Written by PETA
In their fervor to avoid euthanasia at all costs, "no-kill" facilities sometimes enable animal hoarders and others who put animals in abusive situations. Last week, for example, more than 100 dogs and cats were rescued from a West Virginia animal hoarder. The animals were locked in cramped, rusty cages in an old schoolhouse, and many of the animals were sick and starving, lying amid their own feces with no access to food or water. According to one news report, "The animals cringed when rescue workers shined lights onto them."
Representatives from two "no-kill" organizations had visited this facility earlier this year. They found that the animals were living in deplorable conditions and suspected that the woman in charge was in fact an animal hoarder (d'oh). But they and others enabled her to continue hoarding animals: They cleaned up the property just enough to make it pass inspection by law enforcement officials, took a few animals with them, and never looked back.
Like many hoarders, the woman often acquired animals from local animal shelters, which may have been pressured to turn the animals over to anyone who would take them, rather than euthanizing them. This whole sad, twisted situation is another reminder that warehousing animals—that is, handing animals over to hoarders or others who don't have the ability to properly care for them—is not a humane solution to the companion animal overpopulation crisis. The only solution is to ensure that all animal companions are spayed or neutered.
Written by Lindsay Pollard-Post
To the person who posted about the e-clinic refusing treatment until they were paid, I experienced a similar situation with an e-clinic in PA. I took my 15-year-old dog there to be put to sleep because she was in great distress (literally yelping nonstop). I had been to this clinic 3 previous times and paid in full each time. With my heart breaking, I begged them to end my baby's suffering. They wouldn't do anything until I filled out the paperwork (I can understand having to sign for such a request). They then needed my credit card, which I gave them - and they still wouldn't do anything until it was processed and the payment cleared. All the while, my dog was yelping and struggling. It was absolutely horrific.
Since then, I had to take my elderly Pom to an e-clinic in Winston Salem, NC and they were wonderful. Their primary concern was taking care of him as quickly as possible. He was put in an oxygen chamber before I filled out any paperwork or paid them a dime. Of course, I had to pay upfront before any treatment or diagnosis was made, but at least his comfort was their first concern (before $$$). Apparently it all depends on the facility.
I'm sorry for your experience and hope your story had a happy ending. I lost both of my babies.
I will forever appreciate and admire the courageous and empowering documented undercover work you do as well as your fact sheets.
You persistence is infectious and inspiring.Though I strongly disagree with killing an animal for the reason they are homeless (euthanasia) as I only believe in taking a life of a animal if sadly it is in self defense or they are ill and in pain with no chance of recovery and all options have been explored No one is going to agree on everything even within an organization however the majority of what PETA is about I DO agree with and that is what matters.I would think you don't want stepford wives supporting you and I would hope you encourage people who not only agree with the majority you do but are also innovative and bring a lot to the table that may open your eyes as well.I embrace the endless journey of learning and evolving and I would hope PETA does too.
Instead of smearing the no kill movement we should be raising money to provide no kill shelters with more facilities and funds to educate people on animal appreciation and animal lib, as well as be able to hire and support properly trained compassionate staff to run o kill shelters.This is one area I really wish PETA would realize their are so wrong about.
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