Saturday, April 9, 2011

Operation Rescue To Foster

Those of us who are animal lovers and volunteers in Kansas City received an SOS email yesterday afternoon. Two of the area's top animal welfare organizations, Wayside Waifs and No More Homeless Pets KC, are planning an emergency intervention to save the lives of abused and neglected animals.

That in itself isn't news; the location of these abused animals, on the other hand, is. You see, they're in Kansas City's city-owned animal shelter.

Two years ago, the city bid out management of its shelter to a privately-owned corporation run by a veterinarian. Initially, adoptions increased and the private management saved the city nearly $200,000 a year. But the blush fell off this rose very quickly.

In the past two weeks, over 15 animals have died in their kennels at the shelter, or had to be euthanized within hours of being pulled from the facility due to severe health issues.

WDAF TV 4 reported that the city of Kansas City recently announced that they will not renew their contract with the private management firm, due to allegations of abuse and neglect. The shelter is currently under investigation by the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board.

The television station was quoted as reporting, "the allegations are serious, including pets dying from easily treatable diseases, unkempt kennels, and even a case of accidental castration."

What can you do to help?

Kansas CIty is desperately seeking temporary foster parents for these ill animals, who are willing to dedicate three weeks of their time to nurse these cats and dogs back to health until they are well enough to be placed in a clean, responsibly run, no-kill facility like Wayside Waifs for adoption. If you are willing to share three weeks of your life to save a life, please let Courtney Thomas at No More Homeless Pets KC know. (913-742-7307 or cthomas@nmhpkc.org)

Wayside Waifs is in URGENT need of: clay cat litter (Johnny Cat, Fresh Step), medium and large dog crates (wire & travel crates), canned pet food, Rubbermaid totes (20 gallon), litter boxes, toys & treats.

If you are in the KC area, you can drop the supplies off at Wayside, located at 3901 Martha Truman Rd in south Kansas City.

If you're not in the KC area, financial assistance is always a huge need. Tens of thousands of dollars have been spent on medical treatments for animals pulled from this "shelter" just since this January.

Please...do what you can to help.



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