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Why did Remington die at Houston SPCA?
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Click for info on Crowder
Remington, an eighteen month old Miniature Schnauzer at the HSPCA, was scheduled for retrieval by the Mini Schnauzer Rescue of Houston. Sadly, the next morning, Wednesday, November 4, 2009, the HSPCA euthanized him just two hours before the MSRH's Sherry Eitel arrived to get him. The HSPCA regularly contacts the MSRH to come a get Mini Schnauzers they have acquired. Remington was a heart worm positive owner surrender who would have been fostered, rehabbed and placed in a new home, had he lived.
Click here for info on Evan
The first official misstep in Remington's story starts with the HSPCA holding him for 8 days before notifying MSRH. The dog had been labeled unadoptable upon arrival due to his status as "Owner Surrender (OS)" and Heart worm Positive (H/W+). HSPCA normally calls MRSH immediately in such cases. MSRH will come any get any of their dogs to save them from the fate that awaits them. Ms. Eitel states, "Once MSRH is contacted the minis is transported within 12 hours … and
I can verify that because I do transports." When HSPCA did finally phone after an unexplained 8-day delay, Ms. Eitel immediately put a hold on Remington and one other Mini Schnauzer at the facility, scheduling to pick them up the following morning at 11 a.m. When she arrived the second Mini was waiting for her, but Remington was not.
Click for info on Gus
HSPCA states that Remington was euthanized at 9:00 a.m. What happened between the evening of November 3rd when MSRH was told they could have the dog, and the morning of November 4th that resulted in Remington's death?
Click for info on Heath
We may say this is just one dog. But for every one we hear about, how many others die in anonymity? Why isn't the Houston SPCA a no-kill shelter? Why is there a sign on the wall that states "We do not euthanize because of lack of space", when Ms. Eitel was told, "He was euthanized because he was h/w positive and they needed the space."
Click for info on Mack
I have not mentioned the names of any individuals at the HSPCA because this is not the fault of one person. Many staff people were involved in this matter. It is a systemic problem and it is one that goes beyond HSPCA. But the question must be asked: What is the HSPCA doing to find our how this sort of thing can happen to as innocent animal in their care?
In many animal welfare organizations the default is always Euthanization when it could so easily become No-Kill.
To the right and below you see photos of Mini Schnauzers, Crowder, Evan, Heath, Gus, Mack and Oscar, who are currently available for adoption from MSRH. This is a wonderful Houston organization that works hard to save and re-home Miniature Schnauzers. Each one has a link to his or her info on line. Remington could have had his photo on line and gone to a forever home.
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Click for info on Oscar
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