- Image by Paraflyer via Flickr
There has been a lot of talk about privatizing Chicago’s Animal Care and Control (ACC) over the past year, no doubt due to operational costs. Many cities are divesting what they can in an attempt to trim budgets. ACC’s Director, Cherie Travis, had made it her mission to take ACC no-kill in three to five years, according to a Facebook page. But given this undercover report (video below) from WGN’s Marcella Raymond, I have to ask - do we have another out of control Toronto Humane on our hands here?
There have been rumblings about unhappy staff, volunteers, and too few vets for months. How were they filling the medical void when the long time head Vet got fired for putting a dog down by mistake; other vets had either left or were fired. Were replacements at the ready? How many vets were on the premises after that? One? None? Hard to keep count and difficult to tease out the truth and sequence of events, but now that some fresh air is blowing through ACC, maybe others will step forward and provide a better picture of what’s been happening there.
We know that budget cuts have been so ridiculous that it was clear ACC would not be equipped to care for animals properly without outside assistance. Then, of course, the absurdity of fingerprinting volunteers inserts itself into this mix, followed on the heels of cutbacks to adoption hours that had volunteers up in arms. But budget cuts cannot be used as a scapegoat when cats and dogs with life-threatening illness are mixed in with the general population, or when cats are left on the loading dock for 72 hours in this heat and humidity. And that’s where management is clearly absent.
There are 25,000 animals that go through ACC annually according to this report. One of my many questions to be answered is how long has this been going on? We know that ACC is a tough place to work, but morale there is worse than it ever has been according to insiders. If you want to let those in power know what you think, you can phone the Mayor’s Office and ask for the complaints division.
well that was in *interesting* video. I don't think that privatizing the shelter will help things get better, it will probably make them worse. Hopefully the ACC will get their stuff together for the sake of the animals.
Hi Karen! I don't see privatizing as a solution, either. But there are people who see that happening given the expense and bad press the City gets. It's about management and that includes proper medical care. If an animal is dying in it's cage, WTH – how likely is it this was a one time incident? Not much can be done if leadership isn't what it needs to be.
No, it is as bad as the video and report says, and yes, this is another Toronto Humane. Cherie Travis was a poor choice to run CACC, and she was not the candidate of choice backed by the volunteer organization that supports Chicago Animal Control. She needs to go. She is also a lawyer and adjunct faculty member at DePaul and Northwestern University, she knows that the animal welfare laws in Illinois and she violated them in her management. Call the mayor at 312.744.3300 and let them know. Cherie Travis just doesn't care about the animals. If I were in her shoes, I would be working side by side with my staff until every animal was fed, cleaned and treated. She just walks by and doesn't care. It is that simple. Please help us here in Chicago by calling the mayor and letting them know that this is unacceptable…. 312.744.3300
If i was her, I probably wouldn't have gone to bed until every single animal was properly cared for. It makes me mental when animals can't get food or water, let alone proper medical care.
Let me say that I am so pleased that someone finally cracked and told the story. Thanks so much for sharing your insight with us. I'm also sorry to hear my fears were justified. Hearing bits and pieces of what was going on with no proof to publish is really maddening. The "party line" so often mimicked by some volunteers sounded like a script.. I did not believe a word of it. Thanks for that number to lodge complaints.
I know Travis was not the candidate of choice for many in the animal community either; well- reputed long time professionals in animal welfare phoned the Mayor's office voicing objections, but she was installed thanks to politics. There were far more qualified candidates who applied, people with credibility, expertise, and good working relations in the industry. As an aside, I don't know where the reporter got the background info that Travis is "the co-founder" of CASA, as I don't recall seeing her name on that document. I could be wrong, but there were not all that many of us at that time. May be on her resume.
And I think I can safely say that most people I know would be walking the aisles, cleaning and taking notes and rearranging if that's what it took to get the job done.Thanks again Volunteer!
