Category Archives: Euthanasia

Sukie, a year-old rescue pup from North Macedonia, faces euthanasia if she does not receive a life-saving hip replacement which will cost 7,000.

Kelly Bell, Sukies foster parent, said: You wouldnt have thought there was anything wrong with her, its shocking how shes managing but she doesnt know any different to the pain shes in.

[Euthanasia] would be the worst option and I dont want that to happen. With me having her this long, just seeing the energy she has and the character, shes not ready for that. Theres help we can do.

Sukie is Kellys fifth rescue dog and was brought over from North Macedonia due to limited veterinary care in the country as part of the animal rescue organisation Viktors Pawprints, where Kelly volunteers.

The organisation was founded by Viktor Maznev in Veles, North Macedonia where he has been rescuing dogs since he was 14-years-old and was studying to be a vet before the rescue operation "took over".

Rebecca Russell, a volunteer fundraiser at the organisation said that dogs are classed as vermin in the country and are often poisoned or knocked down in the street.

She said: Were going to do all that we can but we cant leave Sukie as she is because obviously shes in pain."

It is believed that Sukie was hit by a car and fractured her pelvis, and now requires a full hip replacement as recent X-rays have shown the back of her hind leg is sitting above the femur head, meaning it is not in the hip socket.

To raise funds for Sukies surgery Kelly is doing a sponsored skydive on July 23.

She said: Im very nervous! But Im very excited because its for a very good cause because my passion is animals.

So far, almost 1,400 has been raised towards the surgery, to donate visit GoFundMe.

Read the original here:

Scarborough woman left with 7,000 vet bill as rescue puppy she fostered needs life-saving surgery or faces euthanasia - The Scarborough News

Senator Zed Seselja has hit back at Labor Senator Katy Gallagher, whose petition this week accused him of undemocratically blocking a bill to let Territories legislate on euthanasia.

Senator Gallagher is playing politics with an issue of life and death where there are differing views within the community, Senator Seselja said.

Senator Gallagher had claimed Senator Seselja stood in the way of restoring the ACT Legislative Assemblys right to make laws for its own citizens.

Northern Territory Liberal Senator Dr Sam McMahon has not included the ACT in her private members bill because, she said, Senator Seselja wasnt keen. If Zeds not interested and not going to support it, I dont think it would be worth doing. Id be better off just doing it for the NT.

Senator Gallagher had said Senator Seselja was only in politics for himself, and put his conservative personal views ahead of the democratic rights of Canberrans.

Senator Seselja retorted: She is lying when she claims that I have stood in the way of any Senator putting forward a bill which includes the ACT. I have simply been consistent in the position I have taken to every election I have contested.

The Liberal Senator has been an outspoken opponent of euthanasia for years, arguing that assisted dying was an ethical threshold that should not be crossed.

He is concerned that vulnerable people would be pressured into suicide (as they have in the USA); and that children with incurable diseases, alcoholics and drug addicts, people with dementia, the mentally ill and the disabled could all be killed with the approval of the State (as they have in some European countries). He worries that governments might find it easier and cheaper to euthanise people considered a burden on society rather than to properly fund palliative care, which would offer a dignified death.

If Senator Gallagher is as committed to legalising euthanasia as she claims, there is nothing preventing her from introducing a bill to the Senate, as all senators are entitled to do.

Senator Seselja has said that he considers euthanasia a matter for a conscience vote, which he maintains the Senate and Parliament have already considered and rejected. However, he might be willing to discuss or consider giving the ACT broader territory rights, if euthanasia were part of a package of legislation and not the principal issue.

Meanwhile, Senator Gallaghers petition to restore Territory rights had received nearly 1,600 votes by Friday afternoon.

For more news:

See the article here:

'Playing politics with life and death': Seselja responds to Gallagher - Canberra Weekly

Warning: This story deals with the topic of suicide.

No-one will ever know when Neil Vaughan decided to take his life by jumping from a cruise ship off the east coast of New Zealand.

It could have been anytime in the preceding 11 years as Parkinsons disease took its inexorable and excruciating toll.

It could have been in the moments before he leapt, on the evening of December 29, 2019, as he writhed and screamed in pain as his wife of 39 years, Nina, went to get them dinner. Or it could have been earlier that day when he surprised Nina by overcoming his pain sufficiently to spend the day looking around Napier.

