Dog Adoption Network - March April '05 Stories

South Carolina Mall Offers Warm Adoptions

While visiting my sister at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, we visited the Inlet Square Mall at Murrell’s Inlet just south of Myrtle Beach. As we walked to the end of the mall, we were delighted to see an adoption center for homeless animals. The Waccamaw Animal Rescue Mission (WARM) is a no-kill refuge located in Conway, South Carolina. Its mission is the rescue and rehabilitation of wild and domestic animals and, fortunately, for this organization the mall has offered free space to promote adoption. If you are in the area, please visit this wonderful place.

New Interim Shelter Manager Sparks Controversy

Facing budgetary and managerial problems at the new Thomas J O’Connor Center, the MSPCA offered its own shelter manager, Barbara Hays for a three month period. In a very short period of time many long-term volunteers started to openly criticize the euthanasia of many dogs being housed at the center. Judging them unadoptable, Ms. Hays ordered the destruction of at least half the dogs at the center—approximately 88 (about twice the normal rate). She later stated that they failed her behavior assessment test and were deemed aggressive or unadoptable (see Republican article from 2/10/05). The volunteers and the behavioral specialists who previously evaluated these dogs vigorously and emotionally disagreed. The euthanasia of these dogs and other issues, including questioning the city’s apparent selection of Ms. Hays as Director without interviewing other candidates for this position was the topic of vigorous discussion at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Wednesday, March 9. (See MassLive Article).

Is TJ O’Connor Reverting Back to an Animal Control Pound rather than a Modern Shelter?

Statement of Concern - March Meeting

The building of the new TJ O’Connor facility was a cooperative effort between city governments and the animal advocate community. Many volunteers played a major role in shelter activities and later were part of an Advisory Board. Under the joint power authority, the cities of Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke and West Springfield formed a Board of Supervisors and an Advisory Board which gave advice on animal welfare.

Three years ago Mayor Albano created a shelter search committee comprised of the Board of Supervisors and members of this Advisory Board which demonstrated the willingness of the cities to incorporate the public in the shelter process. The Dog Adoption Network (DAN) played its own role in promoting the shelter concept to the community, media and city officials. DAN also raised specific monies to purchase equipment for the new Center. One year prior to the opening of the new facility, DAN submitted to the Board of Supervisors a detailed analysis of other shelters in Massachusetts of approximately the same size as our new facility. It discussed professional and volunteer staffing, shelter layout, budgets and the importance of a 501(c)(3) to offset the projected $400,000.00 deficit of the new facility.

Serious concerns have arisen recently regarding T. J. O’Connor including the following:

The loss of the internet website profiling animals for adoption.
A high euthanasia rate.
A temperament test that many behaviorists have challenged.
Loss of valued volunteers.
Reduced hours of access for the public and volunteers.
The diminished role of the Board of Supervisors in the shelter decision making process.

DAN has tried to arbitrate the issues mentioned above by asking volunteers to fill out a survey form to specifically identify these complaints. In addition we met with Barbara Hays discussing the above concerns with the hope that an organizational meeting would take place in order to resolve these issues.

The role of the Dog Adoption Network has always been an independent one. Our main objectives are to support the volunteers at the Center, educate the public about pet responsibility and promote adoption.

It is our view that the movement of this facility back in the direction of an animal control pound will have an adverse effect on its financial future. Only a strong effort by current management bringing all sides together will save this great facility and its intended purpose of public safety and animal welfare.

Dog Adoption Network Inc.

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