OC Commissioners to Introduce “No Kill” Resolutions for Shelter
(Crystal A. Proxmire, April 15, 2013)
After months of organized public outcry, the Oakland County Commission could vote Wednesday on three resolutions to make Oakland County Pet Adoption Center more accountable to the animals they serve, including instituting a “no kill” police. The resolutions being brought forward by Commissioners Marcia Gershenson (District 13) and Dave Woodward (District 19) are in response to the concerns raised by Oakland County Pet Advocates.
Currently 10 counties across Michigan have a “no kill” policy and a track record of saving over 90% of the animals who come into their care. As stated in the resolution, “no kill” refers to a policy where “the euthanasia of cats and dogs is solely reserved for the true meaning of the word, ‘an act of mercy’ for those too ill or vicious to be rehabilitated and all healthy and treatable dogs and cats are re-homed.
In 2011 Oakland County had a return to owner rate of 14% and a kill rate of 36% according to Oakland County Pet Advocates. The Oakland County Pet Adoption Center currently places adoptable pets on petfinder.com, but many lack pictures and descriptions. http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?shelter_id=MI369. Some are posted on the facility’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OakGov.OPAC?fref=ts. But Oakland County Pet Advocates want to see more efforts being made.
Three resolutions are being introduced.
The first resolution would have the Oakland County Animal Shelter save all healthy and treatable homeless cats and dogs by the end of 2014.
The second resolution would require the shelter to post monthly statistics on the county website showing what happened to the cats and dogs that entered the shelter – adopted, returned to owner, euthanized.
The third resolution would require the shelter to first offer an animal to a rescue organization before they euthanize it.
“We’ve had a group of concerned resident that have been advocating to make Oakland County a no kill shelter and have been trying to work within the system. It’s been a very frustrating experience,” said Commissioner Gershenson. “They’ve got some great ideas and we’d like them to be listened to and looked at seriously.”
A 2010 study by the No Kill Advocacy Center, also cited in the resolution, “found no correlation between shelter expenditures and the ability to save lives, demonstrating that success in saving lives in not a matter of dollars and cents, but instead a matter of creative and innovative management.”
Through their website, http://www.voterssavingoaklandpets.com/ and through social media, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oakland-Pet-Advocates/425590874175868, Oakland County Pet Advocates is urging supporters to contact their County Commissioner or to come to the meeting Wednesday night when the resolution is expected to be introduced. The County Commission begins at 7pm at 1200 North Telegraph Road in Pontiac.
