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Connecticut "Humane" Society?
Connecticut Humane Society?
Picking up the mail today, I found a pink-hued solicitation letter for the Connecticut Humane Society's Spring Fund Drive, reminding me to send a donation, assuring me that the animals they take in "are cared for in a kind and loving way". This after I had just finished a phone call from a friend consumed with grief. She had recently brought two young, friendly cats to the Society's Westport branch, certain they would be safe there. She was stunned to find they had been put to death, along with over TWENTY other cats on Saturday, April 30, 2005. Why? Because they had caught colds. Not rabies, not distemper, not FIV or feline leukemia. Just easily treated colds. It was more convenient and less costly for the staff to kill the cats than administer antibiotics. The Connecticut Humane Society (CHS) is a privately run organization operating from its main headquarters in Newington. They have 3 branches. The Westport branch IS NOT Westport Animal Control, as is commonly thought. The Westport town-run pound is located off of South Compo Road in a small, dilapidated cement block structure. The CHS permanently closed their Stamford branch several years ago without notice, leaving a huge void for homeless animals in that area. They closed their Westport branch in 2003 for a year-long renovation, again with no notice or outreach to other shelters and rescue groups who were forced to absorb a staggering influx of unwanted animals during that time. The CHS is not obligated to report their euthanasia statistics to the State. We have no idea how many cats and dogs are "humanely" put to death at their four locations annually, but they are NOT no-kill shelters for companion animals. As reported by Animal People, a watchdog publication for animal protection charities, the CHS had $61 million of discretionary income at its disposal and another $14 million in investments held by others, yet only spent $3.7 million on programs and overhead in 2000. www.guidestar.org, the national database for nonprofit organizations, has the CHS' 2003 IRS form 990 which shows little change from 2000. The Wise Giving Alliance (www.give.org) suggests a standard of not accumulating unrestricted net assets more than three times the size of the current year's budget. The P.S. at the bottom of the solicitation letter I received, signed by CHS President Richard Johnston read, "With your help we will provide the security of a warm place to sleep, food for the starving, and medical attention if necessary". If my money is not being used for antibiotics, I certainly don't want it being used to purchase sodium pentobarbitone to kill the animals in their purported care. On April 30th they strayed far from their Mission Statement of "promoting humanity and kindness". Marketing themselves as something they aren't is an injustice not only to the Mission they are legally obligated to operate under, but to the thousands of dogs and cats in our community. You can order a subscription to Animal People's annual "Watchdog Report" which lists the financials of over 100 animal charities by going to www.animalpeoplenews.org/watchdog_report.html Be informed, know where your money goes. I know mine will no longer go to the Connecticut Humane Society. Karen Rasmussen Wilton, CT |
#2
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Karen Rasmussen wrote:
Connecticut Humane Society? Picking up the mail today, I found a pink-hued solicitation letter for the Connecticut Humane Society's Spring Fund Drive, reminding me to send a donation, assuring me that the animals they take in "are cared for in a kind and loving way". This after I had just finished a phone call from a friend consumed with grief. She had recently brought two young, friendly cats to the Society's Westport branch, certain they would be safe there. She was stunned to find they had been put to death, along with over TWENTY other cats on Saturday, April 30, 2005. Why? Because they had caught colds. You need to write this to the perpetrators of the crime. And yes, I think it's a crime they killed those cats. Jill |
#3
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"Karen Rasmussen" wrote in message ... Connecticut Humane Society? Picking up the mail today, I found a pink-hued solicitation letter for the Connecticut Humane Society's Spring Fund Drive, reminding me to send a donation, assuring me that the animals they take in "are cared for in a kind and loving way". snip It sucks, but this is what is commonly done at open admission shelters. I volunteer at a limited admission shelter, so no, we don't put animals down for having a cold, but we do have to turn away new intakes if we are full. Although, it is our policy to take in strays ASAP. If we are full, the strays usually have to stay in the animal control pound until there is room. Before I started getting into volunteering and cat rescue, I went to the MSPCA to adopt a cat. It was really busy, and I wasn't ready to take a cat home that day. I saw a cute buff colored one year old girl named Sandy. I wasn't even thinking that she could be put down. I decided to come back another day, and if she was not adopted, I would adopt her. When I came back, I didn't see her so I asked if she was adopted. They told me no, she caught a URI, they had no foster homes, so they had to put her down. I was horrified, and I felt, and still do feel guilty. -Kelly |
