It’s been big news for disease outbreaks at shelters in the last week. Miami Dade Animal Services shut down all services temporarily after a distemper outbreak was announced (finally, given that the signs of an outbreak were obvious for months), and the Memphis Animal Shelter reportedly killed “all adoptable dogs” due to a similar outbreak.
If you’ve read about the Memphis Shelter in recent news, undoubtedly you’ve heard about their many shortcomings (documented via public webcams, and reported on by Yes Biscuit!).
It’s heartbreaking to see the horrific neglect happening there – and the needless deaths of these poor dogs. I hope Memphis citizens will continue to work for a change in shelter leadership and policies – because nothing short of that (not even a new shelter facility) will change current conditions or kill rates.
In Miami, on a happier note, more than 383 animals (working on updated numbers) have been rescued from Miami Dade Animal Services since the distemper outbreak was announced on the 24th. Animal lovers, rescuers, advocates and groups have banded together to save the lives of these innocent animals. They’ve worked tirelessly to pull, waited for hours at the facility, found foster homes for many pets, shuttled dogs to vets and everything else you could think of that’s required in a crisis like this. Personally, I’m extremely proud of our South Florida community. This is indisputable proof that we have several elements of the No Kill Equation down pat (as community participation/volunteering/fosters are absolutely crucial), and that’s a biggie. If given the chance, there’s no doubt that Miami Dade can become a No Kill Community – we just need a shelter leader who’s willing to try.
There are still some dogs in need of rescue at the shelter, so please take a look and see if you’re able to help any! There’s also a Chip In for funds to support these many animals, so please donate and share if you’re able.
Undoubtedly Memphis citizens would have come together in the same way to save the animals affected by the outbreak at their shelter, had they been given the chance by Memphis Animal Services. Instead, no one was told until after all the animals were dead. What a disgrace.
Since the new director Matthew Pepper took over Memphis Shelter last year, he implemented a new policy of only 25 dogs are allowed by public to see or adopt on any given day! The other 200 dog “strays” are behind closed and locked doors where they essentially go to euthanasia room with no chance of ever being seen. It is heartbreaking and an unspeakable tragedy. It has been addressed over and over at advisory meetings by the board & public, communication to City, etc. but they refuse to change the policy. Unbelievable.
That truly is unbelievable … hopefully the recent news coverage will at least help to get the word out to citizens about what’s really happening there. Public awareness is always to our advantage when it comes to the No Kill movement. If public impetus gets strong enough, the politicians will have no choice but to listen! Please keep us posted on local happenings in Memphis regarding this shelter and its policies!
I hate when people will post an out and out lie about the shelter. If the people that went to those advisory board meetings would come to the shelter and help with the animals at the shelter instead of getting on the internet and spreading lies it would be a much better place.
Matthew Pepper does not allow the general public to just walk thru the stray area any longer unless they are accompanied by a shelter worker or volunteer. This is for the safety of the general public as the dogs in the stray area are there being held as they were picked up by one of the control officers. That is not the same as saying that he does not let the public back to see the strays. The strays there are not able to be adopted anyway if they are in the stray area as their quarantined time is not up. If someone comes in looking for a lost dog they are taken back to look for their dog by a volunteer or shelter worker. Once the dog is available for adoption it is put in the adoption area that is open for the public to view.
Hi Linda,
Thanks for chiming in – I always appreciate people with first hand experience at the shelters in question speaking up.
May I ask – does the shelter let the public know that the stray area is an option for them in terms of viewing? Also, are all pets from the stray floor automatically moved to the adoption floor when their quarantine time is up, or what’s the process for these animals? The problem with the “back rooms” of many shelters is that often the public is not aware these areas exist, and many of the animals stay there until they’re moved directly to the kill room – so they have little to no chance at being adopted or rescued. Additionally, you mentioned that this process is for public safety – have these dogs been evaluated at all by staff? Are they not evaluated on intake to determine whether they pose any risk or hazard? I’d like to hear your thoughts on the above at the Memphis shelter.
Thanks!
If the Memphis shelter is a city owned shelter, it is actualy owned by the taxpayers and they should do the will of the taxpayer, not their own will. Concerned Citizen should organize his fellow taxpayers and make their voices heard as loud as possible. Call radio and TV stations, write newspapers, and Letters to the Editors, let the people know what is happening. The people have the RIGHT to know.
Linda, since when is the truth important? Rumors spread with a Facebook gang mentality is much more like reality TV.
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