Laxplays: @3monkeysjumping did u at least break for the black cat or did u point and aim your starbuck's carrying vehicle at the moggy?!
about 2 minutes ago
ryeingram: @The_Horns is there a hot dog and/or bumblebee involved? also, you should post a pic.
about 3 minutes ago
meg_01: @TheEllenShow very funny.Will you hire a parolee or adopt a bull dog? Can a parolee get a second chance like the bull dog?
about 3 minutes ago
axeslinginfrog: @mechlin Swear to God...open a door or window. When in doubt, there's always Animal Control
about 5 minutes ago
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How can we change the perception so we can begin to offer a different outcome for so many unfortunate animals? It starts with telling and accepting the truth. |
 | By Amy Christiansen  Special to OnMilwaukee.com E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Amy Christiansen |
| Published July 12, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. |
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This week the "Pet of the Week" has no name. She is a nameless, faceless unclaimed stray. She is one of 138 animals in the first six days of this month alone that have already been euthanized at animal control. I know what you are thinking but don't ignore or dismiss that figure. Don't stop reading. Don't suggest we not talk about it like so many people believe we should. It won't get any better that way. I know that the easy target of frustration for the unfortunate outcome of so many is animal control. But today I invite you to let me help you consider an alternative.
Besides staff, I would safely bet that I've spent more time at animal control than anyone else in our community over the course of the last three years. It is rare that more than a day passes between my visits and when I am there it is often for a few hours. I have personally witnessed some of the most compassionate and dedicated animal welfare professionals respond to animals in crisis and offer them comfort and refuge. Sadly, I have also seen and heard those same people be the recipient of vulgar and inappropriate behavior and vicious verbal attacks. Is it deserved? No.
Think about it for a moment. If not for animal control, what would we do with the thousands of free-roaming domestic animals found lost and abandoned in our community every year? How would we effectively and efficiently reunite innocently lost animals with their worried families? Where would we house animals needing protection during prosecution of their 'caretakers' in cases of abuse and neglect? Who else would serve our community by offering safe and reliable quarantine services for animals that have bitten? And when all other options have been exhausted, does anyone really want to begin their day euthanizing those animals that have no where else to go?
This is the role of animal control yet often they are persecuted for doing it.
How can we change the perception so we can begin to offer a different outcome for so many unfortunate animals? It starts with telling and accepting the truth.
Last week a local media outlet reported on a situation they referred to as a "custody battle" over a cat between animal control and the alleged owner. There were so many inaccuracies and incomplete statements that I actually lost count, and requests by many to correct the story were ignored.
A good Samaritan found the cat roaming and, while transporting it to animal control, was bitten. Law requires a 10-day quarantine period for all bite cases. Since the animal did not have a current rabies vaccination, the quarantine was required to be completed at animal control at a reasonable cost for boarding and observation. In some cases, quarantine can be completed at home but not usually in a situation where the animal does not have proof of a current rabies vaccination. The media outlet was very unforgiving and judgmental of animal control but are they the ones responsible for this situation and others like it?
Why didn't anyone ask how or why the animal was roaming and for how long? Why wasn't the animal current on required vaccinations or properly licensed according to law? Why shouldn't the owner be held accountable? It was actually suggested that animal control reduce or waive the fees or offer a payment plan - in fact, this is often requested by owners of animals held at animal control. But did you know that animal control is already operating from a budget nearly half of what it should be to serve a community of our size and scope? The community reaction toward animal control was completely unwarranted but I have to wonder if the people who ridiculed animal control for not immediately returning the cat had all the information they needed to make an informed opinion. What an amazing opportunity the media had to report on the real tragedy; the epidemic of irresponsible pet ownership in our community as well as the myths and truths of rabies quarantine.
When are we going to start to hold ourselves accountable and thank animal control for the service they provide? When are we going to say to ourselves and our neighbors and our family and our friends that enough is enough? The time for spay/neuter is now. The time for indoor housing of companion animals is now. The time for responsible pet ownership is now. The time to support those individuals and agencies dedicated to offering an alternative to euthanasia is now!
100 percent of the resources of the Companion Animal Resource and Adoption Center are dedicated toward saving unclaimed strays from animal control and providing a series of outreach options for the community to create a safe environment for all. Please visit us in the upper level of Southridge Mall during open hours to see how YOU can help make a difference by volunteering, adopting, donating, or educating! Visit us 24 hours a day at www.companionanimal.org.
