The Teamsters union is on strike at the THS - not for more money, they say, but (among other things) because the union claims management is "not working for the benefit of animals." The Teamster website (savetheths.com) asks why THS euthanasia rates are low?

"Is it because animals never get sick enough to warrant humane euthanasia, or is it because they are left to die rather than end their suffering?"

The OSPCA has picked up this theme and last Nov. 2 chief inspector Mike Draper wrote Tim Trow, president of the THS, and admitted "a private
investigation firm" was hired to "obtain statements from a number of (THS) employees."

Accusations that Draper found credible included cats and dogs not being properly fed or watered, veterinarians not properly looking after cats, adoptions going to people "financially unable to care for them," and management prolonging suffering by refusing to euthanize animals.

And so on.

Criminal charges were threatened. For the record, the THS has dramatically reduced the kill rate of animals (50% lower than in 2000), and Trow insists it's the society's veterinarians who decide whether a sick or injured animal can be saved. If so, he won't kill them.

The Toronto Animal Control (TAC), financed by the city, is in the business of "controlling" (killing) rather than "saving" animals.

With 50% more animals admitted by the THS than by TAC, last year the THS adopted out 75% of the total, while euthanizing 9%. TAC adopted out 25%, euthanizing 51%.

In the OSPCA's "investigation," Trow wonders why it didn't question its own inspectors who work inside the THS, and know what's going on. Much information seems to have come from striking Teamsters. When Trow urged OSPCA management to tour the THS facility, they refused.

Trow feels the Teamsters resent volunteers who help with animals, and that the union wants full control of them. Apparently, the union can file a grievance if anyone other than a union person provides, say, water for a thirsty dog. Or if a technician rather than a union person holds a cat getting an injection.

The union's website outlines many complaints, with an implication being that by not killing more animals, the THS is being cruel, and making working conditions harder for union members.