Great post Mary. I have an outsider's perspective on this but it seems like they are saying all the correct things for the public but are setting up the facility to fail. I work in the animal care field too and believe in the no kill philosophy. That being said, If 25k animals are going through the doors of ACC each year then how could they deal with the logistics of being a no kill? The numbers seem to high for practical purposes. Like to hear more of your thoughts on this one. Thanks.
Hi Chris. There's only so much "spin" people can attempt before the truth leaks out. I saw today some news about a NY sheter muzzling its volunteers, having them sign away their right to free speech. Sheesh. __ Transport is the way of industry now, and not just locally. You've got to have a good network of people you trust and vice versa to work across the US this way and building that can take time – it also takes clear consistent communication. But this is one of many tools that help offer the best hope to keep adoptable animals alive for a possible placement. There are many tools available to increase save rates. I think I'll have to do a post on this now:)
To answer your question directly about 25k and the possibilities…I think there will always be dogs that need to be euthanized for end of life, and mental or physical health reasons. But I also think that if you use all available tools that many shelters use you can get achieve record save rates. What you can't do is withhold medical euthanasia or operate without transparency and without a plan. I'll try to get that post out by the end of the week to answer your question more fully.
That's an impressively in-depth report. Getting information to the public is a first step in resolving these situations. Thanks for sharing this; the more people know that they're going to be held accountable, the less they'll be able to work under cover of the assumption that know one will find them out.
That is exactly what is so frustrating. Volunteers are subject to emotional blackmail that if they talk about conditions to anyone they will be taken off the volunteer list. People can't buy into that kind of mind game. Report it to anyone who will listen, offer proof, and the process of cleaning up a mess can be accomplished.
Remaining silent is deadly, as we have seen here, in Toronto (and across history). The fear that runs through all such stories is baffling when it comes to volunteers. I get that people don't want to lose their jobs, but get out and get another one secured in another facility. Your own health will suffer working in such conditions.
There is a way to defend animals needing help and maintain your free speech without bringing down a lawsuit on yourself. Stand up for what you know is right. Report neglect and abuse to all the managers and the head of the organization. If nothing changes, report it to media. Go volunteer elsewhere. Oh boy – I'm still really wound up about this…sorry for the rant, Edie, and thanks for lending your voice to this conversation.
Having volunteered at a shelter for many, many years, I find this absolutely and utterly appalling. I can only imagine how frustrating it must have been for you and others to hear the rumors, but not be able to substantiate. I am sure the volunteers and staff were equally frustrated by this treatment of animals that they made a choice to care for. I am in support of no-kill shelters, but if animals are left in these conditions it is almost worse than euthanizing them.
Thank you for exposing this to the world Mary. Truth has a way of finding it's way to those who can do something. I hope this will bring some drastic change, and soon, for the sake of the animals.
Yes, you can't post conjecture…well, of course you *can* but that's any easy road to crushing any credibility you may have. So you just sit there feeling like a hostage, waiting for the story to break hoping it will. I think it is unconscionable to leave a sick animal in a cage to die and they are much better off ending their suffering – that's the true meaning of euthanization. I don't sit on the side of those who would twist no kill into a religious effort. Some dogs/cats need to be put down and that is just a fact.
According to a letter Steve Dale received from a shelter worker who asked to remain anonymous (tho Steve has the person's name of course) no animals are allowed to be put down without the director's say so, and consequently animals have languished and died a painful death. WTH is that? Here's a short, fair-use excerpt and then of course you'll go read Steve's blog:)
"She will not allow staff to euthanize a severally injured and/or sick animal without consulting her first, getting her OK, and then ONLY after attempting every medical treatment option…animals are then being treated in the same pavilions that house healthy animals…disease WILL spread!She has called staff lazy, incompetent, stupid, not knowing their jobs…she screams these things at her subordinates.. She has not allowed staff to euthanize sever[]ly aggressive dogs, some of which were involved in serious bites to little kids. She wants those dogs assessed and then sent to rescue."
