We cannot THANK YOU enough! Due to social media traction and support, the City met with us yesterday (we will release some new documentation tomorrow with that update). Because of the Meeting we were able to make the 10 o'clock local NBC News tonight. What happens tomorrow, is up to YOU. 

Here are some points in response to the segment. 

1) That "At least 5 dogs" were euthanized (ironically and) in pain is a generous understatement considering the email chain we received from the City in our meeting discussed whether or not the drugs were ineffective between 12/28 - 4/11. Twenty Seven euthanasias were logged within the potential "faulty" drug period. They say "at least 5" because the ONLY ACO who was willing to respond only lists the 5 from that bottle; which he is AGAIN requesting be replaced. The City doesn't know how many of these euthanasias were inhumane and horrific, because they have not yet investigated - which is what we are advocating for.

Mesquite deserves and is owed an OFFICIAL Investigation; so that the City has direct access to all files and communications. Which we would assume they would want too. Especially since we have ACOs claiming that these issues began months prior to the email documentation. That these emails were a desperate response of frustration in lack of progress towards this resolution. In the emails, an ACO confirms the 5 cases they are referencing; but he also states "my first bottle I was issued before this one I was having the same issue as this" - "Other officers have used their bottles and have had the same issue with the drugs." That is verbatim.Transcribed directly from his email on April 6th (which is 3 1/2 months after the first email of concern and written request for review).

2) "We wouldn't call it an outbreak we've observed a few dogs that have come in and been adopted showing signs of parvo," Keheley said. 
So, what would they call an outbreak?

• Bonnie the Dobbie (shown in segment) was brought into the shelter visibly ill and allowed to be taken home by her finder, without stray hold. It is important to note that Rescue Partners are not allowed to perform virtual holds in Mesquite. Later that day, Bonnie was turned away from a horrified mobile clinic with obvious end stage symptoms of Parvo. She was returned to the shelter only to be hidden in the back with a 15 minute deadline and only two people texted for networking. HOME Rescue rushed Bonnie to an astounded vet who claimed this was the fastest positive they had ever seen. She died 3hrs later. And what a pity for the pitty parvo puppy that was automatically euthanized. This is especially tragic since clearly 15 minutes is sometimes enough to atleast get to the vet and try (if they work with their Rescues). The 4 other rescue pulls this week that are Parvo positive just add more confirmation but don't even estimate the extent of the infection. The potential of contamination currently in Mesquite is ---- (insert personal level of alarm adjective).

3) This 90% Save Rate they are touting is convoluted, misleading and not even potentially accurate. During a Rescue meeting at the Shelter a few months ago, we stuttered for ages trying to comprehend the metrics the shelter goes by and how any of it actually makes sense. In fact, its some magical formula of averages. So Sugar (whose EU Open Records Request are being appealed all the way to the Attorney General) came into the Shelter in March, was adopted in May (possibly the end of April - I was out of the Country and am not 100%) was returned in May and Killed for Space in Jue. Killed with 2 Open Kennels, Me outside working her with staff knowledge, 3 Tagged Dogs on "Option to Adopt" Hold even though the Shelter was closed and still they killed 4 dogs. So Sugar was potentially 2 Saves, 1 Live Release (Adoption), and 1 Euthanasia. But they'll divide it by some decimals, so it works. We're just not smart enough to understand how.

But to that point, 2018 and 2019 (until recently) were INCREDIBLE for Rescue Partnerships and Adoptions. It was a team effort and we really need the City to understand that, so that an exodus vacuum doesn't suck the literal life out of Mesquite. If Rescues can't trust that MAS won't euthanize dogs they've quite literally already tagged. If we can't count on the reported health of the animal. If the public is afraid of adopting fatally contagious animals. Then where do these animals go?

The current Rescue Partnership has a literal gag order stating that anyone who says or posts "disruptive" comments about the Shelter can lose access and privileges and then the shelter loses the ability to save lives. PRIOR RESTRAINT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. Rescues are afraid to testify with truth and choosing to divide; but there is no conquering in that. We MUST advocate FOR our Shelter. And Advocacy is contingent upon Accountability. That means holding everyone involved accountable. Because we all make mistakes. But the mistake we cannot afford to make, is not being willing to own, admit, and rectify our mistakes. We must support the City and the Shelter in opening an Official Investigation, gaining access to whatever resources that are not within their budget etc. Rescues have offered to donate sedation, various supplies, custom app integration, data, process and quality analysis. Basically they said "we need this, can you institute it, we'll cover it". SOME of these requests are URGENT, and because they are quite literally life or death, we must be clear with timelines and make sure that the progress promised is timely and genuine.

We will lose lives while these changes are made. What matters is in how many we lose while waiting and how many we can save as a result of these standards. Let's be clear, killing for space is not euthanasia but it is an unfortunate reality here. Still, every single life matters and every one of them deserves our absolute commitment until it's too late. And if that time comes, they (and the ACOs who take this upon themselves) deserve for that transition to be as HUMANE as humanly possible.

Please join us. The streets are calling most of us back to field work with all the newly born homeless. We need our Shelters to be self sustainable, or that 90% save rate will be gone before any of us actually figure out what it meant.

In the interim, you can view and help save the Cats of MAS and Dogs of MAS on Facebook.