Animal Advocates Watchdog

In Victoria there is a new group of animal welfarist to help the CRD pound be a humane pound

"Pounds should not take any surrendered dogs. Pounds must protect the public from dogs, or there would be roaming packs of dogs here as there are in many parts of the world. But pounds must combine that with the best dog welfare there is, because our society now wants that."

Pounds are responsible for dangerous dogs, stray dogs and in some municipalities due to existing (and I believe flawed bylaws), stray cats and other stray animals. These animals are often not in the best of condition and have minor ailments or injuries that needs attending to.

Stray animals are also, for the most part, not sterilized and, in my opinion, must be before they are adopted to a new home.

This is why in Victoria a spay/neuter society, a rescue/rehab society and a solid group of volunteers are working behind the scenes at the Capital Regional District pound in Victoria while at the same time respecting the serious side of the work that a pound must do.

Many beneficial changes for the animals have been made. These include:

1) a volunteer dog-walking program

2) a volunteer dog exercise program

3) a cat cuddling volunteer

4) Tellington Touch volunteer

5) Dog Trainers are beginning to volunteer

6)A solid fostering program has been developed over the past four years....focussing particularily on cats ( pregnant moms and orphan kittens) but recently this has expanded to include increased fostering of puppies and dogs who are adoptable but difficult to find proper homes for. (Dee's Orphan Kitten Fund generously provide invaluable assistance with the really young kittens.)

7)cat quilts have been hand-made and donated to provide comfort to caged cats.

8)new cat scratch posts have been donated to the cat adoption room as well as cat toys, cat grass and treats

9)the adoption cat room was recently re-decorated, and repainted by volunteers (far more cheery now, and adoptions are increasing)

10)palliative, vet-assisted, foster care is offered to old stray cats who find themselves impounded in their very senior years

11)palliative, vet-assisted, foster care is also offered to old stray dogs who find themselves impounded in their very senior years

12)rehabilitation is being offered to as many dogs as possible through the generous efforts of Chelco Farms Border Collie Rescue and Rehabilitation (This program is limited to dogs who with effort will be safe in the community. There is also limited space and criteria to be met.)

13)feral kitten program (This is also a limited program presently only rescuing those kittens who are young enough to adjust to being house pets.)

14)volunteer dog and cat grooming for the worst cases

15)Above ground dog beds are being built and donated along with hand-made dog quilts. These are to replace simple blankets.

16)All animals leaving the pound are being provided with access to spay/neuter funding through the generosity of Greater Victoria Animals' Crusaders.

17)Extra medical funding beyond absolutely necessary is also being provided by Greater Victoria Animals' Crusaders whenever possible.

18)Assistance with other medical funding has also been graciously provided by Victoria Cat Rescue Corps.

19)Citizen Canine have been continuously supportive by allowing animals in need to be posted on their website finding many needed foster homes. http://www.citizencanine.org/
20)A new website has been developed by a very dedicated and caring volunteer. This will be invaluable resource for stray and rescued animals in Victoria. http://www.victoriaadoptables.com/

These changes are all beneficial to the dogs and other animals involved but are volunteer driven and maintained and will remain so.

Municipal pounds simply do not have the funds or the staff to do this work and I encourage everyone who truly cares about the most vulnerable pets in their community to advocate for postive changes by getting involved. Enough people donating even one or two hours a week makes a tremendous difference to the dogs and other animals.

Messages In This Thread

Dangerous dogs: an intractable problem that can't be solved with good intentions no matter how well-meaning an agency is
Bull mastiffs to be killed by the Langley Animal Protection Society
Dog pounds that are better than old-fashioned dog jails should be honest
In Victoria there is a new group of animal welfarist to help the CRD pound be a humane pound
20 British Columbians have offered to rescue death-row pit bulls from Windsor, Ont
Why aren't these people rescuing Pit bulls on death row in SPCAs and pounds in BC?
Who kills the most Pit bulls in BC?
Everytime I frequent the Surrey SPCA there are ALWAYS pit bulls and pitty crosses, waiting, waiting...
Dr Moe Milstein on dangerous dogs

Share