Humane Society understaffed, money squandered, protest group says
By KEVIN CONNOR, SUN MEDIA
The Toronto Humane Society is abusing animals and misspending money donated for their care, protesters said outside the facility yesterday.
"They leave animals neglected and dying in cages," said Melanie Laking.
"The THS doesn't have enough frontline staff to meet the minimum standard of care for the animals and hundreds of thousands of dollars of donated money is being squandered on things like court costs. People donate to put food in the mouths of hungry animals and not ... to pay lawyers' fees."
The group also says animals are forced to sit in their own excrement and go without access to water.
"The THS is also interfering with vets doing their jobs," said Laking, pointing to a memo from THS president Tim Trow.
The memo reads: "Ensure that practitioners communicate with their shelter management prior to taking any significant course of action, including obtaining concurrence as regards euthanasia, operations and anaesthesia."
Laking says some vets have resigned because they felt they were violating their professional oaths by working there.
Danielle Just-McCarthy adopted her one-eyed dog, Kippie, from the Humane Society.
"The THS rescued him and we rescued him from them. The cages were full of urine and feces, and I was not impressed. Kippie wouldn't be here today if he stayed there much longer," Just-McCarthy said.
The group's allegations are outlandish, said THS spokesman Ian McConachie.
"The pets are not mistreated and we deny any neglect. The THS is also a hospital and there are a lot of animals receiving treatment. Sometimes a patient doesn't look so good, but we hope for a full recovery for all of them," McConachie said.
"Most of these people are former THS employees who were let go and have a grudge. They are using the animals as a political tool."
