positive story from local shelter

[niemand88f]

A year ago a local shelter tried to euthanize a cat with their gas chamber, she survived twice and was allowed another chance to be adopted. Instead of trying to cover it up or deny wrongdoing, this shelter is now trying to become a no-kill shelter!


WEST VALLEY CITY — It all started with Andrea, the black, long-haired cat that refused to die.

On Oct. 13, 2011, Andrea survived two cycles inside the carbon monoxide gas chamber at the West Valley City animal shelter. Thought to be dead after the second gassing, she was placed in a plastic bag and inside the shelter's cooler.

About 30 minutes later, an employee heard meowing coming from inside the refrigerated room.

In the months that followed, the cat's cries were joined by rumblings in the community about possible problems with the gas chamber and concerns about the shelter's euthanasia practices.

Today, those same voices are praising West Valley City Animal Services for listening to their concerns, taking them seriously and making a commitment to increase adoptions and reduce euthanasia at the shelter.

"I think Andrea was the catalyst for change," said Janita Coombs, director of the nonprofit Community Animal Welfare Society.

Support from the city councils of the two municipalities the shelter serves, West Valley City and Taylorsville, and assistance from Best Friends Animal Society have sparked what animal welfare groups are calling "remarkable" improvements in just a few months.

Save rates for dogs and cats since June have improved 73.5 percent from a year ago, according to Best Friends. That means 73.5 percent more animals are leaving the shelter alive, either through adoption or West Valley City Animal Services' trap, neuter and return program for feral cats.

rest of the article here

[patches31709]

:Y: That's awesome!