In a very sad turn of events, a dog named Stanley was euthanized on Monday, just hours before he was scheduled to be moved to a foster home.
The incident involved Proving Animals Are Worth Saving (PAAWS), a dedicated organization that coordinates foster homes for rescue animals in Indiana. PAAWS announced that Stanley is ready for his new beginning. However, a communication breakdown resulted in Stanley’s premature euthanization by Evansville Animal Control before the transfer could take place.
Julie Frazier, the treasurer of PAAWS, lamented the situation, saying that Stanley was placed under the care of animal control on Friday, and by Sunday, PAAWS had successfully arranged a foster home for him. Frazier expresses his grief, emphasizing how devastating it is, knowing that Stanley is on the verge of a new beginning.
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She recounted how they notified the shelter on Sunday via voicemail of their readiness to take Stanley into their care. Todd Robertson, Evansville’s director of transportation and services, pointed to the unfortunate timing of the events. He explained the sad reality of animal control duties, noting that euthanasia procedures are carried out early in the morning.
Robertson added that during those early hours, the facility was not staffed to handle incoming calls, leaving any communication attempts unanswered until the next morning. He also noted that Stanley was prioritized for euthanasia due to behavioral issues, a point Frazier acknowledged but attributed to the stress Stanley was facing in the unfamiliar environment of the shelter.
Both Frazier and Robertson agree that the underlying issue goes beyond Stanley’s individual tragedy. They highlighted a broader issue in the community, emphasizing the drastic change from the peak of the pandemic when shelters were empty as individuals adopted pets while spending more time at home. The recent trend of these pets being returned has overwhelmed shelters.
Credit/Story Source Credit: 44 News Evansville via YouTube Video
Frazier pointed out that the shelter’s limited capacity, with fewer jails compared to other facilities in neighboring regions, exacerbated the situation.
Robertson emphasized the importance of responsible pet ownership, stressing the need for spaying and neutering pets and ensuring lifelong care. He argued that expanding the facility would offer little relief without addressing the root of the problem – the increasing number of animals in need of shelter.
In the wake of this unfortunate incident, the Vanderburgh Humane Society released a statement via Facebook supporting Evansville Animal Control. They called for accountability, pointing the finger at those who failed to spay or neuter their pets and at pet owners who abandoned their animals when they became busy, contributing to the ongoing crisis in animal shelters.
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