(June 6, 2008) -- A group saying it speaks for a coalition of over sixty animal welfare groups is urging City Hall to "stop the senseless killing of thousands of animals."
The "Greater Long Beach Coalition for Humane Animal Care & Control" says it was formed in May to address "the City's alarming animal overpopulation problem" and its members "routinely assist with spaying/neutering, placing homeless pets, and trapping-neuter-return (TNR) and are in a unique position to assist the City in maintaining a No-Kill shelter."
In a May 15 release, the group said the coalition "was established to work with City officials in ending the senseless killing of thousands of animals every year. The group is eager to form a Citizen’s Advisory Committee that would provide input in the hiring of a new animal control director."
It says LB's current level of euthanasia killings (roughly 8,000 animals annually) is almost four times that of L.A. and greater than the national average...and says "other communities such as San Francisco, Philadelphia and Washoe County (NV) have successfully tackled this problem by adopting No-Kill policies."
"Not only have these policies helped to alleviate animal suffering, but they have actually saved money in terms of operating costs," said Lorraine Fishman, founder of Long Beach Spay & Neuter Foundation. .
"Although killing (euthanasia) can immediately alleviate shelter over-crowding, it does not address the root cause of the issue," said Joanne Kwast of the same group. "Until we eliminate the problem at the source, it will only get worse and result in a greater financial burden for the City."
TheDistrictWeekly.com's Dave Wielenga has a detailed story on the group. To view it, click here.
Following a botched euthanasia, first reported in the DistrictWeekly.com, LBReport.com requested data on dog and cat euthanasias (provided) and also requested an opportunity to view/video/report what management considers properly conducted dog and cat euthanasias (denied).
The coalition says it sent an open letter to City Hall (operates LB Animal Control) and spcaLA (private entity handles pet adoptions adjacent to LB Animal Control) outlining changes (which include what it calls aggressive spay/neutering programs and adoption) that they feel must occur to successfully mitigate the problem.
As recently reported by LBReport.com, the OC Grand Jury recently called adopting mandatory spay/neuter laws in OC and statewide (AB 1634, pending but now stalled in Sacramento). (LBReport.com coverage, click here.)