#4
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Karen Rasmussen wrote: Why? Because they had caught colds. Not rabies, not distemper, not FIV or feline leukemia. Just easily treated colds. It was more convenient and less costly for the staff to kill the cats than administer antibiotics. Whoa. Wait a minute. How familiar are you with the facility? What is their capacity for cats, and how many cats did they have at that time? NO shelter thinks it is "convenient" to kill cats. They hate euthanizing animals. And believe me, antibiotic is much cheaper to administer than sodium pentabarbitol. I can't say for sure, but possibly the shelter was absolutely full past capacity, and they had to make room. Of course it is horrible to euthanize pets with a treatable illness, but if it's a choice between the healthy kittens & cats, and the ones ill with URIs, it's the only choice they have. If you are absolutely sure of the facts, and you KNOW this shelter is killing animals for "convenience" and because they simply don't want to bother with them, you are well justified in your post. But please, be SURE before you slander them like that. A humane society's best asset is its reputation. We survive on the generosity of donors. Once that reputation is tainted, or damaged, the donations will stop coming. And when that happens, my friend, the animals are the ones who suffer. Just be sure you've got your facts straight. Ask for a tour of the shelter--see for yourself how overcrowded (nor not) they are. Ask for their euthanasia records. (Most shelters will share them). Please don't be a part of that unless you have solid, first-hand information and have looked into it yourself. Sherry |
#5
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"Karen Rasmussen" wrote in message
... Connecticut Humane Society? Picking up the mail today, I found a pink-hued solicitation letter for the Connecticut Humane Society's Spring Fund Drive, reminding me to send a donation, assuring me that the animals they take in "are cared for in a kind and loving way". This after I had just finished a phone call from a friend consumed with grief. She had recently brought two young, friendly cats to the Society's Westport branch, certain they would be safe there. She was stunned to find they had been put to death, along with over TWENTY other cats on Saturday, April 30, 2005. Why? Because they had caught colds. Not rabies, not distemper, not FIV or feline leukemia. Just easily treated colds. It was more convenient and less costly for the staff to kill the cats than administer antibiotics. The Connecticut Humane Society (CHS) is a privately run organization operating from its main headquarters in Newington. They have 3 branches. The Westport branch IS NOT Westport Animal Control, as is commonly thought. The Westport town-run pound is located off of South Compo Road in a small, dilapidated cement block structure. The CHS permanently closed their Stamford branch several years ago without notice, leaving a huge void for homeless animals in that area. They closed their Westport branch in 2003 for a year-long renovation, again with no notice or outreach to other shelters and rescue groups who were forced to absorb a staggering influx of unwanted animals during that time. The CHS is not obligated to report their euthanasia statistics to the State. We have no idea how many cats and dogs are "humanely" put to death at their four locations annually, but they are NOT no-kill shelters for companion animals. As reported by Animal People, a watchdog publication for animal protection charities, the CHS had $61 million of discretionary income at its disposal and another $14 million in investments held by others, yet only spent $3.7 million on programs and overhead in 2000. www.guidestar.org, the national database for nonprofit organizations, has the CHS' 2003 IRS form 990 which shows little change from 2000. The Wise Giving Alliance (www.give.org) suggests a standard of not accumulating unrestricted net assets more than three times the size of the current year's budget. The P.S. at the bottom of the solicitation letter I received, signed by CHS President Richard Johnston read, "With your help we will provide the security of a warm place to sleep, food for the starving, and medical attention if necessary". If my money is not being used for antibiotics, I certainly don't want it being used to purchase sodium pentobarbitone to kill the animals in their purported care. On April 30th they strayed far from their Mission Statement of "promoting humanity and kindness". Marketing themselves as something they aren't is an injustice not only to the Mission they are legally obligated to operate under, but to the thousands of dogs and cats in our community. You can order a subscription to Animal People's annual "Watchdog Report" which lists the financials of over 100 animal charities by going to www.animalpeoplenews.org/watchdog_report.html Be informed, know where your money goes. I know mine will no longer go to the Connecticut Humane Society. Karen Rasmussen Wilton, CT ------------------------------------------------------------------ This is not a troll. I live in CT and volunteer for Friends of Felines in Stamford, CT. www.adoptapet.org All the no-kill rescue groups in CT after been after the CT Humane Society for a long time. The CT Humane Society considers any animal over a year old unadoptable and disposable. This group also has alot of $$$$$. This woman is obviously irate as are all the no-kill rescue groups in CT who so desparately need money to run their small no-kill groups. Meanwhile, ignorant people are swayed by the constant pleas for money by the CT Humane Society's propaganda. -------------------- Sticky Buds |