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7 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by critter_lover on Oct. 19, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. (report)
This little message is for not only for the little animals that have already died, its also (mostly) for the ones who have yet to be sentenced to death. I have been to the Humane Society's and the price that is asked for these animals is outrageous to say the least!! This is probably a BIG reason why so many animals are destroyed on a daily basis. There are MANY people such as my self who would adopt these "fury kids" even the older ones, if they didn't cost so much!!! There are GOOD homes out there for these pets, and so they aren't millionaires or Beverly Hills mansions, there is more than enough love, and people willing to sacrifice a little, to care for these little critters. I understand that it costs alot to keep them there to care for them untill they are adopted, but alot of that cost could be reduced if it didn't cost an entire months income just to view them. They have an annual food drive to feed the hungry and homeless people, why not a charity drive to feed and care for the hungry and homeless animals. There are more people with big, caring hearts out here than you may think, who would love to donate and help in any way they can. What about an "adopt a pet for a month" drive where people offer to bring in donations of money and/or food for an animal or two, to offset some the Humane Society's costs? I for one would do it in a heartbeat. While we are not allowed to have pets in our apt. complex, doesn't mean I can't "adopt" an animal while he/she is there waiting on a permanent home.
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Posted by Brewergal on Aug. 2, 2008 at 9:14 p.m. (report)
MADACC definitely serves a purpose in the community but seriously needs to get organized. I brought in a cat that walked up to me in my suburban neighborhood because the police assured me that they would be the best source to find her rightful owners. I called MADACC 5 times and expressed that I wanted kitty if no owner picked her up after their 7 day hold. They said ok every single time, took my number, and on the 7th day I called for her they had "humanely euthanized" her. Someone forgot to document my expressed interest. It's necessary we understand that there is a need for animal control in this community due to irresponsible owners, court cases, etc. This IS the day for licensure, spay/neuter, shots, microchip and just plain common sense when it comes to animal ownership. This is also a day where documentation and organization is vital for any establishment. Boy what a harsh reality check that was. It's real, and it's sad these numbers are definitely accurate.
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Posted by smallscale on July 17, 2008 at 1:11 a.m. (report)
First off I want to applaud Amy for this article. While I am not an employee of MADACC, I happened to be at the facility the day this story broke. All animals are offered to area shelters and rescues at the time they come up. MADACC has been AMAZING in the past with the rescues I work with. If there is space and we need a few days to arrange moving animals, they are more than willing to give us assistance. MADACC employees work very hard and have always worked hard to reduce the euthanasia rates at the shelter. The inception of CARAC greatly reduced the number of animals. Not every adoptable animal makes it out of there, but the staff doesn't stop. Its not an easy job that they have and they work hard to help as many animals as possible. While it is very hard and trying to run or work in the rescue and sheltering community there are many things that you can do to help. Blankets and towels are always in need by every group. If there is a breed (or species of animal as I run a reptile rescue) that captures your heart, check out that breeds website and see what they need. Many groups will drive from far away to help their breed. Gas is expensive as we all know, but that doesn't stop rescue groups from as far away as Eau Claire from coming to MADACC to help their breed. Rescues can always use donations and if you cant volunteer, you can always help.
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Posted by vmlm on July 14, 2008 at 8:08 p.m. (report)
Thank you starhorn18 for the clarification. It is very very unfortunate that people are idiots and don't do right by their pets.
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Posted by starhon18 on July 12, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (report)
To vmlm: I am not a MADACC representative but I do know that adoptable animals are sent to the Wisconsin Humane Society, Companion Animal Resource & Adoption Center, Elmbrook Humane Society, etc. Unfortunately, there just isn't enough room for them all. The Wisconsin Humane Society IS a no-kill shelter and animals stay there until they are adopted - but they are a distinct organization separate from MADACC. The sad fact is that adoptable animals are euthanized every day because they simply have no place to go - not because they are unadoptable, but because area shelters, Humane Societies, and rescue groups just don't have the capacity to take ALL of the animals that come in. The number of healthy, "well-mannered" animals that come into MADACC each day is astounding.
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Show me the other 2 Talkbacks
Recent blogs/briefs by Amy Christiansen
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Humane Milwaukee Pet of the Week: Nala Nov. 04, 2008 We can't quite decide who is more in love with Nala: the humans who serve her or Nala ... |
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Humane Milwaukee pet of the week: Aaden Oct. 19, 2008 I'm often asked how or why I first got involved in animal welfare. While that is an interesting ... |
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Companion Animal Resource Center pet of the week: Netta Sept. 20, 2008 Netta is a 2-year-old, distinctly marked black and white cat. She is spayed and current ... |
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Companion Animal Resource Center pet of the week: Natalie Sept. 02, 2008 Every once in a while, a dog enters our program that all of the volunteers fall for and ... |
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Companion Animal Resource Center pet of the week: Carson Aug. 26, 2008 "I was destined to be a statistic but now I am Carson!" |
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