Stop the Killing – Numbers

Between 1940 and 1945, the Nazis murdered 4 million people, less than 1 million deaths per year.
[Plaque at Auschwitz]


Since many shelters are not required to keep track of their numbers in regards to intake, adoption, returned to owner, and killed, any statistic concerning shelter animals is a best guess.


The number of companion animals entering US shelters each year is estimated to be between 6 and 8 million. The number of animals killed in shelters each year is estimated to be 64% - some shelters have lower rates, some have higher rates.


The 64% is an estimation based on a study done in 1997 with input from 1000 shelters (there are an estimated 4000 to 6000 shelters in the United States). It is very likely the nationwide kill rate is higher.

Using these estimated numbers, between 3.8 and 5.1 million cats and dogs are killed in shelters EACH year, EVERY year.






Assuming a mid-point of 4.5 million cats and dogs killed in shelters each year, this averages out to:

Each Month – 375,000 cats and dogs killed

Each Week – 86,538.5 cats and dogs killed

Each Day – 12,328.8 cats and dogs killed

Each Hour – 513.7 cats and dogs killed

Each Minute – 8.6 cats and dogs killed










Sadly enough, this does not include the cats and dogs that die in shelters from starvation, illness or abuse. It does not include those that mysteriously disappear from shelters never to be seen again.

Cats

Dogs

Gas Chambers

Injection or Heartstick










Video: This Can't Be Happening


Those killed include the unborn, days old, unweaned, less than 1 year of age, seniors, and adults.

Those killed include perfectly healthy and perfectly adoptable animals.

Those killed include those whose only crime is their breed (actual or assumed) or their color.

Those killed include those surrendered by their owners (usually no hold period), lost and unclaimed, seized in criminal or cruelty cases, and strays.

Those killed include those with an easily cured illness, such as a cold or kennel cough.

Those killed include those who fail their temperament test, even when the test is improperly administered and interpreted.

Those killed include those who fail their temperament test due to fear, anxiety, and/or stress.

Some shelters cremate. Many don’t.










Coming next: Stop the Killing – Part 2: The Causes

Manners Please!

There is no doubt about it, animal lovers are a passionate group of people.  Unfortunately, this leads some of them to let their emotions, rather than reason, rule.  Here are some thoughts (or tips if you prefer) about this.

·  When you rant in a comment posted to a news article or Facebook page, you detract from the issue at hand ... helping the animal in need.

·   When you rant in a comment posted to a news article or Facebook page, the person you are ranting at will not see it, so what’s the point?

·   Name calling and profanity does nothing to help the situation, and may in fact make it worse.  Again, the person you are cursing at and/or calling less-than-polite names won’t see it.

·   Threatening physical harm to a person, be it the alleged abuser or an elected official, absolutely does more harm than good.  It also has the potential to land you in jail.

·   Posting personal information, such as address or phone number, of an alleged abuser can land you in jail, especially if you include inflammatory comments with it.

·   Writing to elected officials, police departments, etc can help … IF it is done politely and with thought.

·   Sending rants and other impolite writings will not help in any way.  They will be deleted and ignored.  They also tend to destroy the credibility of animal advocates as a whole.

·   Do not spread rumors or unverified information.  It will create confusion as well as harming the effort to help the animal in need.

I understand the need to rant about many of the situations that animal lovers and advocates come across multiple times a day.  BUT keep your rant to yourself:

·   When you write that message, email or letter, be polite and courteous.  State your concern, argument and/or plea with reason and verified facts.

·   When you write that comment to a news article or Facebook page, make it one of love and/or support. 

·   Remember that sometimes it takes time to gather information and verify it.  Be patient while waiting for updates to be posted.

·   Remember that often numerous comments are being posted every minute, and a lot of scrolling takes place.  Have the patience and take the time to scroll through several pages of postings.  The question you want to ask and/or the information you are looking for may already be there.

Animal lovers and advocates can do a lot of good if their ‘efforts’ are done correctly and with reason. 

We are the voices for these animals, and when we speak for them, not only must we make ourselves heard; we must say it in a way where people will listen.

Please Help Sweet Bella

  I received this email from a transport coordinator I worked with a couple of months ago.  If you can donate, please do.  Please share Bella’s story.

Thank you.

****

This is Bella, a 4 yr old smooth St. Bernard who had been used for breeding her whole life.  Last Thursday her previous owner who had her, her whole life decided he didn't want her anymore.   She ended up in the hands of a teenager who when he got her home was informed "She can't stay here" by his mother.  Bella had to spend her first night away from the only home she has ever known, even though it was a terrible place, but she had to spend it outside on a back deck.

A fellow animal lover got wind of her situation and went to retrieve her, got her a bath and right off to the vet, here is her diagnosis.... Bella's left eye had ulceration on it possibly from a blunt trauma, luckily she could slightly see out of it but her pressures was not good, she has been on antibiotic drops in her eye and it is clearing up the whiteness is going away and the prognosis is a little more positive.  Her nails had to be trimmed back 1/2 inch on all of them(she had to be sedated for that.)  Her ears have multiple types of infections going on and she has a giant hematoma on her left ear,  She is on drops for her ear infections.  She needs an antifungal bath every 3-4 days and has taken 4 capstars in the past week because her skin is in such bad shape frontline wont work. 

So we found a wonderful foster Mom (Rose) who has fallen in love with her and informed the rescue that she would adopt her.  Of course when all was taken care of, Bella went in to get spayed today, we found out that she is also heartworm positive positive.  No surgery, no vaccs yet and another enormous vet bill.  Rose is a wonderful adopter but cannot afford HW treatment and the good samaritan who got her out of this situation has already spent $500 on her vet bills.  We are looking to raise money for her HW treatment and hopefully reimburse the good samaritan who so generously donated the money so far for her vetting.  Please help if you can.  Bella has come such a long way just in the last week to a better life, heartworm can't stop her now.

http://sscr.chipin.com/treatment-for-sweet-bella

Susan Turturice

OTRA Co-Owner/OTRA Co-Mod-MI/OTRA Verified Transport Coordinator

Co-Founder/Transport Coordinator-Something Special Castaways Rescue

www.petfinder.com/shelters/MO499.html

E-mail: miskeira@sbcglobal.net

Cell: 313-806-2033