Bill Kearns/Stuff

Vaughan jumped from the ship about six nautical miles off the coast of Mahia, pictured. (File photo)

READ MORE:* Rainy day savings part of Cullen legacy* Man who admitted attempting to kill his ill wife in apparent suicide pact sentenced* Let dementia sufferers decide their death before their mind fails

Vaughan was 62. He and Nina lived in Warragul, 100 kilometres southeast of Melbourne.

The father of two was in the advanced stages of Parkinsons and was in great pain, physically and psychologically. His mind and body had long ceased operating the way he wanted.

He and Nina had discussed euthanasia.

Both had filled in forms with their doctor stating that if they were terminally ill they were not to be revived. Both agreed they wanted quality of life ahead of quantity of life.

Coroner Bruce Hesketh has issued his findings on Vaughans death.

Reporting restrictions that usually apply to suicides were lifted in Vaughans case following an application by Stuff to Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall.

Marshall said it was in the public interest to allow publication of the details of Vaughans death given the debate surrounding euthanasia and the upcoming implementation of the End of Life Choice Act 2019.

Stuffs application was supported by Vaughans wife Nina, who said she and her husband both considered the policies around euthanasia were outdated and did not take into account the needs and wishes of the person who was ill.

Supplied

Marinetraffic.com plotted the track of the Norwegian Jewel after Vaughan went overboard.

Vaughans condition had deteriorated greatly since being diagnosed in 2008, and was compounded by dementia. He had been in the advanced stages of the disease in his last three years. A visit to a neurologist a month before the cruise confirmed cognitive impairment as well as psychological and behaviour problems.

The Parkinsons was causing significant tremors in his limbs. He was embarrassed of the shaking and would get upset when people noticed or tried to help him.

He had become forgetful, anxious, was on a raft of medications, and was essentially confined to his house. Nina still worked and carers looked after him during the day.

The couple enjoyed cruising and on December 22, 2019, they boarded the Norwegian Jewel in Sydney for a Christmas and New Year cruise around New Zealand.

Vaughan got tired quickly and would usually sleep following breakfast and lunch. But on the morning of December 29, when the ship berthed at Napier, he surprised Nina by saying he was keen to go on a local tour.

Abigail Dougherty

The Norwegian Jewel cruise ship arrived in Auckland, on December 31, two days day after Vaughan went overboard. The ship had been bound for Tauranga, but sailed to Auckland after the incident occurred. The vessel could carry 2376 guests and 1069 crew members. (File photo)

They spent the morning in the city, taking in a one-hour vintage tour, before returning to the ship around 1.30pm

That afternoon Vaughan was trembling badly and crying in pain. At around 5.30pm Nina went to get dinner to bring back to the cabin. She was gone for about 10 minutes.

When she returned Vaughan was not in the cabin. She thought he must have fallen asleep, woken, and gone to find her. So she went looking for him. She could be seen on CCTV walking up and down the dining room and asking staff if they had seen him.

Returning to the cabin she noticed his key card lying on the table and his shoes on a shelf. She also noticed a deck chair on the deck had been moved up against the balcony glass. It was then that she feared Vaughan had gone overboard.

Ricky Wilson/Stuff

Chief coroner Judge Deborah Marshall granted an exemption from restrictions on making details of a suicide public following an application by Stuff. (File photo)

The ship turned and began searching for Vaughan. Fishing vessels, private yachts and the Hawkes Bay rescue helicopter were also asked to search.

No trace of Vaughan was ever found.

Nina told the coroner of the couples discussions about euthanasia, which had taken place in 2017, and said Vaughan had discarded his firearms after getting his Parkinsons diagnosis. Hed told her he didnt want to ever be tempted to use them on himself as she would be the one most likely to find him afterwards.

Nina told the coroner a good friend of Vaughans told her of a conversation he had had with Vaughan about two years earlier about ways to commit suicide.

Coroner Hesketh found Vaughans death to be a suicide. He said Vaughan was dressed in light clothing and would have drowned quickly in the sea about six nautical miles off the Mahia coast.

In June 2019, Victoria became the first state in Australia where euthanasia was legal. There are strict conditions. A person must have an advanced disease causing them unacceptable suffering and likely to die within six months, or 12 months for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinsons disease.

South Australia and Tasmania have since adopted similar laws, with other states in the process. New Zealands End of Life Act makes euthanasia legal for certain people from November 7.

It is unknown if Vaughan would have met the criteria. The coroners report does not state whether he had been assessed.

Nina could not be reached for comment.

A memorial service was held for Vaughan in late January 2020.

Such a gentleman. Parkinsons got the better of him but in pain no more my darling. We all loved you and miss you terribly, Nina wrote in his death notice.

