By William Kearns
My email was sent this morning to the City Manager, Mayor and councilmembers -
AM&W Policy Changes Needed - Oversight, Transparency and Fairness for all shelter pets
Mayor Nelson,
In the aftermath of the accidental killing of the Boston/CHI mix named Gordy, the City Manager said they would examine current policies. Policies change on a routine basis; some of these changes have caused major issues for the rescue community hindering our ability to help the city bring positive outcomes for our shelter pets. There is a need for true oversight, transparency and impartiality to all shelter pets.
As an animal advocate and the former Chairman of the Animal Advisory Board, I can tell you we have been asking for some standards regarding the EU policies at AM&W for years, this is not a new problem. It is also not the first time an animal has been euthanized accidently, we do not think these errors are done deliberately and the following changes we are requesting will help prevent this from occurring in the future.
Changes that should be implemented immediately:
1. An oversight committee is necessary to regulate/evaluate the policies of AM&W – Not an internal advisory board! It should be made up with representation from all local rescues. New policies and policy changes would require a majority vote. Changing older policies would require 2/3 majority vote.
Note: The current policies for AM&W are not available for the public to evaluate, this needs to be changed as well. Often, their own employees will claim they are not aware of new/changed policies.
2. An established day and time for shelter pets to be euthanized – Deviation only due to veterinarian override.
3. A public share of all pets listed to be euthanized (AM&W’s Facebook would be appropriate), it should be posted immediately following expiration of current list.
4. Update of previous public EU list with outcomes for each shelter pet
5. Veterinarian supervision for all EUs
6. Cease the immediate killing of owner surrenders at intake – Allow at least 72 hours for adoption/rescue, unless there is a Veterinarian override.
