A state inspection of the Weld County Humane Society’s shelter concluded that the facility is not a death factory for dogs and cats as portrayed by critics.
Only one noncritical violation was noted: The shelter failed to have on file written agreements for veterinarian services and consultation.
“There may be issues that need to be looked into, but they will need to be done on a local level,” said Keith Roehr, acting state veterinarian. “The guidelines we follow have not been violated.”
Several former employees and volunteers of the shelter claimed scores of animals were being destroyed before they were given a chance to be adopted, prompting an inspection Monday by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
Barb Hines, president of the shelter’s board of directors, said the inspection vindicates the shelter as well as Elaine Hicks, who in January became the facility’s sixth director in six years.
“We are quite confident in Elaine and her staff,” Hines said. “This is not a surprise to us that she is doing such a great job.”
Critics said Hicks was too quick to put animals down and targeted dogs based solely on age, color, breed and health.
Euthanasia procedures were performed without sedation and in front of other animals, and some animals were starved to death, detractors said.
“The staff at WCHS give a sense of an uncaring or cold nature,” said Carrie Terroux, who worked at the shelter as an animal-care technician.
Hicks said the complaints came from well-meaning people who did not understand the shelter’s protocols.
“We have limited kennel and crate space, and it’s a sad fact that not all of these animals are going to make it out alive,” Hicks said.
One procedure has been changed since the accusations first came to light, Hines said. The shelter no longer allows cats to view a euthanasia from another room. “Once this was brought to (Hicks’) attention, she immediately had those cats moved,” Hines said.
During its inspection of the Weld shelter, the Department of Agriculture examined techniques used when an animal is euthanized, holding times for stray animals, timing of veterinary care, and the administration and documentation of medications.
The inspection, released Wednesday, showed the facility complied with American Veterinarian Medical Association guidelines, which do not require animals be sedated in all cases before they are euthanized.
Also, statistics show there are no significant changes in animal-euthanasia cases from 2005, according to the department.
Animals at the shelter are held five to seven days before euthanization, protocol that complies with or goes beyond what is required by the Pet Animal Care Facilities Act, the department noted.
But shelter critic Debora Donohew said that the Department of Agriculture is too lax and that the inspection missed many key shortcomings.
“I have definite problems with the shelter undergoing a three- hour inspection and everyone saying, ‘Well, that’s it,”‘ Donohew said. “It was easy enough to cover up inappropriate procedures for such a brief time.”
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
