August 27, 2005

Al-Van Humane Society

By Cathy Thaler, Owner Decadent Dogs

Somehow, for some reason, the notion exists that Al-Van Humane Society is a “no-kill” shelter. As president of Al-Van’s Board of Directors I want to set the record straight and explain to you exactly why that is not the case.

Al-Van Humane Society is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing shelter and care to homeless animals. Each year the numbers needing our help increases. In addition to fund-raising events, we rely on the generosity of the community, individuals and businesses to provide money needed to care for the animals and support other activities that meet our mission statement such as spay/neuter clinics, awareness/information booths at area events, and educational programs.

Did you know:

• Through July of this year, our shelter has taken in 1,741 unwanted animals and only 278 of those were adopted? By year-end, between Allegan and Van Buren County our area’s homeless animal population could not be solved even if every man, woman and child in the City of South Haven took one new pet.
• Al-Van re-homes only about 33% of the dogs/puppies and a meager 9% of cats/kittens? Statistics that sound deplorable, but are in line with other organizations in our area.
• In 2004, 1396 kittens came to the shelter due to unwanted litters? Or that free roaming, unspayed/neutered cats are the main reason for cat overpopulation?
• 622 puppies also came to the shelter for the same reason?
• Pet spaying and neutering is the only proven way to stop unwanted litters and the resulting euthanization of hundreds of animals?
• Nearly half the dogs admitted to shelters could be avoided by having proper identification?

Imagine having to come to work, day after day, feeding, caring for and giving affection to a puppy that you have to euthenize because there aren’t enough homes to go around. It’s neither a fun job nor one for which most of us would have the stomach. But Al-Van’s staff could not be more compassionate. Yes, Al-Van Humane Society has to euthanize animals in their care because it is the humane thing to do.

Here are the year-to-date facts:

• 1% was euthanized by owner request.
• 1% was euthanized per Al-Van’s policy of not adopting out dangerous breeds.
• 2% were euthanized due to the Parvo Virus.
• 2% were euthanized due to pregnancy (we do not have the 24-hour staff for whelping and caring for newborns).
• 3% were euthanized due to behavioral issues that prevent adoption (unhousebroken, destructive, etc).
• 4% were euthanized because they are feral (they just don’t know how to be a house pet).
• 11% were euthanized due to overcrowding in the Shelter (unfortunately sometimes there is just no room at the inn).
• 15% were euthanized due to temperament (dogs surrendered for attacking or biting, for example).
• 29% were euthanized because they were unweened. (again, we do not have the staff for 24-hour care of newborns).
• And finally, 32% were euthanized due to physical problems (perhaps a dog that has been hit by a car or a cat with feline leukemia. (The shelter receives animals with a plethora of special needs. They try very hard to treat and work with animals that are able to recover, but some just will never be healthy again).

So as you can see, there are a lot of reasons why it is just more humane to let an animal leave this world peacefully by injection than stressfully, or perhaps even painfully without it.

There may be some confusion regarding Al-Van being a “no-kill” shelter. The staff will reassure visitors to take their time finding the right pet as these animals will not be euthanized. We’re fairly certain that this may be the cause of the confusion. Let me explain what the staff means. At Al-Van, the building is segregated in a way that keeps questionable or unadoptable animals on one side and adoptable animals on the other. If an animal makes it to the adoptable side, it has virtually a 100% chance of being re-homed. Those animals are groomed, socialized, and finally adopted out or sent to breed rescue organization . You need not worry about those animals. They will find a home eventually. Animals on the other side are evaluated and either moved to the adoptable side or euthanized.

Pet overpopulation is a horrendous problem and I must commend Al-Van’s staff for a job well done. Now, you might be asking yourself what you can do to help. Here are a few suggestions:

Have your pets spayed or neutered (don’t have litters because your pets would make cute puppies, or you want your kids to see the miracle of birth, among various other reasons I’ve heard). Unaltered pet cats running free are creating the huge feral cat population that runs rampant in our area.

• Make sure your pet’s collar is secure.


• Put identification on your pet’s collar.


• Microchip your pet (we can do it for you at the shelter or visit your veterinarian).


• When considering adding a pet to your family, adopt from the shelter, at Decadent Dogs, or Miss Kris’s Home Room (places that showcase adoptable pets from the shelter).


• Support Al-Van Humane Society by becoming a member, attending fund-raisers, donating supplies or cash, volunteering, and of course, advocating for animal rights.


• Remember Al-Van when planning your estate or in your year-end giving.

You can make a difference. Please help us to continue to improve this problem and look for ways to eventually eliminate it.

Sincerely,
Cathryn A. Thaler

Posted by Denise at 12:39 AM | Comments (1)