Stop Convenience Killing of Victorian Shelter Animals

Convenience killing is the killing of animals to create space, save money, avoid working with rescue groups, avoid the effort of treatment and behavioural work for animal shelters and pounds.

The key areas we see this issue can be improved is by mandatory reporting of euthanasia statistics and mandatory rescue group access to animals facing euthanasia. Transparent euthanasia reporting and rescue-group access laws has proven benefits to employee mental health, public health and safety, as well as a reduction of costs and increased revenue to shelters and pounds through adoption fees.

DASH

Beautiful greyhound Dash experienced five years of exploitation by the racing industry. After being surrendered to a large animal shelter, Claire and her partner fostered Dash for six weeks and reported an improvement in his anxiety-related behaviours.

When Claire was asked to return him to the shelter, she was assured he would find a loving home. A few weeks later, they received an email stating a behaviourist was working with Dash and he was “doing well!”.

However, Dash had already been killed. Moreover, shelter management confirmed that a behaviourist never met or worked with Dash, his anxiety was not treated with medication, despite an onsite vet clinic, and no rescue organisation was contacted to assist with his care.

This is why Andy Meddick sponsored and tabled a parliamentary petition for our animal shelter laws to change in Victoria. Over 27k Victorians signed the petition!

LOOKING AFTER YOUR COMPANION ANIMALS RESOURCE LIBRARY

During this challenging time shelters and rescue centres need extra support, and while we social distance and spend more time at home its a great opportunity to adopt or foster a companion animal. It’s also really important we provide them with the best possible care. Here are a few resources to help you do that.

https://andymeddick.com.au/2020/03/25/looking-after-your-companion-animals-resource-library/