Connecticut "Humane" Society?

Connecticut Humane Society?

Picking up the mail today, I found a pink-hued solicitation letter for the
Connecticut Humane Society's Spring Fund Drive, reminding me to send a
donation, assuring me that the animals they take in "are cared for in a
kind and loving way".

This after I had just finished a phone call from a friend consumed with
grief. She had recently brought two young, friendly cats to the Society's
Westport branch, certain they would be safe there. She was stunned to find
they had been put to death, along with over TWENTY other cats on Saturday,
April 30, 2005.

Why? Because they had caught colds. Not rabies, not distemper, not FIV or
feline leukemia. Just easily treated colds. It was more convenient and
less costly for the staff to kill the cats than administer antibiotics.

The Connecticut Humane Society (CHS) is a privately run organization
operating from its main headquarters in Newington. They have 3 branches.
The Westport branch IS NOT Westport Animal Control, as is commonly thought.
The Westport town-run pound is located off of South Compo Road in a small,
dilapidated cement block structure.

The CHS permanently closed their Stamford branch several years ago without
notice, leaving a huge void for homeless animals in that area. They closed
their Westport branch in 2003 for a year-long renovation, again with no
notice or outreach to other shelters and rescue groups who were forced to
absorb a staggering influx of unwanted animals during that time.

The CHS is not obligated to report their euthanasia statistics to the
State. We have no idea how many cats and dogs are "humanely" put to death
at their four locations annually, but they are NOT no-kill shelters for
companion animals.

As reported by Animal People, a watchdog publication for animal protection
charities, the CHS had $61 million of discretionary income at its disposal
and another $14 million in investments held by others, yet only spent $3.7
million on programs and overhead in 2000. www.guidestar.org, the national
database for nonprofit organizations, has the CHS' 2003 IRS form 990 which
shows little change from 2000. The Wise Giving Alliance (www.give.org)
suggests a standard of not accumulating unrestricted net assets more than
three times the size of the current year's budget.

The P.S. at the bottom of the solicitation letter I received, signed by CHS
President Richard Johnston read, "With your help we will provide the
security of a warm place to sleep, food for the starving, and medical
attention if necessary". If my money is not being used for antibiotics, I
certainly don't want it being used to purchase sodium pentobarbitone to
kill the animals in their purported care. On April 30th they strayed far
from their Mission Statement of "promoting humanity and kindness".
Marketing themselves as something they aren't is an injustice not only to
the Mission they are legally obligated to operate under, but to the
thousands of dogs and cats in our community.

You can order a subscription to Animal People's annual "Watchdog Report"
which lists the financials of over 100 animal charities by going to
www.animalpeoplenews.org/watchdog_report.html

Be informed, know where your money goes. I know mine will no longer go to
the Connecticut Humane Society.

Karen Rasmussen

Wilton, CT

Karen Rasmussen wrote:
Connecticut Humane Society?

Picking up the mail today, I found a pink-hued solicitation letter
for the Connecticut Humane Society's Spring Fund Drive, reminding me
to send a donation, assuring me that the animals they take in "are
cared for in a kind and loving way".

This after I had just finished a phone call from a friend consumed
with grief. She had recently brought two young, friendly cats to the
Society's Westport branch, certain they would be safe there. She was
stunned to find they had been put to death, along with over TWENTY
other cats on Saturday, April 30, 2005.

Why? Because they had caught colds.

You need to write this to the perpetrators of the crime. And yes, I think
it's a crime they killed those cats.

Jill

"Karen Rasmussen" wrote in message
...
Connecticut Humane Society?

Picking up the mail today, I found a pink-hued solicitation letter for the
Connecticut Humane Society's Spring Fund Drive, reminding me to send a
donation, assuring me that the animals they take in "are cared for in a
kind and loving way".


snip

It sucks, but this is what is commonly done at open admission shelters. I
volunteer at a limited admission shelter, so no, we don't put animals down
for having a cold, but we do have to turn away new intakes if we are full.
Although, it is our policy to take in strays ASAP. If we are full, the
strays usually have to stay in the animal control pound until there is room.
Before I started getting into volunteering and cat rescue, I went to the
MSPCA to adopt a cat. It was really busy, and I wasn't ready to take a cat
home that day. I saw a cute buff colored one year old girl named Sandy. I
wasn't even thinking that she could be put down. I decided to come back
another day, and if she was not adopted, I would adopt her. When I came
back, I didn't see her so I asked if she was adopted. They told me no, she
caught a URI, they had no foster homes, so they had to put her down. I was
horrified, and I felt, and still do feel guilty.

