| | September 23rd marks the official beginning of autumn. However, as 2003 moves into its waning months, there is much to anticipate in 2004. The Capital Campaign to build the new The Leanne B. Roberts Animal Care Center is moving ahead steadily; nearly half the amount needed to build the facility has already been raised, and in early 2004, demolition of part of the Bi-Rite Building is scheduled. The Bi-Rite building is the large warehouse adjoining Maddie's Pet Adoption Center that will house the new Roberts Center. The medical center has been designed by ARQ Architects, the same firm that designed Maddie's. It will be an exciting, state-of-the art facility, very light and airy, and with an ambience of optimism and promise. |
The promise engendered by The Leanne B. Roberts Animal Care Center is in stark contrast to the tragic situation facing thousands of dogs and cats in many parts of America. The desperate need for a wholesale change in the direction of animal welfare policies in these areas was revealed in two recent newspaper articles. One was an outstanding series from the Charlotte Observer (June 2003) entitled 'Death at the Pound', which investigated the euthanasia rates in shelters throughout the Carolinas.
The shocking loss of life at the Charlotte shelter, the largest and best-funded shelter in the region where lethal injection is used for euthanasia, was 70% of dogs and cats. In outlying areas, where many shelters still use carbon monoxide as the method of euthanization, the figures were more stunning, reaching as high as 91%. One rural shelter killed almost every animal it took in. The Charlotte Observer pointed out that "not one county in the region had spent public money on the only method proven to reduce the number of unwanted animals killed in shelters: spaying and neutering pets to cut down on population growth."
The second newspaper article related the story of Quentin, a mixed breed dog surrendered to the St. Louis Animal Regulation Center. On August 4th, Quentin and several other homeless dogs were locked in the shelter's gas chamber. When the chamber was unlocked fifteen minutes later, there was Quentin, sitting in the corner wagging his tale. His remarkable survival made headlines, he was turned over to a rescue organization, was adopted by its founder and is now a 'spokesdog' for animal rights issues. Quentin had a miraculous escape that day; the other dogs were not so fortunate.
It is estimated that 5-9 million dogs and cats will be euthanized in this country this year - most of them needlessly. More than half of the dogs and cats that end up in the animal control/shelter system are killed. But it doesn't have to be this way. The SF/SPCA, together with SF/ACC, has shown that a strategy of saving all adoptable, and as many treatable dogs and cats as possible, while aggressively promoting spay/neuter programs in order to slash the numbers of unwanted dogs and cats, is a viable alternative to the outdated and inhumane practices in many parts of this country. The SF/SPCA will continue to advocate nationally for the policies that have made San Francisco the safest city in the country for homeless dogs and cats. We are confident that a new consciousness is awakening. It is not an impossible dream.
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