Imagine what 50 million could do if used to create a spay/neuter fund available to all shelters and rescues. I'm so tired of state's spending huge sums just to continue to explore the problem and experiment with the nonsense like the ideas like 'community sheltering' which is dangerous and irresponsible and will once again leave the responsibility for saving animals on individuals who cannot look away (but too often don't have the resources or the expertise to save them). Common sense is simply not common anymore.
Thank you, Cara, for your thoughtful comment! I couldn’t agree more—$50 million could make a world of difference if it were invested in spay/neuter programs that directly address the root cause of overpopulation. It’s frustrating to see so much money spent on initiatives that don’t tackle the heart of the issue, leaving individuals and communities to carry the burden. Common sense solutions like spay/neuter are right in front of us, and it’s time we prioritize them. Thank you for sharing your perspective—it’s voices like yours that can help steer the conversation in the right direction!
I can only come away with one assumption when I see a refusal to utilize the most obvious preventive remedy: they don't want to solve the problem. Is it possible that some fear working themselves out of a job? When the majority of a community recognizes what is needed and those in the position to employ the necessary measures don't follow up, we all have to wonder.
It is hard not to question the motives when such an obvious and effective solution is deprioritized. It does make you wonder if some fear losing their need for funding or even their jobs. When the community sees the solution clearly, but those in charge don’t act on it, it’s definitely cause for concern. Let’s hope more people start asking these important questions and pushing for real change!
While highlighting California, these ethical dilemmas resound all across the US. Public safety and health vs the humane treatment of companion animals are being discussed or should be discussed in most of the states.
Melissa, you are correct! The legal and ethical dilemmas highlighted in California are indeed reflective of broader challenges faced by animal shelters across the U.S. Balancing public safety and health with the humane treatment of companion animals is a conversation that needs to happen nationwide. As more communities grapple with overpopulation, shelter overcrowding, and ethical considerations, it's crucial that we continue to discuss and reassess our approaches to ensure the best outcomes for both animals and people. Thanks for raising this important point!
And when they elected to ignore and not meaningfully bolster SnN, they represented that altering animals had already been “successful” and sufficiently utilized in communities- ignoring that over 90% of all stray dog intake in CA is unaltered. They put their ego and need for Newsom’s approval over the animals. Koret has absolutely facilitated increased breeding and horrible deaths for animals. All the litters and injuries certainly increase business for CA veterinarians too.
Hilary, thank you for sharing your perspective. It is frustrating to see how the focus on spay/neuter programs has been downplayed, especially when the data clearly shows that so many stray animals remain unaltered. The fact that this is being overlooked in favor of policies that seem more about optics than real solutions is disheartening. And you're right—this approach not only harms the animals but also seems to create more work for veterinarians dealing with the resulting litters and injuries. It’s time we refocus on common-sense solutions like spay/neuter programs that address the root of the problem instead of perpetuating it. Thank you for highlighting this important issue!
This is such a great article. For FAR TOO LONG… no one has been willing to connect the dots. Thank you, Ed.
Sorry for the long comment, but there is so much to share about this issue right now. We are surely at a crossroads.
In San Diego, SD Humane Society has just been sued for their practice and policy of dumping friendly, tame cats on the streets by the THOUSANDS since about 2019. A ruling on the lawsuit is expected on 12/20:24 at 1:30 in San Diego Superior Court, Judge Bacal presiding judge.
Turns out that SD Humane apparently just closed their adoption center and began to require their VOLUNTEERS and good samaritans who brought the cats in — to drive back to the spot where the cat was found and dump the cat and drive away.
In any case, it is illegal and inhumane. SD Humane collects over $20,000,000 a year in taxpayer dollars and countless donations in the hundreds of millions to care for the homeless animals brought to them. SD Humane Society has a 24/7 PR machine that running and collecting donations every minute of every day. And THIS is what they’ve been doing to kittens and cats behind the backs of donors.
Then, to DEFEND this illegal policy, they hired one of the (if not the largest law firm) in the world to DEFEND this abhorrent practice. O’Melveny & O’Melveny with 800 attorneys all over the world. If that doesn’t send a strong message- I don’t know what does. Money is NO object apparently with these organizations.
