to be answered! Total for all of those outcomes combined should be less than 1%.
I work in Pit Bull rescue, and this happens A LOT. Shelters will transport dogs to other shelters, who supposedly “have room.” Problem #1 (aside from the fact that they are kill shelters, as this article points out): they often have automatic pit bull kill policies. For example, the shelter in New Orleans routinely sends dogs to Houston, which automatically euthanizes all pit bulls, presumably on arrival. It’s a disgrace.
My Mom is a HUGE supporter of the ASPCA….I’m sure she won’t be after I forward this information on to her. Thank you so much for posting this. It sickens me that this orginzation that is supposed to be helping our furry babies out there actually sends them to their death. It is an outrage and I’m pissed!!!!
Thanks again for posting this information. I can only pray that this goes beyond viral and is spread all over the world. The ASPCA needs to be shut down!!!!
Misconception: Animal Humane Society euthanizes healthy animals, yet still brings in animals from out-of-state
Truth: Animal Humane Society has not euthanized a healthy dog since 2007, when it came under its current leadership, which is the only species of animal it regularly transports in from other states.
Since that time it has worked diligently to solve the cat crisis it faces every year. Of the historically 33,000 animals it took in each year, 20,000 of them were cats.
Now, because of its incredible effort to reduce euthanasia in its shelters, from January 1 to September 30, 2011, it has only euthanized three healthy cats. These euthanasias were not easy and came as a result because despite Animal Humane Society’s best effort to find placement, there were no placement options available in the community, with its foster volunteers or animal rescue partners.
If dogs are the only species of animal it regularly takes in from other states, why doesn’t AHS focus on Minnesota dogs first before taking them in?
Dogs in Minnesota are Animal Humane Society’s first priority. In 2010, it took in 11,142 canines, 7,653 of which were brought to its shelters by their owners, as stray animals, or through the work of AHS humane agents. Fortunately, due to its visibility, its incredible adoption rates and the demand for adoptable dogs in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, Animal Humane Society is in a position where it can assist other animal welfare organizations with the dogs in their care.
Animal Humane Society turns to and responds to calls for assistance from Minnesota organizations first. In fact, in 2010, Animal Humane Society brought in more than 600 dogs from 35 Minnesota animal welfare groups.
In addition, it responded to calls for assistance from other states as close as Iowa and all the way to Georgia. On average, it takes in 4,000 dogs from other states.
If you’re a local rescue group or sheltering agency that would like to partner with Animal Humane Society to put Minnesota animals first, please send a note via the form on the left and you’ll be contacted to discuss starting a relationship that will help to save more Minnesota animals.
What about animals coming in from other states that don’t meet your requirements for adoption?
As Animal Humane Society establishes relationships with out-of-state transport groups, it shares with each what criteria the dogs have to meet to be placed in its shelters. Because of this proactive discussion, the majority of animals that come into its care from other states are adopted into new homes.
When they arrive, each animal is given the same medical and behavioral evaluation provided all animals that come into Animal Humane Society’s care; however, transport animals are provided at least 24 hours to get settled and comfortable before any behavioral evaluations. In addition, there are opportunities for re-evaluations and, if needed, behavior modification program enrollment.
Unfortunately, there are still some dogs Animal Humane Society is not able to place for adoption — but that does not mean they will be euthanized nor does it mean that Animal Humane Society expects other Minnesota animal welfare organizations to take in the animals. Many transport groups take back animals not placeable at Animal Humane Society for placement with other animal welfare organizations on the transport groups’ route around the country.
Georgia Puppy Pipeline, a transport group that regularly brings animals to Animal Humane Society, noted that through October 17, 2011, it has brought 592 dogs to Animal Humane Society and that less than 20 dogs were returned to the group, each of which were adopted by smaller rescue groups in Georgia.
Source:
http://www.sniffoutthetruth.org/misconception/misconception-animal-humane-society-euthanizes-healthy-animals-yet-still-brings-animal
Nokomis (or should I say Devon): Just because the web site (created by AHS, ironically) is called “sniff out the truth” does not mean that what is published there is the truth. According to the numbers in the 2009 AHS annual report, they took in 9,741 dogs that year. They “placed” (including returned to owner, adoptions and transferred to rescue) 6,020. That leaves 3,721 that left dead…
That is a live-release rate of 61% for dogs.
