Below is copy/paste of article in Toronto star. This shelter was closed last year due to a ring-worm infection – the OSPCA euthanized 99 animals rather than treat them. It created a huge public outcry. Now the shelter is being refurbished with taxpayer dollars.

So, question: Is this how a shelter should be run? Is this retrofitting necessary? Will the plush environment be appreciated by the dogs and cats? And finally, will all this spending result in more responsible pet ownership?

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Quote:

A small group of animal rights activists gathered in frigid temperatures Thursday, demanding an investigation into spending at Newmarket’s OSPCA headquarters.

About 20 demonstrators — with two security guards looking on — waved signs that read, “OSPCA = $$$ Animals = 0” and “Renovations, not ringworm the real reason for closing.” They wore pins to remember 99 animals euthanized after a virulent ringworm outbreak in May which left the facility mired in controversy.

Officials initially said 350 animals would have to be put down, but reversed their decision, funneling 96 into foster care.

The shelter has been closed ever since, first to get rid of any remnants of disease, then to implement planned renovations and restructuring.

It should be fully operational within the month, said Alison Cross, OSPCA spokeswoman. This time with a new name: OSPCA Provincial Education and Animal Centre.

Some animals have been housed in trailers around the back of the building during its closure, others were forwarded to nearby shelters.

“We have taken these last 10 months very seriously, implementing new policies and procedures to be sure we are never dealing with a spread of disease like we did,’ said Cross. “Everything we do is to better animal welfare.”

Critics say “thousands of dollars have been squandered to have a luxurious facility with state of the art technology which does little to help the animals.”

Most notably, they have taken issue with the addition of a dog spa and grooming centre, the use of flat-screen TVs, and a decrease in the capacity to house animals.

Renovation costs have totalled about 0,000, according to Cross. This includes new floors, plumbing, sinks, stainless steel cages and the replacement of any wood products. Much of this is to prevent the spread of disease, now spelled out in the agency’s new infectious disease training manual,, which will be implemented in 14 centres across the province.

Lynn Perrier, founder of Reform Advocates for Animal Welfare (RAAW), is a fierce critic of how the shelter handled the ringworm outbreak and its aftermath.

“What they’re doing is organizing a business to make money,” she said.

Perrier wants the government to not only investigate the operation and management of the OSPCA but also revoke the OSPCA’s charity status and replace its board of governors.

Many feel the shelter has lost sight of its mandate to care for and protect animals. They want to know how exactly the money was spent and why the shelter was closed for so long.

“I think they’ve lost their way in that this is about animals and not people,” said Kelli Polsinelli, 43.

“We don’t need luxuries in shelters, we need safe, warm places for these animals to go,” she added.

Cross said the shelter has taken ownership of their past mistakes and is moving forward. Their new programs and services help, “save more animals than we have ever been able to before,” she said.

That includes an affordable spay and neuter centre, designed so that fewer animals end up in shelters, as well as a program Cross likens to online dating called “meet-your-match,” which helps pair potential owners with dogs and cats. An education centre will share information and programs with other animal welfare organizations “to help them find homes for animals and save more lives.”

As for the dog spa and grooming centre, it will help bring more traffic into the facility, and in turn, hopefully facilitate more adoptions, said Cross, adding all proceeds go back to the animals. The flat-screen TVs are intended to be used for educational purposes.

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/948372–controversy-still-dogs-newmarket-ospca

Yes, well, I’m really discouraged reading this. If there was ever a case for a board to be replaced with new management – this is it. I want to vomit reading this and think I will send a letter to them. And as far as the ringworm – I was sickened by that. To call yourself a protector of animals and then euthanize when its not cost effective without even SEEKING outside help or advice- this is not what people donate money for. Its hard to comprehend. Alternate universe is right.
@Love: Actually, at the time the ring-worm thing was happening, another shelter was on the news, and stated they HAD dealt with such an infestation (similar scale) And they did not euthanize. So it most certainly is possible to manage an outbreak. To put in perspective its a fungus – not rabies!

Worth noting is this OSPCA planned to kill the entire lot (350+ animals) and only stopped when the entire city revolted on them. It was unconscionable. This recent news of lavish retrofit is bizzare.