“Dear PoP,
I’ve been a supporter of Washington Humane Society in the past. However, over the past few months, I’ve had a really disillusioning experience with them, which I just decided to write Mayor Fenty on, and I wondered if you might be interested. WHS euthanized a very sweet puppy named Shannon who had been fostered by a friend of mine, despite the fact that my friend had made clear that she was ready and willing to take responsibility for Shannon’s care until she was adopted.
I wrote to WHS to express my concerns, and ask for information on how this came about, and after quite a bit of back and forth I got a very disappointing response. In addition to denying what had happened, despite the fact that much of the evidence was in writing, they told me that they have no policy on euthanasia. Considering that so much of their fundraising is based on their “good home guarantee” I found the fact that they have no official guidelines on when an animal is euthanized rather shocking.
Also, looking into things, I found a couple of articles from the Washington Examiner addressing WHS management of the DC Shelter (http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/D_C_-animal-shelter-director-out-82635627.html; http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/PETA-claims-abuse_-ineptitude-at-D_C_-animal-shelter-8726855-80816312.html)
They referenced a PETA investigation of their practices, including poor hygiene, disease outbreaks, and inhumane killings.
I just wrote a letter to mayor Fenty, attaching one of the articles. and asking for his response. I’m not sure if the WHS contract for the shelter is still under review, but regardless, I think people need to be made aware of these concerns. I hope that WHS will continue to get support, but that people will also push them to better represent the organization’s expressed ideals.”
Full letter to mayor Fenty after the jump: (more…)
