Animal shelter in southwest Florida criticized for euthanasia rates

FORT MYERS, Florida – Some local animal lovers say Lee County’s pet service is unnecessarily breaking up too many animals.

Melanie Agnello has placed nearly 5,000 cats and dogs in the 30 years she has been saving animals. With her Cape Coral rescue, Helping Paws 22, Agnello says LCDAS is difficult to use, resulting in many high-risk dogs being pulled out of Miami-Dade. She says, “For me, it’s about rescue. It’s not about turning puppies. It’s about saving something that needs to be taken care of.”

Others, like Victoria Frazier, come in his defense. Frazier, who founded Love is Fur Ever 13 years ago, says, “Compared to any other animal shelter we work with, Lee County is by far the best.”

Agnello says, “I just feel like the dogs in Lee County are not getting a fair chance, and their results reports and euthanasia numbers prove it.”

In 2018, Lee County euthanized 31% of its intake from cats and 18% of its intake from dogs. In 2021, by the end of May, the euthanasia rate decreased to 29% for cats and 13% for dogs.
Some agencies consider a euthanasia rate of less than 10% to be “no-kill” accommodation.

Lee County Assistant Manager Marc Mora oversees LCDAS. He says the county’s live release dates are their focus. He says, “Live release dates look at the number of animals you take with you and the numbers you let your agency leave your agency. So you will be partners in the shelter. You go to adoptions. Us” At around 88%, so when if you look at the whole state, that’s a bit above average.

Agnello says, “I don’t know what their live release meeting is, but their adoption numbers are nowhere near any other animal shelters. And their kill rate is higher.”

Says Frazier, “The only reason Lee County will ever euthanize the dog is because it harms everyone. His behavior is so bad it could hurt someone. This is not a responsibility Lee County should take on itself.” And the other is that they cannot be helped medically. Yes, we are taking in some severe cases, but they cannot be helped. So instead of seeing them suffer from what they are going through, euthanize them humanely. “

In a 2015 newsletter from LCDAS, the “no-kill puzzle” was addressed. At that time, the average annual intake was approximately 5,000 cats and 5,000 dogs. The newsletter indicates that in addition to its function as an adoption agency, it also serves as an animal control authority. Says Mora, “In Lee County we have an ordinance that governs the way we work, and it depends on two things: animal welfare, but also ensuring public safety. I can’t speak for the other counties.”

Miami-Dade County, where both rescues in this story came from, had an euthanasia rate of 8% for cats and 3% for dogs for 2020.

In the same pandemic year, Lee County had 26% for cats and 18% for dogs.

Pinellas County is closer to Lee County in terms of population. In 2020, their animal services recorded a euthanasia rate of 21% in cats and 13% in dogs.

According to Mora, the county’s numbers are improving thanks to the partnerships that grow every year. He adds, “There was advertising on the back of Lee Tran vehicles and Lee buses. We have a very robust social media presence. And I would also like to mention special events. “

If you are interested in pet adoption or care, visit Lee County Domestic Animal Services, Love is Fur Ever, or Helping Paws 22.

See similar https://www.fox4now.com/news/local-news/southwest-florida-animal-shelter-criticized-for-euthanasia-rates

The post Animal shelter in southwest Florida criticized for euthanasia rates first appeared on Daily Florida Press.

from Daily Florida Press https://dailyfloridapress.com/animal-shelter-in-southwest-florida-criticized-for-euthanasia-rates/