It is essential for local humane organizations to meet the needs of animals in our communities effectively and compassionately.
To create positive change, it’s important to understand what to expect from your local humane agencies.
Expectations for Local Humane Agencies Animal shelters get funding from both public and private sources.
Poor conditions in a shelter often come from a lack of funding rather than a lack of compassion.
A humane shelter should:
– Be a safe haven for every animal in its care.
– Provide humane treatment for all stray and surrendered animals.
A shelter’s mission should include:
– Preventing animal cruelty and suffering.
– Enforcing animal protection laws, especially if they work with local animal control.
– Promoting humane principles in the community.
What to Do if You See Abuse or Neglect at a Shelter.
If you see or know about abusive or neglectful conditions at an animal shelter, document your observations carefully.
Keep a detailed journal with dates, locations, and specific problems.
Take photographs or videos as evidence.
While it’s best to work with the shelter staff to improve conditions, sometimes that isn’t possible.
If staff or management won’t discuss ways to help animals, you should escalate the issue.
Contact the agencies that oversee the shelter and share your documentation.
This may include the sheriff’s department, city council, mayor, or city manager.
Also, check with your state’s Department of Agriculture about oversight of the shelter.
Animal Victory does not investigate complaints, so it is vital that local authorities take the matter seriously.
Be aware of any state and local laws that may apply.
To find local ordinances, reach out to your city council or local humane organization, visit your library, or look online at
www.municode.com
For cases where state anti-cruelty laws might have been broken, Animal Victory relies upon the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s website for information on criminal animal cruelty cases.