KEVIN STENT/STUFF

Euthanasia advocate Bobbie Carroll says she is elated at the preliminary referendum result for the euthanasia referendum.

In the first 18 months since the Act came into force in Victoria, 328 people who were granted permits for assisted dying had died. A third of those died before taking the medication, or did not take the medication.

Of those 328 people granted permits, 47 had neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinsons, multiple sclerosis, Huntingtons etc).

Dying With Dignity Victoria president Hugh Sarjeant said someone suffering from Parkinsons would need a GP and a specialist in the disease saying yes, your condition is expected to cause your death within 12 months.

Theres no clear-cut way of doing it. Also, remember its a 6-month prognosis for most conditions, and 12 months for neurodegenerative conditions, he said.

We still find a lot of people dont know the ins and outs of the legislation, so they could assume theyre eligible when theyre not, or assume the other way, Sarjeant said.

The other thing that has been a sticking point is that you have to have been a Victorian resident for at least twelve months, and an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Weve got a lot of people in Australia who came from England or elsewhere decades ago and never took out citizenship, who cannot access voluntary dying. These people cannot access VAD (voluntary assisted dying) because permanent resident in the Act has been interpreted as meaning they have been granted permanent residency. It is not sufficient that a person permanently lives here, Sarjeant said.

The Victorian government had adopted those requirements as it wanted to stop suicide tourism.

It made sense in the legislation, but they werent thinking of these other people. The law gets reviewed after five years and could be changed then, he said.

Where to get help

1737, Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 to talk to a trained counsellor.

Anxiety New Zealand 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)

Depression.org.nz 0800 111 757 or text 4202

Kidsline 0800 54 37 54 for people up to 18 years old. Open 24/7.

Lifeline 0800 543 354

Mental Health Foundation 09 623 4812, click here to access its free resource and information service.

Rural Support Trust 0800 787 254

Samaritans 0800 726 666

Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

Supporting Families in Mental Illness 0800 732 825

thelowdown.co.nz Web chat, email chat or free text 5626

Excerpt from:

The tragic reason that led to a man jumping to his death from a cruise ship off the coast of New Zealand - Stuff.co.nz

Best Friends Animal Society,a leading animal welfare organization, has released its sixth annual pet lifesaving dataset,whichgives a national overview of the number of dogs and cats that enterand exitshelters each year.

It also includesa state-by-state no-kill priority rankingin whichFloridaisfourth.

Best Friends measures shelter lifesaving with a metric calledsave rate.

A 90% save rate is the nationally recognized benchmark to be considered no-kill, factoring that approximately 10 percent of pets who enter shelters have medical or behavioral circumstances that warrant humane euthanasia rather than killing for other reasons, such as lack of space.

In 2020,283,942 dogs and cats enteredFloridashelters and234,681were saved, giving the state an aggregate save rate of82.65%.

In the same year, an estimated55.92% of state shelters measured above the 90% benchmark. Those that were below it needed to save an estimated24,289more healthyor treatableanimals to makeFloridano-kill. A stateis considered to beno-kill when every brick-and-mortar shelter in the state has a save rate of 90% or higher.

Florida has many animal sheltering agencies doing tremendous work within theirlocalcommunities, saidTiffany Deaton, strategist for the Best Friends Animal Society East Region. They have implemented best practices to save the animals in their care and keeppets out of shelters andwith their families when possible.If we can take what we have learned from thesemodel agencies and share that knowledge and those resources with other communities and sheltersin Florida,we canmake the Sunshine State a safe place for animals in shelters.

By comparison, in 2019,361,478animals entered state shelters and282,021were saved for an aggregate save rate of78%. At the time, an estimated53.29%of shelters were no-kill and those that were below it needed to save an estimated45,503more animals.

This was a monumental year for cats and dogs in Americas shelters, said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. We saw communities, shelters and individuals step up for animals in ways we couldnt have imagined, and now we are closer than ever before to achieving our goal of no-kill by 2025.

The organization has identified the top six states where it says pets need to be saved: Texas, California, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama and Louisiana, which make up 50 percent of the dogs and cats still being killed in the nation. Although they continue to represent the largest lifesaving gaps, these states have seen significant progress in lifesaving over the past year.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted this years data, as many shelters or services had to partially close or reduce services. Communities and individuals filled that gap through volunteering, fostering and adopting. As a result, fewer pets entered shelters and more animals lives were saved.

This years progress has been exceptional, from what we have seen with community support and involvement and the lifesaving numbers as a result. It is crucial that we build on this momentum to keep pets out of shelters and in loving homes where they belong. This is how we will get to no-kill, Castle said.