Overall live release rates of 90% are generally considered the threshold for no kill. However, if you examine the statistics underneath those communities achieving 90% or better live release-rates, the stats are MUCH better for dogs than cats. Whole communities are seeing save rates for dogs of 95% to 98%.
No matter how you cut it, AHS is still needlessly killing more than 30% of the dogs they receive, while importing more from out of state… that seems like it could be the actual definition of “insanity”.
Don’t know who you are, don’t care. The 2009 report is outdated. Funny that you would consider their 2009 numbers ‘truth’ but think their current numbers on the web site are lies….
They have not published their numbers since 2009…
There are no current numbers on the web site – I want hard data, not generalized categories. I want a standardized report in Asilomar format like every other shelter. Kindly provide a link.
http://www.animalarkshelter.org/animal/ArkArticles.nsf/AllArticles/65791CA159ADC7408625794A00687A83?OpenDocument
They could make it a whole lot easier by simply publishing their stats, which they haven’t done since 2009. Until I see numbers, all else is hearsay and spin.
Odd also that they’re not trumpeting their No Kill status publicly – but again, that would require some numbers.
I cringe when the ASPCA psa comes on tv. The Ohio SPCA operates a no-kill farm sanctuary. We barely stay afloat. People confuse us with the ASPCA. They accuse us of not doing what we say we will do with all the millions. We are all-volunteer. We caught the ASPCA canvassing for money on the streets in Columbus. People need to support local shelters in need. I am sick of the giants.
Easy solution: change the name. Done.
Not as easy as you think, as it is a legal process and costs money … that might be better spent on the animals!
If someone could donate the legalservices for a name change, plus replace any and all materials already branded, it might be do-able.
You’re losing donation money because people have already given to the ASPCA and they think that funds you. The one-time expense of changing your name is probably a pittance when you calculate the donation money you will lose to the ASPCA over the next few years. And THAT’s donation money that would go to animals and not a CEO’s half-million dollar salary.
We already changed our name in 2004 from the Ohio Humane Education Assoc. when we became the dog pound watchdog. Every small SPCA is fighting this battle.
- Wow…great work rcieusng so many dogs in need. It is just heartbreaking that this is happening and it’s so important that we spread the word against puppy mills.
Important: I’m not saying they’re saints, just making additional information known.
As far as Capital Area Humane Society, here’s what I know:
1) the dogs they have are typically owner surrender or humane cases (neglect, abuse, fighting), as stray dogs go to Franklin County Animal control.
2) dogs owner-surrendered with a bite history generally are euthanized due to liability issues.
3) they do have some “pit bulls” in a special adoptions program; Ohio law requires a 100,000 insurance policy to have these dogs
4) they use euthanasia by injection, so no gas chambers, no heartstick
5) the web site you referenced was last updated in 2009 (does not mean things are greatly better, does mean they may not be quite as portrayed)
6) There have been some senior staff changes in the last 2 years, so some policies are changing. I’ve not been there in a while to hear what they are.
7) Some dogs have been transported to other rescues – usually breed specific groups.
And yet they don’t provide their statistics… Hmmmm.
There isn’t any reason to euth for bite history, nor is there much reason to treat an owner turn-in as gospel. Trust me. Those are the dogs I work with daily. The “liability” thing is a crock. Insurance, full disclosure, good contract.
I welcome any links to current statistics. I will assume that shelters that will not provide them have something they don’t want me to see.
I have to wonder how many people who are commenting actually are doing any volunteering at a shelter. I volunteer as the dog adoption/rescue coordinator for a small rural shelter in Kentucky. yes they are a kill shelter. They only euth when they have to and yes it is often because of room. these people work very hard trying to care for the animals as do I. I get so tired of people whining about shelters when the are sitting at home on their computers complaining when they seedling nothing but sending in a few bucks to make themselves feel they are doing something for the”cause”. The answer I’d to spay and neuter. Yes it stinks that dogs are euthanized but where do you expect the thousands of animals to be? Come to our shelter sometime and give us all the simple answers that you have. Until people take responsibility for their animals and spay or neuter them there will always be kill shelters. it would be great if they didn’t exist but be real. go to the shelters and offer to post the dogs on pet finder or the like, contact rescues and offer to transport them. our shelter has two full time emplyees and a couple of part time folks. Most making a little above minimum wage and they try very hard to care for these animals. I get so tiers of reading these blogs about things when most of the folks have never volunteered a day in their life.OUr shelter euth’s by injection. I have helped do this with more than one sick animal because no one else was available and the dog just went to sleep while I held it is my arms. how many of you have had to do that or have any idea about it? Yes there are bad shelters out there but there are a lot more of them that are dedicating their lives trying to save the animals the no one cares about.What would you suggest we do when we have 25 kennels and seventy dogs coming in in a matter of days? What would you suggest we do??? magically create all these no kill shelters with no funding. quit complaining and whining and go out and volunteer.