Many groups don't go to ACC to get dogs anymore – can you blame them.? I have seen her in action at CASA board meetings before she became director. I can say I am not surprised – at all – by this person's description of her actions and believe it is without exaggeration. I understand that is hard to believe. Most people don't act this way and why anyone accepts such behavior is beyond explanation. Read the rest here: http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/steve-dale-pet-wo…
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Woof! Woof! Yes we saw this in the new. Very Surprised that an Animal Shelter located in Chicago (we are from the North Shore). I believe that the shelter is getting some help from Paws members. Thanks for sharing. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
Hi, Sugar, and welcome. We like goldens:) Paws was formed with an intention to work with CACC by taking their adoptable animals, and only tangentially with the general public so there is no new or different assistance happening. The problem of the abuse and neglect that was caught on tape is not that not enough animals are taken by other shelters as recently stated; rather it's incompetence of animal management and apparent refusal to euthanize terminally ill and suffering animals, which has nothing to do with no kill philosophy. Thanks for stopping by!
Mary – If this is indeed true and the woman wouldn’t let any animal be put down without her permission than she is a fool and not someone who should be in charge of any shelter or business. The reality is that delegation needs to happen. The reality also is that some dogs and cats do need to be euthanized. I hate that it has to happen, but when a dog or cat is already dying, or in so much pain that it is cruel to keep them alive, then it is more humane to let them go peacefully.
She sounds like the worst boss anyone could possibly have. Some people are just not meant to be leaders. Period. She is a perfect example.
Thanks Mary. No easy solutions or easy choices but I think it’s time to stop making and defending bad choices. Looking forward to your posts.
You're welcome, and no, none of this is easy, especially given that so many only get the sound bite version of what the facts are. As you have seen on your own blog, there are lots of missing details that would change the picture for many if they were aware of them. Silence is no way to support abused animals, nor is ignoring facts when they don't suit your version of reality.
Mary:
I am surprised at your comments. I work with a shelter who pulls from CACC. I know firsthand that the director does not interfere with medical euthanasia. I saw her help intake a sick dog that was immediately euthanized. She never one made any type of comment. She called the medical staff. Isn't that why the shelters have vets? I have yet to see any vet from the building come forward and claim she is stopping the euthanasias. Do you have PROOF instead of gossip?
Aren't you with LakeShore? I find it really problematic that you would point the finger at other shelters. I thought CASA members pledged not to point fingers at each other. Isn't that what you are doing? And, I wonder… does LakeShore help CACC at all? If overcrowding is the issue, why don't you help?
I have yet to see actual proof of anything. Travis may have a strong personality, and I am sure that rubs some people the wrong way. But, I see all these allegations and no evidence.
Before I answer your assertions, I must say since it is not your job on the line, why are you hiding your identity? It makes me wonder about the courage of your convictions. Don't expect to get your comment approved next time unless you provide your information.
There is no rumor here. The statement about lack of medical euthanasia, was put into a short list of how not to go no-kill. However, a statement was made by a CACC employee in a letter to Steve Dale "no animals are allowed to be put down without the director's say so, and consequently animals have languished and died a painful death." You would know this if you had read just a couple of comments and responses further than my response to Chris Dignan. This is also on the video – I suggest you listen to the report from WGN again.
There is no "no slam" rule, Travis herself stood in the way of it as I recall, bandying about terms like "Hitler" "trying to stifle free speech", etc. CACC is a taxpayer funded facility–not a private shelter. And abuse can't be allowed to go forward in any case. …contd
…cont'd But what about the dead and dying animals placed next to healthy animals, that doesn't bother you? Animals who need euthanization are languishing in their cages does nothing for you? You are just concerned with how many animals Lake Shore is taking? That I am pointing fingers at another "shelter"? And if you see no proof after the documents shown on the video report from WGN, and the dead cat in his or her cage…I can't help you if you want to keep your eyes closed.
I say put the B—- in a cage and let her go hungry and get sick and see how she likees to be ignored!!!!