I have to comment on the recent letter written by my friend Larry Kahn (“Lay off Anderson,” Feb. 11) pertaining to The Shredder’s “Change (Back)” article (Feb. 4). I’m not commenting to stir up controversy or to ignore the fact that things at the county animal shelter could be much worse. But the issue of “every reasonable effort” being made by the management at Animal Services to provide opportunities for adoption or rescue, I question on behalf of the creatures who lost their lives.
In the nine years I have worked hands on with thousands of abandoned animals at the Animal Services shelter, I have seen too many cases where felines lost their lives due to miscommunication by management. And I’m sorry: Having walked the talk in the field of animal rescue regarding felines impounded at the county shelter, there comes a point at which I have to ask, when does the explanation for “accidental killings” as “miscommunication” among management become worn out? I’m talking about feline lives reserved for rescue by certified rescue groups: Even though every measure required by Animal Services was adhered to, I walk in and hear “I’m sorry, he/she was just euthanized. It was miscommunication.” It hits like lead.
This article appears in Feb 25 – Mar 4, 2010.