Wednesday, June 3, 2009

OSPCA investigates THS

I don't know how many people know what is going on with this but I thought I'd blog about it real quick today. It's politics and I wasn't going to publish anything about it, but when I realized that the Toronto Humane Society has been suspended as an affiliate ... well, I just had to post! There have been many rumours about THS in recent years and I'm glad that the OSPCA is going to investigate the situation. It's important to spread the word about things like this.


Check out the following Media Releases. It is a disgusting situation and if allegations are true ... well, it's despicable. (Are you quietly saying this word to yourself in the Daffy Duck slur?) In my experience, many rescues are filled with asshats ... but that's just what I've seen.


When I first read about this a few days ago the words that came out of my mouth weren't pretty. Something along the lines of ... "Are you fycking shyting me?" I heard about it when I dropped in to visit my vet on the weekend with the pack. They wanted to know if I had heard anything through the grapevines ...


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Globe and Mail Articles
Killing Them With Kindness
May 30, 2009 - Part 1 of 3


Leader with a Passion for Animals, Loyal Supporters ... and an Iron Grip
June 1, 2009 - Part 2 of 3


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Ontario SPCA to launch investigation into alleged conduct at Toronto Humane Society


Newmarket, ON (June 1, 2009) – Prompted by a three part Globe and Mail investigative series that began Saturday, May 30, 2009, the Ontario SPCA will be investigating allegations of inappropriate conduct at the Toronto Humane Society. The article entitled "Killing Them with Kindness" alleges that the Toronto Humane Society is permitting the unnecessary suffering of animals with a restrictive euthanasia policy.


The Toronto Humane Society is one of nearly 50 community SPCA and Humane Societies in the province of Ontario. Though independently operated, the Toronto Humane Society is accountable to the Ontario SPCA through the Ontario SPCA Act. The Ontario SPCA is the province’s leading animal welfare organization. Representing its Branches and Affiliated Societies, the Ontario SPCA is accountable to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.


"The allegations raised in the Globe & Mail’s investigative report relate directly to the welfare of animals and as such require the Ontario SPCA to investigate through its mandate under the Ontario SPCA Act" said Hugh Coghill, Chief Inspector for the Ontario SPCA.


"We are extremely concerned to learn that an Affiliate is alleged to be conducting business in this manner. We will be consulting immediately with all stakeholders to ensure that conditions under which animals are kept at the Toronto Humane Society are in compliance with the policies and by-laws of the Ontario SPCA as is required by Affiliated Societies" added Kate MacDonald, CEO for the Ontario SPCA.


The Ontario SPCA intends to be thorough, fair and transparent in its investigation and will advise the public and media of its progress.


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Ontario SPCA suspends Toronto Humane Society’s Affiliate status


Newmarket, ON (June 2, 2009) – After an emergency meeting of the Ontario SPCA Board of Directors, the Toronto Humane Society’s status as an Affiliate member has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation launched as a result of allegations brought forth in a series of Globe and Mail articles. The investigation is ongoing.


The suspension means that Toronto Humane Society will not be able to conduct cruelty investigations and will not have authority or protection under the Ontario SPCA Act.


The allegations in the Globe and Mail articles suggest that Toronto Humane Society is permitting the unnecessary suffering of animals with a restrictive euthanasia policy and permitting animals to be in distress. Additional allegations include improper management of staff, volunteers, resources and finances.


“If the Ontario SPCA receives a credible allegation of animals in distress, we are required to investigate under the Ontario SPCA Act,” said Hugh Coghill, Chief Inspector for the Ontario SPCA.


“The Ontario SPCA may also review an affiliate’s status at any time to ensure that they are in good standing and that their conduct is in keeping with the organization’s mandate and by-laws,” said Kate MacDonald, CEO for the Ontario SPCA.


Background:


The Toronto Humane Society is one of nearly 50 community SPCA and Humane Societies in the province of Ontario. Though independently operated, the Toronto Humane Society is accountable to the Ontario SPCA through the Ontario SPCA Act. The Ontario SPCA is the province’s leading animal welfare organization. Representing its Branches and Affiliated Societies, the Ontario SPCA is accountable to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.


Ontario SPCA Euthanasia Policy:


The Ontario SPCA takes the issue of euthanasia very seriously. It is only done when there is no other humane option available. Reasons the Ontario SPCA euthanizes include: terminal illness or injury where there is no possibility of recovery, behavioural problems that pose a threat to other animals or humans, stray or feral overpopulation, disease transmission, and old age where the quality of life is impaired by major loss of functions. Sadly, in some cases animals may be euthanized due to shelter overcrowding. Overcrowding threatens the lives of all the animals in our care due to stress, weakened immune systems and increased risk of disease transmission. This requires the Society to make difficult decisions about euthanasia based on health, physical, emotional and psychological suffering, and the best interests of the hundreds of animals receiving lifesaving care in a single facility.

8 comments:

mytwh said...

WOW. I don't even know what to say. And those pictures of the animals - God. I hope justice is done. So sad.

GoLightly said...

Yup, I said just about the same thing, DDF.

I don't have any sympathy for Mr. Trow.

I know Mr. Coghill. Good guy.

Mr. Trow had lost my respect quite some time ago.

To The Animals.

And to realistic expectations.
Something Mr. Trow has limited knowledge of.
How could he yell at a dog owner!

Oh, on vetblog, someone commented that if you rent, you can't adopt dogs from the THS.

I got around that by lying to the THS, when I got red dog. I'd heard that, and was prepared to lie.
Owned her for almost 14 years. Rented all that time.

yeeesh.
Is this city getting a little more nutso to you, DDF?

Or is it just me?
I mean..
never mind.

Must be something in the Toronto water.

This "polarization" is getting weirder.

Maria@Conversations with Moms said...

I heard about this just this morning in the news. Crazy.

Thanks for the comment on my blog.

OldMorgans said...

Just utterly sad for the workers who are trying and for the animals. One man on an ego trip...
Hooray for the newspaper's investigative reporter.

sagebeasties.blogspot.com
oldmorgans.blogspot.com

bichonpawz said...

I don't know what to say either...but my reaction would have been similar to yours! This is just terrible. Awful for the animals. I sure do hope that justice is done.

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

OMD that is just WRONG....
We sure hope they get there paybacks..

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

DawgDyke said...

I've never been a fan of the THS; I'll be glad when the director is fired!! They need someone with a HEART to properly run the facility.

DogsDeserveFreedom said...

That wouldn't surprise me about the renting rules. Believe it or not, many OSPCAs will have rules like this too ... for example, you can't get a high energy dog from them if you work full time because they think you won't have time for the dog. Stupid stuff like that.

Is the city more nutso? I think this entire province has been going more and more nutso ever since the PB Ban was implemented. From that point on, people have been kooky - it's like something snapped inside.