San Diego’s kittens and cats were represented by PeaseLaw.org- pro bono by a small firm who truly cares about the outcome of the orphaned animals in San Diego. Plaintiffs were Pet Assistance Foundation, founded in 1955 and 82 year old Wendy was in the courtroom for months while the trial drug on fighting for justice against this atrocity. This was not an easy fight, but they all took it on -because so much is riding on this, and not just in San Diego.
During the trial, I was there, I heard Kate Hurley- a vet, the founder of the Shelter Medicine program, a BIG Koret player—along SD Humane’s head vet Zarah Hedge boast about how they’ve proudly DUMPED A MILLION CATS on the streets in their “Million Cat Challenge” all across the country.
They both sounded like misguided sociopaths. Even claiming cats are “THRIVING” in their new outdoor homes. BIG problem is they don’t track them to know what they are talking about. A quick visit to SD Next Door platform reveals horrible outcomes for these cats. No microchips, no caregiver, no food, no water. No health care. No protection from traffic, coyotes, owls, eating poisoned rodents. One of the vets actually said out loud “NO ONE WANTS TO ADOPT CATS ANYMORE”.
Those were the “expert” witnesses of the shelter. I saw two heartless, misguided, overpaid “expert”veterinarians defending a despicable and cruel policy. By any metric—they should know better, a kindergartner could tell you that is not a kind thing to do to homeless animal. Never mind the donor fraud.
Thank you, Christine, for your thoughtful comment and for sharing such detailed insight into what’s happening in San Diego. It’s heartbreaking to hear about the ongoing legal battle and the disturbing practices that have come to light. You’re absolutely right—this issue goes far beyond California, and it’s crucial that we connect the dots and hold these organizations accountable. The fact that SD Humane Society, with all its resources, is choosing to defend such inhumane policies is alarming. I’ve been following the case from afar, and hope justice is served for the thousands of cats affected by these practices. Thank you again for your dedication to this cause and for fighting on behalf of these animals. We are indeed at a crossroads, and your voice is making a difference!
Imagine what 50 million could do if used to create a spay/neuter fund available to all shelters and rescues. I'm so tired of state's spending huge sums just to continue to explore the problem and experiment with the nonsense like the ideas like 'community sheltering' which is dangerous and irresponsible and will once again leave the responsibility for saving animals on individuals who cannot look away (but too often don't have the resources or the expertise to save them). Common sense is simply not common anymore.
Thank you, Cara, for your thoughtful comment! I couldn’t agree more—$50 million could make a world of difference if it were invested in spay/neuter programs that directly address the root cause of overpopulation. It’s frustrating to see so much money spent on initiatives that don’t tackle the heart of the issue, leaving individuals and communities to carry the burden. Common sense solutions like spay/neuter are right in front of us, and it’s time we prioritize them. Thank you for sharing your perspective—it’s voices like yours that can help steer the conversation in the right direction!
I can only come away with one assumption when I see a refusal to utilize the most obvious preventive remedy: they don't want to solve the problem. Is it possible that some fear working themselves out of a job? When the majority of a community recognizes what is needed and those in the position to employ the necessary measures don't follow up, we all have to wonder.
It is hard not to question the motives when such an obvious and effective solution is deprioritized. It does make you wonder if some fear losing their need for funding or even their jobs. When the community sees the solution clearly, but those in charge don’t act on it, it’s definitely cause for concern. Let’s hope more people start asking these important questions and pushing for real change!
While highlighting California, these ethical dilemmas resound all across the US. Public safety and health vs the humane treatment of companion animals are being discussed or should be discussed in most of the states.
Melissa, you are correct! The legal and ethical dilemmas highlighted in California are indeed reflective of broader challenges faced by animal shelters across the U.S. Balancing public safety and health with the humane treatment of companion animals is a conversation that needs to happen nationwide. As more communities grapple with overpopulation, shelter overcrowding, and ethical considerations, it's crucial that we continue to discuss and reassess our approaches to ensure the best outcomes for both animals and people. Thanks for raising this important point!
