Schwarzenegger Wants Strays Killed Faster

[ribbon]

Schwarzenegger Wants Strays Killed Faster

Fri Jun twenty-fifth

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites) wants to repeal a state law that requires animal shelters to hold stray dogs and cats for up to six days before killing them.

Instead, there would be a three-day requirement for strays. Other animals, including birds, hamsters, potbellied pigs, rabbits, snakes and turtles, could be killed immediately.

Schwarzenegger has told the state Legislature that the changes could save local governments that operate shelters up to $fourteen million.

An estimated six hundred thousand dogs and cats are put to death each year in California, including thirty-four thousand in Los Angeles alone.

The waiting period has caused overcrowding and forced some shelters to kill off animals simply to make room for new ones, said H.D. Palmer, a spokesman for the state Department of Finance.

"Because of space limitations, the shelters are being forced to euthanize animals who are otherwise highly adoptable immediately after the holding time," Palmer said.

Despite Schwarzenegger's huge popularity, some political observers think the proposal will meet stiff resistance.

"There is no organized constituency of cats and dogs, but certainly the pet owners of America will find this reprehensible," said Barbara O'Connor, director of the Institute for the Study of Politics and Media at California State University, Sacramento.

"Cats and dogs are like mom and apple pie," she said. "Don't mess with the pets. Most people prefer them to other people."

The nineteen ninety-eight law is named for former state Sen. Tom Hayden, who said the governor's proposal "will inflict heartbreak on a lot of owners and people in the animal adoption world."

:reallymad That's what happens when you elect The Terminator as the governator :ohboy :muhaha.

Seriously, I hope he reconsidered.

[Vicks]

Ribbon not sure if you ever saw a show on HBO but there was a documentary that was done called "Shelter Dogs" If you go to HBO.com you can find the synopsis of the show.

It was about a woman, very very respected woman, who runs a shelter in Upstate NY. She beleives that the "NO-Kill" Policy, isn't a good policy, because thousands of animals:

:bullet Can't and never will be adopted for various reasons

:bullet those that do not get adopted spend years upon years in kennels in a box, where eventually they just run around chassing their tails

I saw this show, and came away with mixed feelings, because I agree with her to an extent, but at the same time I agree not killing animals is a good thing. But what do you do? What is the solution. I don't know if a "governor" is qualified to make the decision, but I do know, that if I had to spend years in a box, I would probably go a little nutty myself.

Vicks

[Jasella]

How outrageous! we dont kill STRAY HUMANS... Why shouldnt animals recieve the same treatment as humans do, after all they were here LONG before US.. If the earth belongs to anyone, it's to them... DISGUSING news!

[Sylphlover]

:ummm

Well, I think the decision to kill strays quicker is stupid. I am :mad about even the thought of it.

Vicks:
I can see what the woman was saying. Although I don't believe any humans or animals should suffer, I do think they should be given the chance to be adopted.

I think the answer lies in more of the educating people about getting their animals fixed therefore, we would prevent more animals to even be subject to these consideration.

People are so irresponsible in my not so humble opinion. In my job I see too many biological parents having kids and then abusing and neglecting them. But then someone like me who can't have children and would of course not be the perfect parent but not abuse or neglect..

Then someone says well why don't you adopt and unfortunately my past with the ED and treatment centers probly would prevent me from adopting. Meanwhile the kids are getting neglected and abused.

The world just makes no sense sometimes, huh???

[ribbon]

Jasella said:
How outrageous! we dont kill STRAY HUMANS...


:muhaha :muhaha That's the funniest line I've heard all day! Thanks for the actual laugh out loud!

:hugonvicks:hugoff Unfortunately I don't get HBO and not sure if I would have watched it because I have almost no tolerance for watching or hearing about animals being abused, neglected, mistreated, suffering. I can't stomach being more informed, as I am on other causes I care about.
I know in some cities and towns they have wonderful no kill shelters run by volunteers and private donations.
I just think three days (and six days too) is way too short of a time to try to get an animal adopted or to find out if someone lost their animal. I say this as I pet my :kitkat who's asleep right next to me.

[Vicks]

ED and treatment centers probly would prevent me from adopting

Off topic, but Slypover why would you feel that way?

Back to topic:
This woman in upstate NY keeps animals for a month at least if not longer, and she hates to see them suffer. For her, she is a "realist" I think Schwartzenager's idea is way way to short. But there are animals, who won't get adopted.

The sad things it the same reasons animals don't get adopted are the same reasons kids don't get adopted. They are "to old" or "have a physical and/or mental problem"

I think Slypover - you made the best point, if only people would fix there animals.

I have two cats, I love dearly and in general I love animals, but I don't know if I would want to see animal locked up in a box of a room, of a room for the rest of their lives. This woman also pointed out one other thing, that these animals who end up in the general shelters, never have any peace and quiet, meaning they are in a box of a room, where they are surrounded by other animals barking, and barking.

Vicks

[Seaside]

the real problem lies with animals not getting fixed. therefore they have lots of puppies or kittens (because unlike humans, they can't have just one!) and they have no where to go.

there are programs out there- who trap and neuter stray cats- then release them again. thus cutting down on the procreation.

i don't like to "advertise" web sites but i invite any of you animal lovers to check out http://www.bestfriends.com i think you'll absolutely love what they're all about.

[Seaside]

ha! i just double checked that the website address was correct and wouldn't you know they have an update on schwarzanegger- he backed down from his plan...

[shortstop]

Not only do people have to get their animals fixed, they also MUST put ID tags on their animals. I have a strictly indoor kitty, but he still has an ID tag just in case.
I'm glad he has backed down on this issue. I think that there must be a better solution to the problem. (As a Cali girl, I really hope so.)

[meow]

Question: What harm do stray animals do to anyone?

If an animal is sick, in pain, aggressive, likely to spread disease- okay put it down.

The money would be better spent educating people to take care of their animals, prosecute for animal neglect and cruelty, vacinating and neutering strays.

[shortstop]

I don't think he proposed that idea becasue he felt strays did anyone any harm but because it costs so much to take care of them. He's trying to find ways to take care of the budget Gray Davis butchered into a thousand little pieces. He (Arnold) is trying to do some good with animals, though. He is in favor of getting ferrets legalized!

[Catherose]

I've always found it so funny that ferrets need to be legalized here.

I absolutely love animals, but I understand what a financial crisis California is in. If the money saved could help fund health care or education, I'd reluctantly agree to it. Three days seems really short though... not enolugh time neccessarily for someone to claim their animal.

[Shauna]

I'm glad that Arnie changed his mind. Otherwise, he'd have to pray each day he wouldn't get lose or he'd be put down after three days instead of six. :sarcasm