-Kelly

Karen Rasmussen wrote:

Why? Because they had caught colds. Not rabies, not distemper, not FIV or
feline leukemia. Just easily treated colds. It was more convenient and
less costly for the staff to kill the cats than administer antibiotics.

Whoa. Wait a minute. How familiar are you with the facility? What is
their capacity for cats, and how many cats did they have at that time?

NO shelter thinks it is "convenient" to kill cats. They hate
euthanizing animals. And believe me, antibiotic is much cheaper to
administer than sodium pentabarbitol.

I can't say for sure, but possibly the shelter was absolutely full past
capacity, and they had to make room. Of course it is horrible to
euthanize pets with a treatable illness, but if it's a choice between
the healthy kittens & cats, and the ones ill with URIs, it's the only
choice they have.

If you are absolutely sure of the facts, and you KNOW this shelter is
killing animals for "convenience" and because they simply don't want to
bother with them, you are well justified in your post.

But please, be SURE before you slander them like that. A humane
society's best asset is its reputation. We survive on the generosity of
donors. Once that reputation is tainted, or damaged, the donations will
stop coming.

And when that happens, my friend, the animals are the ones who suffer.
Just be sure you've got your facts straight. Ask for a tour of the
shelter--see for yourself how overcrowded (nor not) they are. Ask for
their euthanasia records. (Most shelters will share them).

Please don't be a part of that unless you have solid, first-hand
information and have looked into it yourself.

Sherry

"Karen Rasmussen" wrote in message
...
Connecticut Humane Society?
Picking up the mail today, I found a pink-hued solicitation letter for
the Connecticut Humane Society's Spring Fund Drive, reminding me to send
a donation, assuring me that the animals they take in "are cared for in a
kind and loving way".
This after I had just finished a phone call from a friend consumed with
grief. She had recently brought two young, friendly cats to the
Society's Westport branch, certain they would be safe there. She was
stunned to find they had been put to death, along with over TWENTY other
cats on Saturday, April 30, 2005.

Why? Because they had caught colds. Not rabies, not distemper, not FIV
or feline leukemia. Just easily treated colds. It was more convenient
and less costly for the staff to kill the cats than administer
antibiotics.
The Connecticut Humane Society (CHS) is a privately run organization
operating from its main headquarters in Newington. They have 3 branches.
The Westport branch IS NOT Westport Animal Control, as is commonly
thought. The Westport town-run pound is located off of South Compo Road
in a small, dilapidated cement block structure.
The CHS permanently closed their Stamford branch several years ago
without notice, leaving a huge void for homeless animals in that area.
They closed their Westport branch in 2003 for a year-long renovation,
again with no notice or outreach to other shelters and rescue groups who
were forced to absorb a staggering influx of unwanted animals during that
time.
The CHS is not obligated to report their euthanasia statistics to the
State. We have no idea how many cats and dogs are "humanely" put to
death at their four locations annually, but they are NOT no-kill shelters
for companion animals.
As reported by Animal People, a watchdog publication for animal
protection charities, the CHS had $61 million of discretionary income at
its disposal and another $14 million in investments held by others, yet
only spent $3.7 million on programs and overhead in 2000.
www.guidestar.org, the national database for nonprofit organizations, has
the CHS' 2003 IRS form 990 which shows little change from 2000. The Wise
Giving Alliance (www.give.org) suggests a standard of not accumulating
unrestricted net assets more than three times the size of the current
year's budget.
The P.S. at the bottom of the solicitation letter I received, signed by
CHS President Richard Johnston read, "With your help we will provide the
security of a warm place to sleep, food for the starving, and medical
attention if necessary". If my money is not being used for antibiotics,
I certainly don't want it being used to purchase sodium pentobarbitone to
kill the animals in their purported care. On April 30th they strayed far
from their Mission Statement of "promoting humanity and kindness".
Marketing themselves as something they aren't is an injustice not only to
the Mission they are legally obligated to operate under, but to the
thousands of dogs and cats in our community.
You can order a subscription to Animal People's annual "Watchdog Report"
which lists the financials of over 100 animal charities by going to
www.animalpeoplenews.org/watchdog_report.html
Be informed, know where your money goes. I know mine will no longer go
to the Connecticut Humane Society.
Karen Rasmussen
Wilton, CT

