Minnesota Cats will be Safer Due to Challenge to Humane Society Policy

[Mike Fry]

Though the Animal Humane Society would like their donors, members and supporters to believe otherwise, the dramatic shift that is taking place regarding impound services in the metro area has not been at the request of the humane society. Instead, the shift that is currently taking place is the result of dozens of municipalities in and around the metro area evaluating complaints about the illegal killing of stray animals at the humane society and, as a result, canceling their contracts there.

The title of the article on the Humane Society web site reads, "AHS cancels feral cat contracts with local municipalities, continues to take in companion strays". The headline suggests the shift that is taking place it at the request of the "humane society". That is not true. Furthermore, the headline indicates the organization had "feral cat contracts" which, according to Animal Ark's investigation, is also not true.

At the end of 2009, AHS HAD impound contracts with about 2 dozen cities. Stray animals (as defined by Minnesota statutes) would be brought to the organization, where, according to law, they had to be held for a minimum of 5 business days. State law makes no distinction between "feral" or "stray" animals. Additionally, without knowing an animal's background and history, it is virtually impossible to differentiate terrified pets from feral animals.

In spite of the fact that laws require fee-roaming domestic animals be treated as strays, and held for 5 days at impound centers, the humane society has been killing hundreds of "strays" on arrival and justifying doing so by labeling animals as "feral", a term that is not even defined in State law.

In November of 2009, concerns about these illegal practices were brought to the attention of municipalities that contract with AHS, which has remained unwilling to bring their practices and policies in alignment with State law. As a result, large numbers of cities have begun canceling their impound contracts with the humane society. Alternative contract providers, including St. Paul Animal Control and Hillcrest Animal Hospital, both of which are working hard to handle large influxes of impound contract requests, comply with the 5-day hold required by State law for all stray animals.

Contracts are still being negotiated. However, by February, it is expected that all stray animals in and around the Twin Cities will have safe places to go, at facilities that comply with all relevant laws.

Once the dust settles, and contracts have been finalized, Animal Ark will publish a new list of impound centers for cities in and around the Twin Cities.

For more information about this issue, please see the following:

Animal Humane Society Agrees to Stop Illegally Killing Cats - Somet...

Chronology of the Stray Cat Dispute

Summary of Legal Arguments in Stray Cat Dispute

[Thomas Cole]

These are the small victories that keep us going, Mike. You've done a great thing. As a rescuer I have to remember that I can't save them all. To the few I do, I know how much of a difference it has made. You've saved a lot with this first step. And now the community is beginning to see the "little man behind the curtain." The AHS days are numbered if they continue on this ruthless path. Fine work, Mike!

[Mike Fry]

I want to add a small foot note to this story...

While it is excellent news that cities are moving their impound contracts to other sources where animals will be safer than they have been at Animal Humane Society, many animals are still at risk. AHS accepts stray animals from the general public at all five of their shelters. Officially, AHS has stated they will no longer "accept" feral cats under their contracts with cities, they have made no such statement about cats brought in to their shelters by members of the public. I have no choice to conclude, therefore, that stray cats brought to AHS by members of the public will still be subjected to the outlandish, same-day evaluation that has caused the to kill hundreds of cats annually on arrival.

We can celebrate a partial victory today. However, the issue of AHS illegal killing of stray animals is far from over.