Shelter Inspection
One of the principle purposes of our humane organization is to inspect private
and public animal shelters and evaluate the shelter design and operations at
each facility, a service we have been providing the citizens of Louisiana for the
past twenty years. I recently toured the Vermilion Parish Rabies Control Shelter
and have compiled our findings for your review. For brevity's sake, we have
concentrated our report to three main areas of concern: length of
impoundment, method of euthanasia, and housing of felines.
I am hoping that this administration will review our recommendations and act
quickly to address these areas of concern. If there is anything I can to be of
assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at 1-888-6-humane.
Section I: Length of Impoundment/Adoption Procedures
The Vermilion Parish Animal Shelter presently prohibits by statute the adoption of
any dog or cat to an individual. Ordinance No. 2008-0-37, Article VI, 6, which
was adopted on December 8, 2008, reads:
B. Adoption of Dog and Cats by Individuals:
At this time, there is no adoption program in place for individuals. We are
currently working on one with the veterinarians of Vermilion Parish.
Seven months later, there is still no adoption procedure in place to accommodate
the public. Animals that have been unclaimed or are deemed adoptable may be
transferred to the Vermilion Animal Aid, a local non-profit organization, which is
allowed to house animals for an additional 20 days at the same facility.
We recommend that the parish immediately establish an adoption protocol that is
consistent with other shelter's policies throughout Louisiana and the United
States. Furthermore, we recommend that the Rapes Control Board extend the
housing period of stray or unclaimed animals from four to seven working days, to
allow more time for owners to relocate their missing or lost pets. Four days is an
insufficient amount of time for residents to relocate their missing animals if they
are vacationing, traveling, or dealing with emergencies. We recommend the
impoundment period be extended to be consistent with policies at other shelters
in Louisiana and across the country. Allowing an animal to be impounded for
only four days is the shortest period of confinement we have documented.
It appears that because this shelter discourages adoptions to individuals, it has a
very high euthanasia rate, which we believe exceeds the national average for the
southern and northern parts of this country. To support our claim, we would like
to review all records that deal with the housing, adopting, transference of
animals, and euthanasia. Under La. R.S. 44.1 et seq. I am requesting to be
provided with copies of the following documents, specified by year. We are
willing to pay any and all reasonable costs associated with the duplication of
these records:
• From year 2006 to present: number of animals euthanized (please specify by
what method) and provide breakdown of type of animal, age, and breed.
• From year 2006 to present: number of animals reclaimed by owners.
• From year 2006 to present: number of animals transferred to an outside
humane organization.
Section II: Method of Euthanasia
The carbon monoxide chamber has been in poor working condition, according to
reports we have received for many, many months. It appears that the chamber is
tilted and operates at an angle, which also prevents the door from closing or
sealing properly. We strongly believe that this shelter is violating its own
ordinance which states that an animal will be "humanely euthanized," according
to
We have documented evidence that the chamber's door can only be secured by
using a screwdriver as a brace. We have also received multiple reports that
because the chamber is not functioning properly, two cycles of carbon monoxide
gas are used to kill them, instead of one. The use of carbon monoxide in animal
shelters is regulated by state law, and we believe that this shelter is not in full
compliance. We have provided your administration with a copy of said statutes,
with our accompanying questions in bold.
LA RS 2465 (C)(i) requires that “euthanasia methods and procedures must
conform with recommendations outlined in the report of the American Veterinary
Medical Association on Euthanasia.” The AVMA report clearly states: “The use of
injectable euthanasia agents is the most rapid and reliable method of performing
euthanasia. It is the most desirable method.’
The AVMA report also recommends that “inhalant agents NOT be used alone in
animals less than 16 weeks old.” The panel recommended that inhalant agents
not be used alone in animals less than 16 weeks old except to induce loss of
consciousness, followed by the use of some other method to kill the animal.
Question 1: Can this administration show that your employees have not
gassed animals less than 16 weeks of age? If so, please inform us by what
means of euthanasia has been used to accomplish this purpose?
(6) Rapid gas flows can produce a noise that frightens animals. If high flows are
required, the equipment should be designed to minimize noise.
Question 2: What steps, if any, has this shelter and administration taken to
be in compliance with this provision? Please explain.
(7) Animals placed together in chambers should be of the same species, and, if
needed, should be restrained so that they will not hurt themselves or others.
Chambers should not be overloaded and need to be kept clean to minimize
odors that might distress animals subsequently euthanized.
Question 3: Please tell us the average number of animals placed in your
chamber for each cycle.
The AVMA Report states “Carbon Monoxide is acceptable provided that 1) the
personnel using CO must be instructed thoroughly in its use and must
understand its hazards and limitations." LA PS 2465 (C)(2) requires that
“Euthanasia personnel shall attend the Humane Society of the United States
Academy on Euthanasia within one year of the date of employment."
Question 4: Under the Louisiana Public Records Act, La. R.S. 44.1 (et seq.),
please provide us with copies of the following documents: any and all
certificates of attendance and completion of workshops entitled "Humane
Society of the United States Academy on Euthanasia" for any of your
current or former shelter employees, from January, 2004 to present. Please
also provide us with copies of any euthanasia technician certificates for
any current or former shelter employee from January 2004 to present.
AVMA SAYS the CO chamber must be of the highest quality construction and
should allow for separation of individual animals.
Question 5: It appears that the parish has purchased a new carbon
monoxide chamber, but is presently using one that is in disrepair, which
would violate this provision of this state statute. Can you clarify this?
AVMA says "the CO flow rate should be adequate to rapidly achieve a uniform
CO concentration of at least 6% after animals are placed’
Question 6: Can you please provide us with information that this shelter is
in compliance with the AVMA requirement?
"If the chamber is inside a room CO monitors must be placed in the room to warn
personnel of hazardous concentrations.”
Question 7: Can you please share the documentation or proof that your CO
monitors, also called Ecolyzers, are properly installed and functioning?
Question 8: Under the Louisiana Public Records Act, LA. R.S. 44.1 (et seq.),
please provide us with any and all documents that relate to the repair
and/or recalibration of the carbon monoxide chamber from January, 2005
to present. This would include, but not be limited to, all copies of work
orders, repair orders, correspondence to the manufacturer (s), bills for
parts and/or labor.
We have reason to believe that this chamber has been poorly maintained, is not
fully functioning, is outdated, and is a hazard to its employees and all animals
placed in it. We therefore vigorously request that this chamber be discontinued
immediately and that all animals be euthanized by lethal injection from now on.
Like the majority of most humane organizations in this state and around the
country, we are opposed to the use of carbon monoxide chambers to kill
animals. The use of gas chambers to perform mass killings is very reminiscent
to members of the public of the mass extermination of Jews by the Germans. It
is a repugnant image, especially for those of Jewish descent.
Section III: Housing of Felines
We strongly recommend that the parish purchase several new banks of stainless
steel cages to house its adult felines and kittens. Presently, the shelter is using
large cages with wooden frames and wire mess that harbor disease, are
impossible to properly clean and disinfect, and prevent the cats and kittens from
being separated properly. Housing cats in this manner increases the strong
likelihood of cross contamination of disease. We believe that this is an inhumane
method of housing felines and the use of large wire mesh cages should be
immediately discontinued.