------------------------------------------------------------------
This is not a troll.
I live in CT and volunteer for Friends of Felines in Stamford, CT.
www.adoptapet.org All the no-kill rescue groups in CT after been after the
CT Humane Society for a long time.
The CT Humane Society considers any animal over a year old unadoptable and
disposable. This group also has alot of $$$$$.
This woman is obviously irate as are all the no-kill rescue groups in CT
who so desparately need money to run their small no-kill groups.
Meanwhile, ignorant people are swayed by the constant pleas for money by
the CT Humane Society's propaganda.
--------------------
Sticky Buds

On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 09:46:24 -0400, "Sticky Buds"
wrote:

"Karen Rasmussen" wrote in message
...
Connecticut Humane Society?
Picking up the mail today, I found a pink-hued solicitation letter for
the Connecticut Humane Society's Spring Fund Drive, reminding me to send
a donation, assuring me that the animals they take in "are cared for in a
kind and loving way".
This after I had just finished a phone call from a friend consumed with
grief. She had recently brought two young, friendly cats to the
Society's Westport branch, certain they would be safe there. She was
stunned to find they had been put to death, along with over TWENTY other
cats on Saturday, April 30, 2005.

Why? Because they had caught colds. Not rabies, not distemper, not FIV
or feline leukemia. Just easily treated colds. It was more convenient
and less costly for the staff to kill the cats than administer
antibiotics.
The Connecticut Humane Society (CHS) is a privately run organization
operating from its main headquarters in Newington. They have 3 branches.
The Westport branch IS NOT Westport Animal Control, as is commonly
thought. The Westport town-run pound is located off of South Compo Road
in a small, dilapidated cement block structure.
The CHS permanently closed their Stamford branch several years ago
without notice, leaving a huge void for homeless animals in that area.
They closed their Westport branch in 2003 for a year-long renovation,
again with no notice or outreach to other shelters and rescue groups who
were forced to absorb a staggering influx of unwanted animals during that
time.
The CHS is not obligated to report their euthanasia statistics to the
State. We have no idea how many cats and dogs are "humanely" put to
death at their four locations annually, but they are NOT no-kill shelters
for companion animals.
As reported by Animal People, a watchdog publication for animal
protection charities, the CHS had $61 million of discretionary income at
its disposal and another $14 million in investments held by others, yet
only spent $3.7 million on programs and overhead in 2000.
www.guidestar.org, the national database for nonprofit organizations, has
the CHS' 2003 IRS form 990 which shows little change from 2000. The Wise
Giving Alliance (www.give.org) suggests a standard of not accumulating
unrestricted net assets more than three times the size of the current
year's budget.
The P.S. at the bottom of the solicitation letter I received, signed by
CHS President Richard Johnston read, "With your help we will provide the
security of a warm place to sleep, food for the starving, and medical
attention if necessary". If my money is not being used for antibiotics,
I certainly don't want it being used to purchase sodium pentobarbitone to
kill the animals in their purported care. On April 30th they strayed far
from their Mission Statement of "promoting humanity and kindness".
Marketing themselves as something they aren't is an injustice not only to
the Mission they are legally obligated to operate under, but to the
thousands of dogs and cats in our community.
You can order a subscription to Animal People's annual "Watchdog Report"
which lists the financials of over 100 animal charities by going to
www.animalpeoplenews.org/watchdog_report.html
Be informed, know where your money goes. I know mine will no longer go
to the Connecticut Humane Society.
Karen Rasmussen
Wilton, CT

------------------------------------------------------------------
This is not a troll.
I live in CT and volunteer for Friends of Felines in Stamford, CT.
www.adoptapet.org All the no-kill rescue groups in CT after been after the
CT Humane Society for a long time.
The CT Humane Society considers any animal over a year old unadoptable and
disposable. This group also has alot of $$$$$.
This woman is obviously irate as are all the no-kill rescue groups in CT
who so desparately need money to run their small no-kill groups.
Meanwhile, ignorant people are swayed by the constant pleas for money by
the CT Humane Society's propaganda.
--------------------
Sticky Buds


