Apple Valley Director admits to running a shit show. Just remember as you read this, this is a Director of Animal Services who doesn't tell community members if dogs and cats were killed or adopted when potential adopters call, tells rescues they don't want their help, and secretly kills large numbers of animals EVEN when people want to adopt the dogs and cats they plan to kill. I know it makes no sense but don't take my word for it, just read the Director's comments she made today while out on medical leave. We must have Government oversight on this animal pound. Just read her insanity. Sounds guilty to me. What do you think?
A message from our Director:
I am currently out on medical leave but wanted to clear up a rumor.
“It has recently come to our attention that there is misinformation being distributed again about our facility’s euthanasia numbers and rates. We are being told that in June we euthanized ~400 dogs and that our average euthanasia rates are 60-80%.
Our euthanasia rate specifically for dogs in 2022 was 36%, with a total of 183 dogs euthanized during the month of June in 2022. For us, any percentage of euthanasia is unwanted. Sadly, a community-wide distemper outbreak which began to more heavily effect our shelter canine population started in December 2021 and continued throughout 2022, which negatively impacted our live release rates for the calendar year.
Illness/disease in an animal shelter originates in the community and is more easily spread in the confines of a shelter. All vaccination and cleaning procedures are implemented with the intent to eliminate or reduce the spread of illness. Unfortunately, unvaccinated animals are often spreading or exposed to illness prior to entering our facility. We do vaccinate at intake however those vaccines require time to develop an effective immune response. With a continual flow of dogs coming into the shelter we are unable to isolate every animal until those vaccines can provide adequate protection. We all must continue to educate animal owners regarding vaccination of their pets for preventable viruses that negatively impact community animals.
Spay/Neuter is mandatory for all animals leaving our shelter with special exceptions for Rescue Organizations. Our responsibility is to protect the health and safety of all the dogs in our shelter. Unfortunately, distemper in a shelter environment requires heartbreaking responses. Euthanasia is never the desired outcome.
It is our goal to be as honest and transparent as possible regarding our practices. Unfortunately, when misinformation is spread as fact the time it takes staff to respond to false accusations is time taken away from efforts to place and promote the animals in our care.”
Gina M. Whiteside
Director of Animal Services
Town of Apple Valley