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Calif. Budget Cuts Means Ax Falls Sooner for Strays

Holding period halved from 6 days to 3; may doom lost pets before owners can find them

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 8, 2009 8:00 AM CDT
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(Newser) – California's budget deal could mean lost family pets meet the Grim Reaper sooner rather than later, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. The deal cuts the time shelters are required to hold animals from six days to three, and officials fear the move could mean animals in shelters lacking resources will be euthanized while owners are still searching for them—and before they can be moved to no-kill shelters or rescue groups.

"It makes a difference because for some animals every day counts," said an official at the Marin Humane Society, which rescues animals from other shelters and tries to find homes for them. "The new law will affect a lot of the shelters that we rescue animals from because, especially in this economy, they are bursting at the seams."

The mandatory holding period before animals can be euthanized has been cut in half at California's animal shelters.
The mandatory holding period before animals can be euthanized has been cut in half at California's animal shelters.   (Shutter Stock)
Pocket pets such as rats and hamsters will likely be the first to be affected by budget cuts at animal shelters, officials say.
"Pocket pets" such as rats and hamsters will likely be the first to be affected by budget cuts at animal shelters, officials say.   (©adria.richards)
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People should have the opportunity and the time to properly search for a lost pet and be reunited. This law minimizes the amount of time a guardian has to find their lost pet.
- Jan McHugh-Smith,
president of San Francisco SPCA

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
Spudsy
Sep 9, 2009 4:15 AM CDT
So send donations. There are hundreds of charities to help animals.
Snarfeh
Sep 8, 2009 8:47 AM CDT
Altered dogs *and* cats roam less, but more importantly, they don't keep making more pets to be dropped off by the roadside. I think it's likely that most vets recommend it, but the cost is prohibitive. What the vets are most likely failing to do is to inform their clients of less expensive alternatives, such as the Humane Society and other low-cost spay and neuter clinics. Then you have the uneducated numbnuts who think their dog *must* have his balls to be a "real" dog. I can't even count on both hands how many times, at animal events, I have heard men say "My dog's ball ain't going nowhere" as if the dog's balls and theirs are attached. Rescue groups nationwide work very hard to change as many shelters as possible to no-kill. And obviously, if your pet goes missing, check the shelter first and check daily.
schmidtkoff
Sep 8, 2009 5:49 AM CDT
sorry odowd - animals are the innocents. they have no party affiliation. they just adore their caretaker. it is not a red or blue question. they are loyal to a fault. god bless 'em.
US

 
pets • California • euthanasia • Humane Society • animal shelters • state budgets • recession depression

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