I have 5 dogs in an NYC studio apartment. One is a former fighting pit that I taught to live socially with other dogs. One is a mutt from the streets of Brooklyn. One is a puppy mill mom. One is a 15 year old pit bull with lymphoma that I adopted in June for hospice care. And one is a 12 year old pit bull who lived in a concrete hole for his entire life since the age of 10 weeks until I pulled him 2 weeks ago. He has major orthopedic issues.
I foster, adopt, donate, train. I work extensively with behaviorally challenged dogs in sanctuary situations – some of my dog friends have done some very bad things, and I help them to trust humans again. Sometimes I get bit. Mostly I try not to. I have worked for no kill shelters as a dog caregiver and as a manager as well as a volunteer. I regularly come home splattered in bodily fluids – I’m usually there three days a week as a volunteer, and nothing makes me happier. I have assisted in the euthanasia of dogs and cats and authorized their euthanasia, but I have never killed one.
Rather than accepting that “there is no other way” – which is a crock – you should read “Redemption” and then start changing your shelter for the better. If you look at the list of open-admission No Kills at http://www.nokillnews.com/ you will find No Kills in poor communities, in the south, anywhere you can imagine. It can be done.
But first you have to try. It’s not magic. It’s work. And there are plenty of examples that show that it’s possible.
I’m still not sure how the ASPCA shuttling animals from kill shelter to kill shelter as a PR exercise benefits anyone but the ASPCA and their bank account. Am I qualified enough to comment?
Thank you so much for what you said. I was sitting here thinking the same thing. I have worked at shelters and now I volunteer at one. I to am fed up with everyone blaming shelters for having to euthanize animals. Every shelter works very hard to get animals adopted. The shelter staff are wonderful caring people. And yes I have had to hold animals when they are euthanized. As far as the numbers, you have to take into consideration the animals that are still there waiting in adoption. Then the numbers of animals that are transfered to rescues. Don’t forget the numbers of animals that are in foster care. Presently I have 9 at my house. There are many more foster homes them me.
I go to my local shelter every day to work with dogs on basic obedience. Every day 6 days a week and I don’t get paid to do it. I go and sit in dog runs that are filled with cats that are just waiting for room to open up in cat adoption, I play with them, I pet them and love on them. What do any of you do for these animals besides sitting at a computer complaining about shelters?
You all sit here on your computers talking about how things should be done, but until any of you walk a mile in the shoes of the people who are just cleaning up the mess of irresponsible pet owners, you are all just creating noise. Just like Shari said, why don’t you go to your local shelter and try helping.
jbsibley what is the difference between assisted or authorizing and killing?
If you think “every shelter works very hard to get animals adopted”, I invite you to spend some time in the shelters of New York City, where employees are fired for trying to get animals adopted. Or Google Memphis Animal Shelter. Or spend some time in Dallas, where a cat starved to death trapped in the walls, crying and scratching for help while the staff ignored them. Or the MANY cities where dogs routinely die in the back of Animal Control trucks of heatstroke. Or head for Houston, where pit bulls are killed as a matter of course. And then there’s Ohio…
I have assisted with and authorized euthanasias, ending the life of an animal who is suffering with no realistic hope of cure or recovery. This is different than killing.
I think you will find that most of the people commenting here have significant constructive activities in animal welfare outside of their keyboards. And even if you can’t volunteer, foster, or adopt, you can help by not donating to the ASPCA and giving a donation to a local group that is committed to stopping the wonton killing of animals in the shelters of America.