Nationally, about 347,000 cats and dogs were killed in Americas shelters in 2020, down from 625,000 in 2019. This is the largest yearly reduction in dogs and cats killed in the nations shelters (44.5%) to date, putting the nation at an 83 percent save rate.

"Since we announced our no-kill goal the number of cats and dogs killed in shelters has decreased by 76%, down from about 1.5 million in 2016, said Castle. This is incredible progress, but we must never lose sight that there are stillover 950 cats and dogs killed every day just because they do not have a safe place to call home.

For the past six years, Best Friends has spearheaded a one-of-a-kind extensive data collection process that involved coordinated outreach to every shelter in America followed by additional research, data analysis, and technology development.

Original post:

Florida saved 6000 more dogs and cats in 2020 than Previous Year - Ponte Vedra Recorder

Invasive species expert tells why we should care about the battle between the species

Destruction from the invasive, leaf-eating gypsy moth caterpillar is plain to see. Yet many more invasive species, though not as prominent, are also on the prowl.

Julie Sherwood, MPNnow

Last week, a football-sized goldfishfound in a Minnesotalake shocked the internet with its size and breadth. In a widely shared Facebook post, the city of Burnsville warned residents not to release their pet fish into public waters, saying "they grow bigger than you think."

But these massive beasts aren't just inMinnesota. Indiana has them, too.

Yes, Indiana has giant goldfish. They're 100% real and not the result of some lab experiment.

But these gargantuan goldfish pose problems beyond their size, as they are an invasive species when found in ponds, lakes or reservoirs.

Large goldfish result from people dumping their fish into bodies of waterand survive when there are not a lot of native fish to prey on them, said Eric Fischer, aquatic invasive species coordinator for the Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife.However, these huge fish don't pop up very often.

"It's not uncommon, they pop up from time to time, but for the most part, we use them asa good example of why people shouldn't dump aquarium species because of the example of how ... in rare cases, of how they can thrive in Indiana waters," Fischer said.

Don't do it:Why Indiana DNR is reminding people not to dump goldfish in ponds or lakes

Several years ago, at J. Edward Roush Lake in Huntington, officials found 31 goldfish ranging from 6-11 inches.This was likely because "Roush has a problem with not enough native predators," Fischer said.

"In the right conditions, if you stock goldfish into a pond and there's not enough native predators and there's too many undesirable or problematic species like shad or other common carp, those sorts of things, then they can become abundant,"Fischer said."They can reproduce;they can stir up the sediment. They can even cause the native fish to be crowded out. So you have less productivity, and your water quality can diminish."

Goldfish have the capability to grow alongside their environment. If you put a goldfish in a bigger tank, it could grow bigger than what many people consider itstypical size to be.

"They have the capability of getting well up into several pounds. I think I've even seen a goldfish up to about 16inches," Fischer said.

While goldfish are often eaten by native fish, because they're gold, they can pose a threat and become an invasive specieswhen there aren't enough predators to take them down.

But the threat of giant goldfish is just one of an array of problems that can come with dumping out an aquarium into a public body of water, Fischer said.

"When people dump aquariums, they can introduce diseases, they can introduce aquarium plants that can thrive and change the habitat of the lake they're put in, or other fish," Fischer said.

If you can't take care of your fish anymore, there are options for humane fish euthanasia, Fischer said.There are also resources available to fish owners looking to give their fish away.

"A lot of aquarium clubs and mom-and-pop type pet storeswill even take back a lot of fish species and pets ... And they can either rehome them or make sure that they don't get dumped into public waters."

So, what's the moral of the story? Don't dump your goldfish in the lake, lest they become massive and an invasive species.

"What I want people to know is they shouldn't be dumping aquariums and they shouldn't be introducing things because they can introduce species that can become invasive," Fischer said.

Contact IndyStar Pulliam Fellow Claire Rafford at crafford@gannett.com or on Twitter @clairerafford

More:

Yes, Indiana has had giant goldfish and they can be harmful - IndyStar

LUMBERTON The Robeson County Animal Shelter euthanized the lowest number of dogs and cats in 2020 since 2010, according to animal shelter reports from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

In 2010, the shelter took in a total of 4,515 animals and euthanized 2,073, which is about 46% of that population, according to shelter reports. In 2020, the shelter took in 4,530 and euthanized 2,526, about 56% of that population.

Though the rate of euthanasia is still the highest in the state, there were 1,559 fewer animals put to death in Robeson County in 2020 than the previous year. And the animals euthanized in 2020 accounted for 56% of the total population, while animals put down in 2019 accounted for 77%.