All anyone needs to is take a look at all the mailing they'd get if they
make even ONE donation to HSUS. I did a few years ago and now I get a
torrent of requests for donations, accompanied by personalized return
mail adhesive labels, calenders, picture albums, greeting cars, and
other "novelties", speaking loud and clear about where donated money
REALLY goes.

equalizer wrote:
On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 09:46:24 -0400, "Sticky Buds"
wrote:

"Karen Rasmussen" wrote in message
...
Connecticut Humane Society?
Picking up the mail today, I found a pink-hued solicitation letter
for the Connecticut Humane Society's Spring Fund Drive, reminding
me to send a donation, assuring me that the animals they take in
"are cared for in a kind and loving way".
This after I had just finished a phone call from a friend consumed
with grief. She had recently brought two young, friendly cats to
the Society's Westport branch, certain they would be safe there.
She was stunned to find they had been put to death, along with over
TWENTY other cats on Saturday, April 30, 2005.

Why? Because they had caught colds.
------------------------------------------------------------------
This is not a troll.
I live in CT and volunteer for Friends of Felines in Stamford, CT.
www.adoptapet.org All the no-kill rescue groups in CT after been
after the CT Humane Society for a long time.
The CT Humane Society considers any animal over a year old
unadoptable and disposable. This group also has alot of $$$$$.
This woman is obviously irate as are all the no-kill rescue groups
in CT who so desparately need money to run their small no-kill
groups. Meanwhile, ignorant people are swayed by the constant pleas
for money by the CT Humane Society's propaganda.
--------------------
Sticky Buds


All anyone needs to is take a look at all the mailing they'd get if
they make even ONE donation to HSUS. I did a few years ago and now I
get a torrent of requests for donations, accompanied by personalized
return
mail adhesive labels, calenders, picture albums, greeting cars, and
other "novelties", speaking loud and clear about where donated money
REALLY goes.

I get those things in the mail all the time, not just from the Humane
Society but from other organizations to whom I've never donated a dime.
You're right; they are wasting donated funds (or grant money, wherever it
may come from) which could be better spent on taking care of the cause for
which they are soliciting. I think I have enough free personalized mailing
labels to last into the 22nd century.

Jill

equalizer wrote in message
...

All anyone needs to is take a look at all the mailing they'd get if they
make even ONE donation to HSUS. I did a few years ago and now I get a
torrent of requests for donations, accompanied by personalized return
mail adhesive labels, calenders, picture albums, greeting cars, and
other "novelties", speaking loud and clear about where donated money
REALLY goes.



The American Cancer Society got our address somewhere, we suspect from
someone in one of the support groups that we used to go to. Now we get them
pleading with us for money, when we often have to choose the bill to pay.

Pam S. tired of the ACS

Pamela Shirk wrote:


The American Cancer Society got our address somewhere, we suspect from
someone in one of the support groups that we used to go to. Now we get them
pleading with us for money, when we often have to choose the bill to pay.

Pam S. tired of the ACS

Wow. I didn't realize *everybody* got all that junk.
The weirdest one I get is from some bunch that wants money for some
poor Indian reservation in New Mexico or Arizona or somewhere. Man.
THEY are persistant.
The maddest I got was when I got a "free" DVD, about whales or
something from a wildlife group. It appears I was "enrolled" by this
group, would receive one a month for $9.95. It really ragged me to have
to package the stupid thing and send it back.

Sherry

jmcquown wrote:
equalizer wrote:




All anyone needs to is take a look at all the mailing they'd get if
they make even ONE donation to HSUS. I did a few years ago and now I
get a torrent of requests for donations, accompanied by personalized
return
mail adhesive labels, calenders, picture albums, greeting cars, and
other "novelties", speaking loud and clear about where donated money
REALLY goes.


I get those things in the mail all the time, not just from the Humane
Society but from other organizations to whom I've never donated a dime.
You're right; they are wasting donated funds (or grant money, wherever it
may come from) which could be better spent on taking care of the cause for
which they are soliciting. I think I have enough free personalized mailing
labels to last into the 22nd century.

Jill


I finally got sick of all the "gifts" and such and emailed them a
request to "please stop sending me stuff!". They said they would stop
all mailings with the exception of the yearly calendar. I haven't
received anything since. If you're not a contributor, it probably won't
work.

I also remember seeing something about getting on a "no junk mail" list,
sort of like the "do not call" list. I'll have to try to find where I
read about that. Will let you all know when I find it

--
Elise (supervised by Gossamer & Jeeves)
pics: