Support Your Local No Kill Shelter
My daughter who lives in Ft. Worth found a starving young female dog a week ago Friday. After much loving attention and care, she had no option but to take her to the North Texas Humane Society, after being assured that "Hope" would not be euthanised without FIRST contanting my daughter. This was not the case. Within less 12 hours, this sweet dog was put down. One of the reasons given was that "Large, black & white dogs are hard to place." Our whole family is mourning the death of Hope. My daughter had found a good home for her and attempted to return to the Humane Society to go through the adoption process, but it was too late. Is there any Texas law that states the amount of time an animal can be kept before being put to death? Hope spent a week being around a one year old and a two year old, without ever showing any signs of aggression. She also allowed my daughter to handle her food while she was eating. This act on the part of Ft. Worth's shelter was inhumane and cruel. Please give me some advice about what steps we could take to spare another animal from being killed so quickly.
Thank you.
Sincerely, Susan Hildebrand
Susan, the process will vary from state to state and even within the state based on various local and county regulations.
I contacted the North Texas Humane Society and this is their response to your inquiry:
"The Humane Society of North Texas is the only open door shelter left in North Texas, that means we never turn away any animal in need. Sadly because of the volume of unwanted animals in our community, we cannot be both an open door shelter and a no kill shelter since no matter how hard we try the number of people coming to adopt is nowhere close to the number wanting to get rid of pets.
We hold all found animals for a minimum of three days in our lost and found area to give owners a chance to reclaim them, unless the animal is so ill or injured that holding it would cause too great suffering. On owner released animals decisions are made immediately as to whether an animal will make our adoption program. Decisions are based on temperament, health and on space available in the adoption area. Animal not selected for adoption can be euthanized the same day.
Everyone releasing an animal to us signs a release stating that euthanasia is a possibility and can be immediate, though many prefer not to know. We wish that we could find loving homes for each and every surrendered pet, sadly our community produces more pets than available homes so until more people spay and neuter and treat pets as a lifetime commitment, euthanasia will continue to be a painful fact of life."
Humane Society of North Texas Southwest Adoption Center
I am not sure if this is an answer to your question.
I suggest you contact them directly for further clarification of their policies.
This is another reason to support your local “no-kill” shelter.
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