There were multiple factors that contributed to the decrease of euthanasia procedures at the shelter in 2020, including COVID-19, according to Bill Smith, director of the Robeson County Department of Public Health, which manages the shelter.

The pandemic caused less interaction with people and non-restrained dogs and cats, he said. That decrease in interaction led to fewer calls.

Additionally, we were short animal control staff, so many nuisance calls were bumped by more important calls, Smith said.

The shelters capacity and intake during that time also contributed, he said.

Animals are euthanized due to space needs or for preventing the spread of disease. As there is a finite number of pens that can have animals rotated through, which is a part of our permit, we have to stay below that number, Smith said. We did not have the endless crush of animals in the summer that stretched our capacity.

Rescue groups are contacted continuously, but the total number of rescues the shelter works with has remained about the same, Smith said. Most of the rescues are located beyond the county.

The shelter works with about 10 rescue organizations, according to Shelter Director Jason Allison.

Though numbers show small progress, there is still so much more progress to be made.

Allison said shelter workers are doing the best they can. He hopes to continue the downward trend of euthanasia procedures at the shelter by seeing more adoptions by prospective pet owners.

I would really love to see adoption numbers go up, he said. Id like to see that more as opposed to relying on the rescues.

Allison said hed like to see more prospective owners come in, connect with the animals and provide them with a happy, healthy home life.

The shelter director said he knows what thats like.

I have three shelter dogs. Theyre the best dogs ever, Allison said.

Members of the public can also find spay and neuter programs to control the animal population, he said. For more information about the N.C. Spay and Neuter Program, visit https://www.ncagr.gov/vet/aws/fix/index.htm.

Be responsible, Allison said.

Local animal rescues, like Saving Grace Dog Rescue Robeson County, hope their work continues to save animals from euthanasia this year. The dog rescue, which began operation in Lumberton in March, is an extension of the Wake Forest-based Saving Grace Animals for Adoption that has worked with the Robeson County shelter for about 10 years.

The Lumberton location has rescued more than 250 dogs in Robeson County since March and a total of about 500 this year, according to Molly Goldston, CEO and founder of of the Wake Forest and Lumberton rescue operations.

The reason we decided to open here is to impact those numbers. When we are able to take the animals before they get to the shelter it is helping their numbers as well, said Samantha Bennett, director at the Robeson County location.

Goldston said the organization has been rescuing 1,000 dogs from the county each year. All rescues are then spayed or neutered.

We have built our foster program in Raleigh to accommodate the overwhelming numbers of unwanted animals from Robeson, but we need more local help to have even greater numbers, Goldston said.

It will take partnerships and collaboration with other animal welfare groups to affect euthanasia numbers in the future, Bennett said.

Only by all of us in rescue and animal control services working together will we ever get a handle on this. The euthanasia rates will also substantially decrease when there are more diverse low-cost spay/neuter programs, which we intend to implement, Bennett said.

John Graves, a representative of Best Friends Animal Society, spoke Monday to Robeson County commissioners and said the organization is working with local animal rescues and community partners to help decrease euthanasia at the shelter. He also said he was working to contact shelter representatives.

We have been working here in Robeson for about two years, mainly in support of different rescue partners, Graves said.

The nonprofit organization based in Kanab, Utah, wants to eliminate euthanasia, Graves said. Some of the reduction in Robeson County euthanasia numbers was from work with community partners.

So far, this year weve invested around $103,000 into different community partners to get animals out of the shelter and to bring different resources to the community, he said.

Best Friends Animal Society is looking at bringing more low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination programs to pet owners in the county, which is a high priority because of its euthanasia statistics.

We know that, you know, your shelter and no shelter wants to euthanize, Graves told the commissioners.

So what we are looking (at) also is to connect more directly with leaders across Robeson County so that we can maximize our effort and our impact so that way were reaching people that have the greatest need. Thats what were here for, Graves said.

For more information about adopting shelter pets, or to get involved, call the county animal shelter at 910-865-2200 or email [emailprotected]

Reach Jessica Horne at 910-416-5165 or via email at [emailprotected]

Read more:

County animal shelter sees decrease in number of euthanasia procedures - The Robesonian

Euthanasia is now set to become legal after the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill passed South Australian Parliament.

Here's a look at how it will work.

It has been a long time in the making with 17 attempts over 26 years.

The state is the fourth in Australia to do so, following Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania.

South Australia's Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill is modelled off Victoria's law, which hasbeen in place for two years now.

