Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Dear SM

I am not sure what blog you read but there is clearly a disconnect between what you think I meant and what I actually meant. 1.) We have been doing the same thing in America for over 100 years and the number one cause of death of companion animals is still euthanasia. 2.) If people demand changes and give based on those demands, groups will change what they do. 3.) No one has worked harder to support humane society staff people. I understand that they are grossly under paid and very much underappreciated but and a very big but, the many organizations have lots of money. You name one large society and I will give you the rest of the story. Organizations and bureaucracies never change on their own; all real changes start with individuals. 4.) Many people who rescue animals keep them in deplorable condition which only satisfies their lack of ethics. Quite frankly, these people are not rescuing anything but their own personal weakness. 5.) Having spayed and neutered over 150,000 animals, having set up two international teaching hospitals, and having adopted hundreds of pets each year through my non-profit, I really don’t think I am unrealistic or ignoring anything. Clearly, if you are for the status quo, you are the one in fact that may be unrealistic and ignoring the facts. We, you, and others can make a difference by demanding it from the groups that we support. For example, why is it that the DDFL does far less spays and neuters than we do at PPP, Inc. Their budget is at least 3 times ours and we are a for-profit company? Why is it you accept groups that will kill a whole room of cats because one or two might have ringworm? Or let’s see why do people have to give their dog up to some humane society because it has a broken leg where it will most likely be put to sleep? Now those organizations could send that dog to me and instead of being charged $2,000 - $4,000 at some other veterinarian, or putting the dogs to sleep, I would charge $100 - $600 and get the dog fixed and back into its household. However, under normal circumstances the dog is euthanized and the dog is simply replaced because other veterinarians are too expensive and humane groups act like they don’t have the money. No, you tell me what is right and what is wrong. Sorry, follow the money and you will find your answer. The only thing that can cause real permanent change is education and sterilization. If we continue to treat companion animals as though they have no value other that what they can be sold for then, we will keep killing millions each year forever. We will lie about the real numbers and use terms like, “we only put to sleep unadoptable animals.” Yeah let’s keep the status quo. Better yet, I suggest that we shake up the status quo, right down to its financial roots. You decide what team you want to be on, I already have.

3 comments:

  1. You should be ashamed of yourself for bashing your colleagues. There is definitely a need for the type of service that your hospital provides because I don't believe that lower income families should be deprived the love of a pet. However, there is certainly a difference in the level and safety of the service you provide compared to other hospitals. You should be educating your clients about the differences, instead of trying to make it seem like everyone else is out to rip people off. Fluid therapy and anesthesia monitoring is the standard of care in this day and age! Maybe it is time for you to reread the Veterinarians Oath!

    Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.

    I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.

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  3. ...and make a payment on your expensive German car while you are at it "I'm a vet" right? What ever....PPP provides services that you deem too unprofitable, too below you to take the time to do. If anything I think you sound hypocritical....how many animals have you put down that could have been saved?

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