I’m tired of being told that it’s impossible when there are people doing it. Go do your research. I guarantee on that list of No Kill communities there’s one that looks a whole lot like yours in terms of demographics, income, population. It can be done anywhere. Anything less is an excuse.
Oh, hey, the saints in Memphis seem to have been busted for supplying dogs to dogfighters…
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/health/pets/hpnews_details.cfm?nwsid=3151
Remember: the pit bulls they supply the fighting rings with are the lucky ones. The unlucky ones are just for practice.
Another saint in KY:
http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/Shelter-employee-charged-with-euthanizing-animals-without-sedation-134082123.html
I support the goal of NKN, but I think it’s important to get the facts straight. Many NK shelters ARE NOT open-admission. For example, Austin, which is often cited as an example of successful NK, is compared here to open-admission shelters. And Austin is NOT open-admission.
This is an apples-to-oranges comparison. It is misleading to compare the numbers of an open-admission shelter with a limited admission shelter.
And it does not help the movement to misrepresent the facts. We MUST acknowledge that it is impossible to become NK solely by looking at the shelters as the origin and crux of the euthanasia problem.
We can only achieve the NK goal by educating pet owners, changing the perception of what it mean to be a pet owner (i.e. lifetime responsibility), increasing awareness of, and access to, spay and neuter programs, and a host of other bit and pieces that ALL contribute to the euthanasia rates.
As long as we continue to make open-admission shelters the scapegoat, we will NEVER become a No-Kill Nation.
Please check your facts before you post here. I will remove posts containing outright misinformation. Austin is a No Kill open admission shelter.
http://cityofaustin.org/health/pets/
Their statistics are available on their website. They achieved No Kill in Feb 2011. Here’s their announcement:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/health/pets/hpnews_details.cfm?nwsid=3151
Please get your facts straight. All of the things you mention are important. So is the shelter.
P.S. – To clarify: I’m not saying there are NOT problems with municipal shelters, or their employees. There most certainly are. I know, first hand, that many municipal shelters have employees for whom their job is just a time-card punch routine, and they couldn’t care less about the animal lives in their care.
These shelters certainly exist, and these shelter employees certainly exist. No one can deny that.
What I am saying though, is that the problem of unwanted and homeless pets CANNOT be solved just by making shelters into The Bad Guy. Because there ARE high-kill shelters whose employees and volunteers work tirelessly at saving lives. Their efforts should be recognized and encouraged, not cast aside as “not trying hard enough”.
High kill shelters are failures. Do you accept a police department that never catches a criminal as folks who work tirelessly and just can’t catch a break? Or do you demand a functional police department?
We have been conditioned to accept failing shelters as inevitable because so many are utter failures. Terrible at what they do. Doesn’t have to be that way and no longer acceptable, similar to a crappy police department.
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The main reason the ASPCA send animals to kill shelters is no others will take them! At least there, they have a chance. And hopefully will die humanely rather than on the street of hunger or disease or the cruelty that some disgusting people inflect on these animals.
Because of this ignorant, BS post, some people will now stop contributing to ASPCA and these poor animals will be left to die to horribly. The ASPCA has been the driving force for the outlawing or at least regulation in Pennsylvania puppy mills.
Unless you are opening your own shelter for HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of animals, you are doing so much harm to rescued animals by denigrating the ASPCA, you should be ashamed of yourself.
The ASPCA operates a very low kill shelter in New York City – the ONLY shelter it operates. They certainly could have gone there. But then they’d have to spend some money caring for them. This way they get to make the expense of actually caring for the animals some smaller organization’s burden. This PR stunt is maximum publicity for minimum cost.
You seem to be under the impression that the A does a lot of hands on care, which they don’t. If you donate locally instead of to them, you stand a much better chance of actually helping with hands-on care for animals. Most of the money the A raises is spent raising more money. You think those commercials come cheap?
The ASPCA has failed to support laws in New York State that would save tens of thousands of animals per year. They recently helped to write a godawful law that will prevent 2 more badly needed shelters from being built here in New York City (which were previously legally required until they got that law changed) while increasing intake. With all their millions they could take New York City No Kill tomorrow, but they don’t. Look into the history of Austin. They fought to keep it a high kill shelter, once their hand-picked director was ousted the city quickly went No Kill.
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