ABC News: Sarah Mullins

It has been described as among the most conservative in the world and includes some 70 safeguards.

The South Australian government expects it will take about 18 months for the new voluntary assisted dying laws to comeinto force.

Once that happens, eligible South Australians will be allowed to get medical assistance to end their life.

The voluntary assisted dying process starts with a doctor's visit when a patient first asks for medical help to die.

At that point, any doctor or nurse who does not want to be a part of voluntary assisted dying can choose to opt out of the process.

Christian MartA-nez Kempin

If the doctor is on board, he or she will need to check the patient is eligible.

They must be 18 years or over, an Australian citizen and have lived in South Australia for at least a year.

They must not have been coercedand, critically, they must have a medical condition that is incurable andcausing intolerable suffering.

The terminal illness must be likely to cause their death within six months, for some conditions the length of time is12 months.

It's up to the doctor to assess the patient's overall condition and, importantly, their ability to make sound decisions.

When terminally ill teenager Rhys Habermann deliveredhis final message four years ago, hisaimwas to protecthis parents from the risk of prosecution.

The pair must also have a lengthy conversation about the alternatives and risks of carrying out voluntary assisted dying.

If the doctor is satisfied, the patient is then referred to another doctor for a second opinion.

The second doctor repeats all of the questions and assessments, essentially cross-checking the work of the first.

If they agree, this is then ticked off by the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board, which will oversee all cases throughout the process from start to finish.

The patient then signs a formal declaration in front of the doctor, two witnesses and a contact person.

The final request to die must happen at least ninedays after the patient's first request.

The head of the state health department will ultimately issue the permit, which allows the doctor to write a script for special drugs.

A pharmacist delivers the drugs in a locked box to either the patient or the doctor, depending on who isadministering the medication.

Ultimately, it's left to the patient to make the final decision on when or whether they use it.

The rest is here:

How will South Australia's new voluntary assisted dying legislation work? And when will it come into force? - ABC News

LAFAYETTE Just last week the Lafayette Animal Shelter had to put down three animals due to the massive intake they received of people surrendering pets, leaving many in the community wondering why they are labeled as a no-kill shelter if animals are being euthanized.

Jeanine Foucher, the executive director of Acadiana Animal Aid, which works closely with the shelter, tells us that the shelter is not one hundred percent no-kill, they have to maintain a ninety percent live outcome to sustain that status. Meaning, ninety percent of the animals that they take in must make it out of the shelter.

Last week's euthanasias were a result of 61 animals being surrendered, which was more than what the shelter could house. At that point, when the kennels are full, the shelter is only left with a few options. To adopt all of them out, transport them across the country, or consider euthanasia for the animals that are sick or that have behavior problems.

Foucher believes that the massive intake is due to the community not fully understanding what "no-kill" status means and all that it takes to sustain it.

"What happens very often is when a shelter initially hits that benchmark and they want to celebrate that they are a no-kill shelter, they want to share that exciting information with the rest of the community," says Foucher. "But people automatically think that they can bring whatever animal they want to the shelter."

According to the shelter, in 2014 they euthanized 2,800. This year they are on track to get that number under 300, but they can't do that without the help from the community.

"Sustaining a no-kill community takes a community," says Foucher. "It takes the animal shelter, it takes the rescue organizations, it takes the low-cost spay and neutering providers, and it takes the public. Every single one of us participates in the process of sustaining no-kill."

Foucher says that there are many ways that people can help out, including assisting in re-homing strays, helping to locate lost pet's homes by placing flyers, and spaying and neutering your pets.

"Just seeing the sheer number of animals that are entering the shelter system, the access to low-cost spaying and neutering is imperative," she says. "That really would stop or slow down the number of animals entering into the shelter."

As always, the Lafayette Animal Shelter welcomes volunteers and fosters.

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Lafayette Animal Shelter explains what it means to be "no-kill" and how to maintain that status - KATC Lafayette News

RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond Animal Care and Control wasn't able to save an injured dog found on the side of the road Tuesday.

Video of the senior golden retriever mix, affectionately named Susie, sparked outrage on social media after RACC indicated they believed she may have been dumped. They said she was wrapped in a bandage with no chip or collar.

"When they got there, they found that she was down, unable to stand, unable to walk, unable to do anything except lift her head up a little bit," said Animal Control Supervisor, Robert Leinberger.

Leinberger said he believed shed been laying in a hot, damp grassy area near Afton Avenue and Lynhaven Avenue for almost 24 hours before a concerned citizen called animal control.

