Many of you know I do very little news writing at this point, as I focus more on getting death row cats and dogs out of the shelter before their time runs out. Not a day goes by when I don’t receive several messages asking for help from individuals stating their shelter is having a CRISIS. Unfortunately, almost all animal shelters are in crisis mode and have been for a long time now.
Below are a few examples of the animal shelter crisis situation in North Carolina. I spend a lot of time advocating for their shelter pets because some of the worst shelters are in this state. Please feel free to add your local shelter and what is being done wrong that eventually ends in death. As a reporter, I must be careful what I say. The readers here can speak their mind.
Cabarrus County Animal Control, Concord, North Carolina
- Inconsistency in rules
- No in-house adoption program
- No spay/neuter promotion or educational program
- “Kill day” being moved up, meaning everyone must scramble to find rescues sooner than first announced. A vet is scheduled to come in weekly and kill most cats not marked for rescue, regardless of space.
Guilford and Davidson County North Carolina
Systemic failure to adequately care for animals. Animals seriously injured and should have been humanely euthanized were left to suffer for weeks. Animals that weren’t seriously ill or injured were euthanized rather than being treated or offered to rescues. The shelter allegedly failed in taking in and treating more than 100 animals.
United Animal Coalition, who had control of both shelters, was removed from management. This is a big case making the news, with charges of animal cruelty and neglect coming shortly for those responsible.
Columbus County Animal Control, Whiteville, North Carolina
- December 2013 $4,000 fine issued for failing to adhere to basic kill procedures
- 2015 fined $5,000 for failing to follow state-mandated minimum hold of stray animals
- 6 cats were given inadequate veterinary care
- In August 2015 a part-time employee was fired after failing to latch a dog kennel, resulting in the dog entering the cat quarantine holding area and killing 13 cats
Cumberland County Animal Control
Advocates for this shelter, located in Fayetteville, North Carolina have turned to me for help. Unfortunately, this shelter is so messed up in how animals are handled that it would take a complete overhaul to even half way fix the situation. Anyone who can, please help this shelter. They are far beyond anything I’ve encountered.
In conclusion
To the shelters I haven’t mentioned: the ones who kill because the kittens are too small, too young, too sick, too old or the shelter is too crowded, too rural or any other excuse. I hope advocates in the community will comment on this article and inform the public about what problems are where. There are more than could be dealt with in this article.
Please comment on Facebook as well as it helps spread the word – thanks.
Sources: Elisa and 1 & 2.
My website is quite relaxing. It’s like a soap opera for pets. Not only do I write the initial bio, my followers expect updates on what happened in the end. I still need to finish up the figures for the first 200 but I believe about 80% were rescued or adopted. Networking is key. I couldn’t do it without people sharing. Cabarrus County, NC and Cobb County, Georgia say the bios are really helping get exposure. I’m also helping rescues who do the most pulling from kill shelters.