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After posting about the kittens, someone asked me about the shelter I got them from. It's Town Lake Animal Center, also called TLAC. I tried to answer the questions. So I go into the break room at lunchtime, and there's a monthly newspaper on the table, with the pages opened to an article about TLAC.
In the 9 months prior to when the article was written in August, of the 17 thousand animals that left TLAC about half left in body bags. Over 3500 of the animals they had brought in were owner surrenders. The SR mailing list has given me a glimpse into these fuckers that surrender their pets.
"The new place we're moving to doesn't allow pets."
"My new boyfriend is allergic to cats."
Bastards.
TLAC has killed about 150,000 pets since they opened in 1992. The average number has dropped thanks to rescue organizations, and currently is around 45 animals killed per weekday.
There was a series of photos in the article, of a dog being euthanized. "We play with them one last time before we send them to God," said one of the techs. The blurb to the photos says "One veterinary technician cradles the animal and holds down its forepaw, [a friendly lab mix is shown looking curiously into the camera as green-clad arms hold him around the neck] while the other technician locates the cephalic vein and injects sodium pentobarbital. [the techs stretch out his right front paw] Death is nearly instantaneous. [his head lolls over the tech's arm] A 'heart stick' plunged into the chest throbs until the heart stops beating. [a close-up of the dog's face, lax and with pupils fully dilated] When respiration stops the dog is wrapped in a plastic bag and put in a freezer to await its journey to the landfill. [the dog, with the heart stick still in his chest, is lying on the silver table, half inside what looks like a black trash bag]
*weeps*
I've seen many horrible things, but this is by far the most disturbing thing I have ever seen. And it happens every day. About 45 times a day during the work week. About once every 10 minutes.
I'm sure I will grow used to this information, but right now, I feel like going to everyone who won't spay or neuter, who gives up their pet because of their boyfriend, who runs a puppy mill, and kicking their ass.
People suck.
In the 9 months prior to when the article was written in August, of the 17 thousand animals that left TLAC about half left in body bags. Over 3500 of the animals they had brought in were owner surrenders. The SR mailing list has given me a glimpse into these fuckers that surrender their pets.
"The new place we're moving to doesn't allow pets."
"My new boyfriend is allergic to cats."
Bastards.
TLAC has killed about 150,000 pets since they opened in 1992. The average number has dropped thanks to rescue organizations, and currently is around 45 animals killed per weekday.
There was a series of photos in the article, of a dog being euthanized. "We play with them one last time before we send them to God," said one of the techs. The blurb to the photos says "One veterinary technician cradles the animal and holds down its forepaw, [a friendly lab mix is shown looking curiously into the camera as green-clad arms hold him around the neck] while the other technician locates the cephalic vein and injects sodium pentobarbital. [the techs stretch out his right front paw] Death is nearly instantaneous. [his head lolls over the tech's arm] A 'heart stick' plunged into the chest throbs until the heart stops beating. [a close-up of the dog's face, lax and with pupils fully dilated] When respiration stops the dog is wrapped in a plastic bag and put in a freezer to await its journey to the landfill. [the dog, with the heart stick still in his chest, is lying on the silver table, half inside what looks like a black trash bag]
*weeps*
I've seen many horrible things, but this is by far the most disturbing thing I have ever seen. And it happens every day. About 45 times a day during the work week. About once every 10 minutes.
I'm sure I will grow used to this information, but right now, I feel like going to everyone who won't spay or neuter, who gives up their pet because of their boyfriend, who runs a puppy mill, and kicking their ass.
People suck.
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no subject
Date: Dec. 17th, 2001 12:49 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: Dec. 17th, 2001 10:37 am (UTC)From:My cat is getting on in years, and I really don't look forward to the day when I have to let him go. I also feel like I should be there, but just the thought of it makes me choke up now. I don't know if I'd have the strength.