"Its very sad because this animal needed help, and unfortunately, the help came a little too late," said Leinberger. "Maybe if we had known about it 24 hours prior to, there mightve been a better intervention."

Once officers got her to an emergency vet, Leinberger said they realized she couldn't be saved.

"They removed the bandage and then it was, wow this was really bad," Leinberger said. "Its horrifying because you know that animal needs help, but at the same time, that help is going to come in the form of euthanasia. Its the last means of help we can give, so this animal is no longer suffering."

RACC said in a Facebook post that under the bandage were multiple necrotic wounds -- and that Susie was becoming septic.

"We hugged her close and said goodbye," RACC said in their post.

That post on Richmond Animal Care and Controls Facebook was racking up more than 500 shares and hundreds of comments. People responded with both anger and heartbreak.

"Thank you for making sure she died in a loving environment rather than out there all alone," said Katherine Strassel.

Sarah Carey, who worked for Virginia Veterinary Centers, said she was with Susie in her last moments.

"She was the sweetest and we shared some yummy treats and McDonald's fries before she peacefully went to the long sleep," said Carey. "She was warm, comfy and had a full tummy and love."

Others called for justice.

"Heartbreaking. I hope the owners are found and brought to justice. Unforgivable," said Ginny Reynolds.

While the Facebook post from RACC indicated that abandonment was believed to be the case, Leinberger said it was something they're working to determine and that they understand that accidents do happen.

"We do have, from time to time, older dogs wander away and they dont know how to get back," Leinberger said.

He added that if abandonment should never be an option as there were many things a pet owner could do if they can no longer take care of their animal, such as reaching out to RACC.

"Thats the worst thing you can possibly do is to dump the dog," said Leinberger.

Either way, he said RACC was asking the owner to reach out.

"Because we don't want this to happen again. If this is the method that an individual thinks is the way to get rid of a dog, it's the wrong way. If a pet truly got away, well address that too."

Leinberger said if it was determined the dog was dumped, that owner could face criminal charges.

RACC asked anyone who saw anything or recognized the dog to call them at 804-646-5573.

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Injured dog euthanized after possible dumping: 'This animal needed help' - wtvr.com

The moon climbed over Bald Mountain late Tuesday night, creating a silhouette of pines. Ursa Major and nearby Ursa Minor shone through a thin film of cloud cover.

Even with the light from the moonsupplemented by a headlampI could barely make out the road in front of me.

Then, a snap of branches. Halfway up the hillside, a few yards to the left, a dark shadow reared up from behind a small cluster of aspens and growled.

In less than a second, the shape materialized into a 350-pound black bear, barreling straight toward me, bellowing and huffing and hissing with the vocal fortitude that Id only ever associated with Hollywood movies.

I turned and ran for the nearest porch. Every bear-safety tip Ive preached in previous articlesstand your ground, make yourself large, dont runflew by the wayside. So did the bear spray Id looped to my belt before heading out.

Between fight or flight, I picked option two.

Between fight or flight, I picked option two.

So, I ran, back facing the bear, and she bounded after me across the road. It was only when I yelled for helppressed against the neighbors front doorthat I heard her stop short behind me, woofing, and retreat back into the night.

There was the sound of splintering bark as she ascended the pine tree across the driveway. Then, a prolonged silence, and after another minute went by, the dull thud of a garbage can tipping over a few houses down.

The next morning, dozens of garbage cans lay toppled along Bald Mountain Road and Irene Street. Raw chicken, butter, torn-open bags of almonds and produce spilled into the road.

As it turns out, the large sow I encounteredestimated to be on the older side, around 10 years oldhas been on the Idaho Department of Fish and Games radar for more than a year. Last August, the agency reported that she had been pawing through garbage cans along Irene Street and teaching her cub to do the same. The sow, estimated by Fish and Game to weigh 400 pounds at the time, was repeatedly hazed with rubber slugs. Euthanasia was proposed.

If garbage continues to be left out, and these bears are repeatedly rewarded with human-provided food, the department may find it necessary to euthanize both bears if they become a threat to public safety, Fish and Game stated at the time.

Most bears will change their behavior after painful stimulus, like rubber slugs, according to department spokesman Terry Thompson. But this animalcurrently on her own after weaning her cub last winterhas not. She now considers Warm Springs neighborhoods her turf and residents trash cans her property, Thompson said.

Why worry about foraging for insects and berries when you can walk away with, say, 30,000 calories in one night?

Terry Thompson

He noted that when a bear finds a steady food supply, it will often become aggressive toward anything that gets in the way of its almost singular goal of packing on the pounds for next winter.