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On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 09:46:24 -0400, "Sticky Buds"
wrote: "Karen Rasmussen" wrote in message ... Connecticut Humane Society? Picking up the mail today, I found a pink-hued solicitation letter for the Connecticut Humane Society's Spring Fund Drive, reminding me to send a donation, assuring me that the animals they take in "are cared for in a kind and loving way". This after I had just finished a phone call from a friend consumed with grief. She had recently brought two young, friendly cats to the Society's Westport branch, certain they would be safe there. She was stunned to find they had been put to death, along with over TWENTY other cats on Saturday, April 30, 2005. Why? Because they had caught colds. Not rabies, not distemper, not FIV or feline leukemia. Just easily treated colds. It was more convenient and less costly for the staff to kill the cats than administer antibiotics. The Connecticut Humane Society (CHS) is a privately run organization operating from its main headquarters in Newington. They have 3 branches. The Westport branch IS NOT Westport Animal Control, as is commonly thought. The Westport town-run pound is located off of South Compo Road in a small, dilapidated cement block structure. The CHS permanently closed their Stamford branch several years ago without notice, leaving a huge void for homeless animals in that area. They closed their Westport branch in 2003 for a year-long renovation, again with no notice or outreach to other shelters and rescue groups who were forced to absorb a staggering influx of unwanted animals during that time. The CHS is not obligated to report their euthanasia statistics to the State. We have no idea how many cats and dogs are "humanely" put to death at their four locations annually, but they are NOT no-kill shelters for companion animals. As reported by Animal People, a watchdog publication for animal protection charities, the CHS had $61 million of discretionary income at its disposal and another $14 million in investments held by others, yet only spent $3.7 million on programs and overhead in 2000. www.guidestar.org, the national database for nonprofit organizations, has the CHS' 2003 IRS form 990 which shows little change from 2000. The Wise Giving Alliance (www.give.org) suggests a standard of not accumulating unrestricted net assets more than three times the size of the current year's budget. The P.S. at the bottom of the solicitation letter I received, signed by CHS President Richard Johnston read, "With your help we will provide the security of a warm place to sleep, food for the starving, and medical attention if necessary". If my money is not being used for antibiotics, I certainly don't want it being used to purchase sodium pentobarbitone to kill the animals in their purported care. On April 30th they strayed far from their Mission Statement of "promoting humanity and kindness". Marketing themselves as something they aren't is an injustice not only to the Mission they are legally obligated to operate under, but to the thousands of dogs and cats in our community. You can order a subscription to Animal People's annual "Watchdog Report" which lists the financials of over 100 animal charities by going to www.animalpeoplenews.org/watchdog_report.html Be informed, know where your money goes. I know mine will no longer go to the Connecticut Humane Society. Karen Rasmussen Wilton, CT ------------------------------------------------------------------ This is not a troll. I live in CT and volunteer for Friends of Felines in Stamford, CT. www.adoptapet.org All the no-kill rescue groups in CT after been after the CT Humane Society for a long time. The CT Humane Society considers any animal over a year old unadoptable and disposable. This group also has alot of $$$$$. This woman is obviously irate as are all the no-kill rescue groups in CT who so desparately need money to run their small no-kill groups. Meanwhile, ignorant people are swayed by the constant pleas for money by the CT Humane Society's propaganda. -------------------- Sticky Buds All anyone needs to is take a look at all the mailing they'd get if they make even ONE donation to HSUS. I did a few years ago and now I get a torrent of requests for donations, accompanied by personalized return mail adhesive labels, calenders, picture albums, greeting cars, and other "novelties", speaking loud and clear about where donated money REALLY goes. |
