PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Implement the No Kill Equation at Metro Louisville Animal Services
  1. Signatures
    1,025 out of 1,500
    Petitioning
    1. Mayor, Louisville, KY (+ 1 other)
      Petitioning
      close
      • Mayor, Louisville, KY (Greg Fischer)
      • Council member, Louisville, KY (Kelly Downard)
  2. Created By
    Amy Rock
    Louisville, KY
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

 

 

Last fall, the Council voted to endorse the goal of transforming Louisville Metro Animal Services into a No Kill shelter. Since then, adoptable and treatable animals have continued to suffer and die, while concerned citizens are told that “we are working hard to turn things around at LMAS and we will consider all options.” We do not want you to “consider all options.” We want you to make the changes that are proven to work, without any more delay: 

▪  Hire a director with the qualifications to achieve the No Kill goal endorsed by the Council, prioritizing commitment to No Kill and successful leadership/management experience over shelter experience.

▪  Comprehensively implement the No Kill Equation

▪  Comply and adhere to shelter sanitation standards (e.g., those of the ASPCA).

These are the actions that have been proven to lead to achievement of the "no kill" goal. Everywhere the No Kill Equation, including hiring a "compassionate director," has been comprehensively implemented, it has produced the results we are seeking. This is the case most recently in Austin, Texas, which has an intake rate similar to that of Louisville. No Kill is an achievable goal, and we are asking you to take the steps necessary to achieve it.

 

 

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Hire a No-Kill Director and Implement the No Kill Equation at Louisville Metro Animal Services

Dear Mayor Fischer and Metro Council Members:

Last fall, the Council voted to endorse the goal of transforming Louisville Metro Animal Services into a No Kill shelter. Since then, LMAS has not improved, and adoptable and treatable animals continue to suffer and die, while concerned citizens are told that “we are working hard to turn things around at LMAS and we will consider all options.” We do not want you to “consider all options.” We want you to make the changes that are proven to work: 


1. Hire a director with the qualifications to achieve the No Kill goal endorsed by the Council, prioritizing commitment to No Kill and successful leadership/management experience over shelter experience.

2. Comprehensively implement the No Kill Equation

3. Comply and adhere to shelter sanitation standards (e.g., those of the ASPCA). 



The actions so far have been steps in the wrong direction; for example, a no-bid contract with Kentucky Humane Society, which opposes no-kill and does not even save 80% of the limited number of animals it takes in. We have been saddened, appalled, and outraged by the continued killing of animals with rescues available (including the two two-week old kittens that were killed when they had foster homes waiting), the end of adoption standards for most animals with resulting adoption to people with a history of relinquishing animals, conditions that allow animals to kill each other, the consistent gross mismanagement of LMAS as well as the hostile environment toward employees who seek positive change. Employees and volunteers alike fear retribution if they speak out about conditions and practices at LMAS. A climate of hostility and fear is counterproductive if the goal is to save every adoptable and treatable animal, as the Council endorsed.



We are appealing to you, Mayor Fischer, and to the Council to honor the Council's endorsement of the No Kill goal. By implementing the No Kill Equation we seek to improve the quality of our shelter and outcomes for animals, and to improve Louisville's image so that it truly is the "world class city" it seeks to be.

[Your name]

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