Bears can get very territorial once theyve secured a reliable food source, he said. Its not uncommon that they will do everything they can to protect and defend that resource.

My incident was a classic example.

You have a bear defending its food source, and then you add in a surprise encounter that exacerbates the situation, Thompson said.

According to a study of over 675 bear attacks by Tom Smith and Stephen Herreropublished by The Wildlife Society in 2018most incidents in which bears charged at people occurred when humans and bears confronted each other at close range, within 10 yards or less, and in low-visibility conditions.

The poorer the visibility, the more likely bears were to engage with people, presumably because of an inability to detect them until very close, the pair wrote.

Euthanasia not favored

A black bears natural summertime diet consists almost entirely of mushrooms, berries, nuts, fruits, grasses and roots, with protein sourced from insects and deer and elk carcasses, according to Fish and Game. As opportunistic scavengers with a sense of smell measured in miles, bears will go for the biggest bang for their buck. It so happens that residential garbage cans are caloric jackpots, Thompson said.

Why worry about foraging for insects and berries and eating enough grass when you can walk away with, say, 30,000 calories in one night, hitting 15 [garbage] cans at 2,000 calories per can? he asked. If you have the choice, youre going to pick the garbage cans every time.

Black bears seldom attack people and are shy by nature, Fish and Game Regional Biologist Sierra Robatcek told me. That said, human-bear conflicts are on the rise due to the severe drought affecting the West. Essentially, a shortage of water and normal food sources, like roots and berries, have caused bears to find sustenance in residential communities and grow bolder.

On April 30 this year, a 39-year-old woman was killed by a black bear near Durango, Colo. One month later, on May 30, a man in Steamboat Springs, Colo., sustained serious injuries after a bear broke into his home and attacked him.

The bear in question overturned multiple trash cans left out overnight on Bald Mountain Road on Thursday, Fish and Game said.

The drought has led other prey into the Wood River Valleydeer and elk, too, Conservation Officer Cody Smith added. Animals are congregating here, bringing predators in.

On Wednesday, conservation officers went to go door-to-door in my Warm Springs neighborhood, refreshing residents on how to live responsibly with black bears. Several homeowners told stories of their own run-ins with the sow this week. She had strolled past someones hot tub on Monday, for example, undeterred by its occupants. In another run-in, she sat across from a resident fly fishing Warm Springs Creek in hopes of a handout. A third resident, a recent transplant, said they were unaware that Ketchum had a bear population.

One common theme was that mostly everyone was aware of [the bear], but no one wanted to call Fish and Game because they feared [euthanasia], Senior Conservation Officer Brandyn Hurd told me.

Euthanizing an aggressive bear is always a solemn undertaking, Cody Smith explained. Every time Fish and Game has to take that action, its not just the bear that loseseveryone loses a bit of the wildness that Wood River Valley residents pride themselves on.

We would absolutely love to not have to euthanize a bear. We dont want to do this, he said. Scientific studies have shown that [relocation] does not work, though, and food-conditioned bears return in 80% of cases. If they dont, they become someone elses problem.

Under law, Fish and Game has a duty to reduce or mitigate property damage and protect public safety. Last summer, the agency euthanized a male black bear out East Fork that had destroyed several thousand dollars worth of beehives. Unsecured trash, birdseed and other attractants had continued to lure the boar back to the neighborhood and strip away its natural fear of humans.

Euthanasia is our officers least favorite part of the job, Thompson said. They take no pleasure or joy in having to euthanize any animal. It frustrates me when I hear people saying that all we do is kill everything, when we are here to care for the resource. Otherwise we wouldnt be in this line of work.

We would absolutely love to not have to euthanize a bear. We dont want to do this."Cody Smith

On Wednesday, officers set a barrel trapa live culvert trap baited with donuts, syrup and vanilla extractin Warm Springs. Once captured, the sow will be driven out of town on the back of a Fish and Game patrol car and killed.

Thompson said he hopes the bears death will not be in vain, and that Ketchum officials can brainstorm ways to better manage residential household garbageparticularly given the uninformed Airbnb renters that frequent the area.

The reality, he said, is that problem bears are not a bear problem, but a human problem, and keeping bears wild requires a communitywide, all-in-or-nobody-in approach. He added that a newly formed group called the Wildlife Smart Community Coalition is working with Clear Creek Disposal to see if certain areas, like Warm Springs, could transition to bear-resistant garbage cans.

But this problem could be solved very easily [without the transition] by just changing human behavior, Thompson said. Its not rocket science.

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