Facebook Group Demands OSPCA Give Account Of Remaining Animals

Newmarket, Ont. (June 3, 2010) – With mounting concern, the now 37,000 member strong Facebook group “Stop the Slaughter of over 350 Animals at the Newmarket OSPCA”, is demanding the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) account publicly for animals in its care.

May 10th the OSPCA announced its York Region shelter, housed in the same building as its high volume Spay Neuter clinic and provincial headquarters would be, “indefinitely closed to the public” due to a “virulent ringworm epidemic”.

May 12th the OSPCA confirmed 350 animals and six people were suffering from ringworm. Mass euthanasia (of the animals) commenced. The following day, the OSPCA confirmed euthanasia had been halted. 99 animals were dead. Subsequently the OSPCA was forced to admit to having euthanized 3 additional animals, dogs that had been previously deemed adoptable.

Ongoing daily protests outside the shelter and the efforts of MPP Frank Klees are credited with successfully halting the OSPCA’s plans to slaughter 350 animals.

OSPCA media releases state:

· 99 animals have been “humanely euthanized” due to ringworm.

· 3 dogs have been “humanely euthanized” as they “pose a physical threat to other animals and people”.

· 23 dogs have been temporarily relocated “up to a month” for “further testing”.

· 91 cats have been temporarily relocated “up to a month” for “further testing”.

· 15 animals “have been stolen”.

· 15 animals “not affected by the outbreak are in isolation in a portable structure on the site”.

· 96 animals have been “fostered out to other accredited agencies, clinics, shelters and institutions capable of caring for them in isolation from other animals”.

Section 14.2 of the Ontario SPCA Act states animals may be destroyed by the OSPCA if a veterinarian has advised in writing that the destruction of the animal “is the most humane course of action”. Provincial Chair Rob Godfrey would have the public believe “by law the OSPCA is not allowed to interfere with veterinary decisions”.

Following the confirmed theft of Ketamine and T61 from the OSPCA’s Perth branch, members of the public question senior management’s reluctance to accept responsibility for the actions of the OSPCA and OSPCA “humane euthanasia” protocols.

The Facebook group requests the following information from OSPCA Chair Rob Godfrey, CEO Kate MacDonald and COO Jim Sykes:

· A list of animals in the care of the York Region shelter on May 10, 2010 including the 8 animals heretofore unaccounted for by OSPCA media releases.

· Confirmation of the condition and prognosis for each surviving animal.

· An explanation of how the OSPCA came to euthanize 3 additional dogs.

· An update on the condition of 15 animals being held outside the building? What is the purpose of the blue tarp?

· OSPCA “humane euthanasia” protocols including narcotics information.

· OSPCA shelter protocols including the person responsible for enforcement.

· Name of the OSPCA’s self appointed “independent investigator”.

· Release of ringworm spore test results that would substantiate the OSPCA’s decision to euthanize350 animals and indefinitely close its shelter to the public.

· OSPCA biosecurity protocols protecting the community from ringworm. The OSPCA advised members of the public who suspect they may have come in contact with ringworm spores at its shelter, to call their doctors prior to visiting to ensure proper protocols are followed.

· OSPCA biosecurity protocols for its hi volume spay/neuter clinic. The clinic continues to operate within the building. An OSPCA fact sheet confirms direct contact with mold spores can cause ringworm in animals and humans and that infective spores live on all surfaces including soil for a lengthy period of time.

· When does the OSPCA plan to re-open its York Region shelter?

Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees has repeatedly called for an independent investigation of the OSPCA and is calling on the government to make the necessary legislative reforms to enact effective provincial oversight over the OSPCA and to make clear the separation of the inspection and enforcement powers of the OSPCA from its function as an animal shelter charity. The following resolution was tabled in the Ontario Legislature on June 1st.

“That, in the opinion of this House, the Ontario Legislature call on the Government of Ontario to review the powers and authority granted to the OSPCA under the OSPCA Act and to make the necessary legislative changes to bring those powers under the authority of the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services to ensure that there is a clearly defined and effective provincial oversight of all animal shelter services in the province, and to separate the inspection and enforcement powers of the OSPCA from its functions as a charity providing animal shelter services.”

Those in support of OSPCA accountability can download a Legislative Petition to send to their MPP at www.frankklees.com or on Facebook at “STOP THE SLAUGHTER OF OVER 350 ANIMALS AT THE NEWMARKET OSPCA! A list of MPPs who support an independent investigation and provincial oversight of the OSPCA also appears on the Facebook page.

Contact Information - Deborah @ 905 487 5917