And when they elected to ignore and not meaningfully bolster SnN, they represented that altering animals had already been “successful” and sufficiently utilized in communities- ignoring that over 90% of all stray dog intake in CA is unaltered. They put their ego and need for Newsom’s approval over the animals. Koret has absolutely facilitated increased breeding and horrible deaths for animals. All the litters and injuries certainly increase business for CA veterinarians too.
Hilary, thank you for sharing your perspective. It is frustrating to see how the focus on spay/neuter programs has been downplayed, especially when the data clearly shows that so many stray animals remain unaltered. The fact that this is being overlooked in favor of policies that seem more about optics than real solutions is disheartening. And you're right—this approach not only harms the animals but also seems to create more work for veterinarians dealing with the resulting litters and injuries. It’s time we refocus on common-sense solutions like spay/neuter programs that address the root of the problem instead of perpetuating it. Thank you for highlighting this important issue!
This is such a great article. For FAR TOO LONG… no one has been willing to connect the dots. Thank you, Ed.
Sorry for the long comment, but there is so much to share about this issue right now. We are surely at a crossroads.
In San Diego, SD Humane Society has just been sued for their practice and policy of dumping friendly, tame cats on the streets by the THOUSANDS since about 2019. A ruling on the lawsuit is expected on 12/20:24 at 1:30 in San Diego Superior Court, Judge Bacal presiding judge.
Turns out that SD Humane apparently just closed their adoption center and began to require their VOLUNTEERS and good samaritans who brought the cats in — to drive back to the spot where the cat was found and dump the cat and drive away.
In any case, it is illegal and inhumane. SD Humane collects over $20,000,000 a year in taxpayer dollars and countless donations in the hundreds of millions to care for the homeless animals brought to them. SD Humane Society has a 24/7 PR machine that running and collecting donations every minute of every day. And THIS is what they’ve been doing to kittens and cats behind the backs of donors.
Then, to DEFEND this illegal policy, they hired one of the (if not the largest law firm) in the world to DEFEND this abhorrent practice. O’Melveny & O’Melveny with 800 attorneys all over the world. If that doesn’t send a strong message- I don’t know what does. Money is NO object apparently with these organizations.
San Diego’s kittens and cats were represented by PeaseLaw.org- pro bono by a small firm who truly cares about the outcome of the orphaned animals in San Diego. Plaintiffs were Pet Assistance Foundation, founded in 1955 and 82 year old Wendy was in the courtroom for months while the trial drug on fighting for justice against this atrocity. This was not an easy fight, but they all took it on -because so much is riding on this, and not just in San Diego.
During the trial, I was there, I heard Kate Hurley- a vet, the founder of the Shelter Medicine program, a BIG Koret player—along SD Humane’s head vet Zarah Hedge boast about how they’ve proudly DUMPED A MILLION CATS on the streets in their “Million Cat Challenge” all across the country.
They both sounded like misguided sociopaths. Even claiming cats are “THRIVING” in their new outdoor homes. BIG problem is they don’t track them to know what they are talking about. A quick visit to SD Next Door platform reveals horrible outcomes for these cats. No microchips, no caregiver, no food, no water. No health care. No protection from traffic, coyotes, owls, eating poisoned rodents. One of the vets actually said out loud “NO ONE WANTS TO ADOPT CATS ANYMORE”.
Those were the “expert” witnesses of the shelter. I saw two heartless, misguided, overpaid “expert”veterinarians defending a despicable and cruel policy. By any metric—they should know better, a kindergartner could tell you that is not a kind thing to do to homeless animal. Never mind the donor fraud.
Thank you, Christine, for your thoughtful comment and for sharing such detailed insight into what’s happening in San Diego. It’s heartbreaking to hear about the ongoing legal battle and the disturbing practices that have come to light. You’re absolutely right—this issue goes far beyond California, and it’s crucial that we connect the dots and hold these organizations accountable. The fact that SD Humane Society, with all its resources, is choosing to defend such inhumane policies is alarming. I’ve been following the case from afar, and hope justice is served for the thousands of cats affected by these practices. Thank you again for your dedication to this cause and for fighting on behalf of these animals. We are indeed at a crossroads, and your voice is making a difference!
It takes a village as they say!
Complications are there to be overcome
Very Zen! The obstacle is the way... ;-)