I'm taking a break from Calling All Rescuers to address another issue prompted yet again by recent events.
My comments are specifically directed toward the care of cats in shelters, but apply generally to all the animals.
My clinic has worked with several local animal shelters and in the past, we have made suggestions and brought to attention instances we felt could be improved upon. We have been met with a multitude of excuses, reasons it could not be done, or outright apathy.
These comments may have been construed as personal attacks by some, but were always offered out of genuine and sincere concern for the welfare and humane treatment of the animals the shelters are charged with caring for.
There are numerous books on the subject of Shelter Medicine written for shelter staff, any of which can provide direction for training, policies and procedures. There are the "Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters", available for free download from the Association of Shelter Veterinarians website. (Which in my opinion should be required reading for all shelter managers and employees, and over the years I have personally provided copies to shelters) Were they ever read? I don't know.
We have been willing to assist in such training with the caveat that it be taken seriously, that official protocols be implemented, adhered to and strictly enforced.
There seems to be a shelter wide deficiency in personnel trained in the basic and medical care of animals and a lack of policies to ensure their safety.
A multilevel training program would be easy to do, but would require the desire and commitment of those involved, to accept change, and embrace established procedures for record keeping, intake exams, regular monitoring of animals, to be able to cross-train, so individuals can perform various duties when needed, to have immediate transport available for medical cases rather than waiting until it's more convenient.
There needs to be a concerted effort to continue with adoption efforts, reuniting owners with lost pets, provide basic care and seek veterinary care when needed, to educate the public on responsible pet care, as well as investigate and enforce penalties for animal cruelty.
We all realize no shelter is 100% no-kill, and there are times when euthanasia is the most humane option. But even that should be determined by someone qualified to make the decision and should be carried out in a humane and timely manner. Animals should not be left to linger in limbo, especially when they are suffering.
Often the sooner a problem is addressed, the easier it is to treat. Preventative care far outweighs the costs of catastrophic care, not only from the financial point of view, but also for the suffering of a sick or injured animal.
There also needs to be a system in place to check and double check on the whereabouts and status of EVERY animal brought to the shelter, daily, hands-on monitoring and proper written records. That way, no animal falls through the cracks, gets forgotten and not attended to.
Every shelter today needs to be aware of and commit to the "Five Freedoms for Animal Welfare" which are:
1) FREEDOM FROM HUNGER AND THIRST
by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor.
2) FREEDOM FROM DISCOMFORT
by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
3) FREEDOM FROM PAIN, INJURY OR DISEASE
by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
4) FREEDOM TO EXPRESS NORMAL BEHAVIOR
by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind.
5) FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND DISTRESS
by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
Sound familiar?
My comments are specifically directed toward the care of cats in shelters, but apply generally to all the animals.
My clinic has worked with several local animal shelters and in the past, we have made suggestions and brought to attention instances we felt could be improved upon. We have been met with a multitude of excuses, reasons it could not be done, or outright apathy.
These comments may have been construed as personal attacks by some, but were always offered out of genuine and sincere concern for the welfare and humane treatment of the animals the shelters are charged with caring for.
There are numerous books on the subject of Shelter Medicine written for shelter staff, any of which can provide direction for training, policies and procedures. There are the "Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters", available for free download from the Association of Shelter Veterinarians website. (Which in my opinion should be required reading for all shelter managers and employees, and over the years I have personally provided copies to shelters) Were they ever read? I don't know.
We have been willing to assist in such training with the caveat that it be taken seriously, that official protocols be implemented, adhered to and strictly enforced.
There seems to be a shelter wide deficiency in personnel trained in the basic and medical care of animals and a lack of policies to ensure their safety.
A multilevel training program would be easy to do, but would require the desire and commitment of those involved, to accept change, and embrace established procedures for record keeping, intake exams, regular monitoring of animals, to be able to cross-train, so individuals can perform various duties when needed, to have immediate transport available for medical cases rather than waiting until it's more convenient.
There needs to be a concerted effort to continue with adoption efforts, reuniting owners with lost pets, provide basic care and seek veterinary care when needed, to educate the public on responsible pet care, as well as investigate and enforce penalties for animal cruelty.
We all realize no shelter is 100% no-kill, and there are times when euthanasia is the most humane option. But even that should be determined by someone qualified to make the decision and should be carried out in a humane and timely manner. Animals should not be left to linger in limbo, especially when they are suffering.
Often the sooner a problem is addressed, the easier it is to treat. Preventative care far outweighs the costs of catastrophic care, not only from the financial point of view, but also for the suffering of a sick or injured animal.
There also needs to be a system in place to check and double check on the whereabouts and status of EVERY animal brought to the shelter, daily, hands-on monitoring and proper written records. That way, no animal falls through the cracks, gets forgotten and not attended to.
Every shelter today needs to be aware of and commit to the "Five Freedoms for Animal Welfare" which are:
1) FREEDOM FROM HUNGER AND THIRST
by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor.
2) FREEDOM FROM DISCOMFORT
by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
3) FREEDOM FROM PAIN, INJURY OR DISEASE
by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
4) FREEDOM TO EXPRESS NORMAL BEHAVIOR
by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind.
5) FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND DISTRESS
by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
Sound familiar?
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