#7
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equalizer wrote:
On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 09:46:24 -0400, "Sticky Buds" wrote: "Karen Rasmussen" wrote in message ... Connecticut Humane Society? Picking up the mail today, I found a pink-hued solicitation letter for the Connecticut Humane Society's Spring Fund Drive, reminding me to send a donation, assuring me that the animals they take in "are cared for in a kind and loving way". This after I had just finished a phone call from a friend consumed with grief. She had recently brought two young, friendly cats to the Society's Westport branch, certain they would be safe there. She was stunned to find they had been put to death, along with over TWENTY other cats on Saturday, April 30, 2005. Why? Because they had caught colds. ------------------------------------------------------------------ This is not a troll. I live in CT and volunteer for Friends of Felines in Stamford, CT. www.adoptapet.org All the no-kill rescue groups in CT after been after the CT Humane Society for a long time. The CT Humane Society considers any animal over a year old unadoptable and disposable. This group also has alot of $$$$$. This woman is obviously irate as are all the no-kill rescue groups in CT who so desparately need money to run their small no-kill groups. Meanwhile, ignorant people are swayed by the constant pleas for money by the CT Humane Society's propaganda. -------------------- Sticky Buds All anyone needs to is take a look at all the mailing they'd get if they make even ONE donation to HSUS. I did a few years ago and now I get a torrent of requests for donations, accompanied by personalized return mail adhesive labels, calenders, picture albums, greeting cars, and other "novelties", speaking loud and clear about where donated money REALLY goes. I get those things in the mail all the time, not just from the Humane Society but from other organizations to whom I've never donated a dime. You're right; they are wasting donated funds (or grant money, wherever it may come from) which could be better spent on taking care of the cause for which they are soliciting. I think I have enough free personalized mailing labels to last into the 22nd century. Jill |
#8
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equalizer wrote in message ... All anyone needs to is take a look at all the mailing they'd get if they make even ONE donation to HSUS. I did a few years ago and now I get a torrent of requests for donations, accompanied by personalized return mail adhesive labels, calenders, picture albums, greeting cars, and other "novelties", speaking loud and clear about where donated money REALLY goes. The American Cancer Society got our address somewhere, we suspect from someone in one of the support groups that we used to go to. Now we get them pleading with us for money, when we often have to choose the bill to pay. Pam S. tired of the ACS |
#9
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Pamela Shirk wrote: The American Cancer Society got our address somewhere, we suspect from someone in one of the support groups that we used to go to. Now we get them pleading with us for money, when we often have to choose the bill to pay. Pam S. tired of the ACS Wow. I didn't realize *everybody* got all that junk. The weirdest one I get is from some bunch that wants money for some poor Indian reservation in New Mexico or Arizona or somewhere. Man. THEY are persistant. The maddest I got was when I got a "free" DVD, about whales or something from a wildlife group. It appears I was "enrolled" by this group, would receive one a month for $9.95. It really ragged me to have to package the stupid thing and send it back. Sherry |
#10
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jmcquown wrote:
equalizer wrote: All anyone needs to is take a look at all the mailing they'd get if they make even ONE donation to HSUS. I did a few years ago and now I get a torrent of requests for donations, accompanied by personalized return mail adhesive labels, calenders, picture albums, greeting cars, and other "novelties", speaking loud and clear about where donated money REALLY goes. I get those things in the mail all the time, not just from the Humane Society but from other organizations to whom I've never donated a dime. You're right; they are wasting donated funds (or grant money, wherever it may come from) which could be better spent on taking care of the cause for which they are soliciting. I think I have enough free personalized mailing labels to last into the 22nd century. Jill I finally got sick of all the "gifts" and such and emailed them a request to "please stop sending me stuff!". They said they would stop all mailings with the exception of the yearly calendar. I haven't received anything since. If you're not a contributor, it probably won't work. I also remember seeing something about getting on a "no junk mail" list, sort of like the "do not call" list. I'll have to try to find where I read about that. Will let you all know when I find it -- Elise (supervised by Gossamer & Jeeves) pics: |
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