| I’m sure everyone is aware of the dilemma | | | | the facility. What he discovered and published |
| Ellen Degeneres is going through right now with | | | | (September 1995) was the actual truth of what |
| regards to her adopted dog Iggy. And I have to | | | | happens to euthanized pets from animal shelters |
| throw my two cents worth into the arena. | | | | and veterinarian offices. His story, including the |
| The animal protection movement began in 1866 | | | | photos of barrels full of euthanized dogs and cats |
| with the founding of the first SPCA (Society for | | | | waiting to be rendered, caused such an uproar |
| Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). A New York | | | | – he was barraged with phone calls and letters |
| city millionaire by the name of Henry Bergh – | | | | from the public, PETA, and nationwide media. In |
| after witnessing animal cruelty, took it upon | | | | fact, because of his first hand knowledge of the |
| himself to make changes. He was known as the | | | | rendering industry, he was the first witness to |
| ‘great meddler’. There is a long history to | | | | testify for Oprah in the lawsuit against her from |
| Henry Bergh’s actions – but basically he | | | | the cattle industry. That article ended up being the |
| stood up against the norm and fought for animal | | | | last time any media has been allowed into or |
| rights against all odds. There were no lengthy | | | | allowed to photograph a rendering facility. |
| contracts, there was no fine print. He alone, took | | | | I don’t have the answer to why so many |
| an incredible stand for animals that seems to | | | | pets are euthanized each year. A new book by |
| have been twisted off track along the way. | | | | Nathan Winograd called ‘Redemption’ tells |
| Statistics are – over four million dogs and cats | | | | a very detailed and disturbing story of the shelter |
| are euthanized every year in the US. Four million | | | | industry from its conception. The author has the |
| euthanized pets in shelters alone a year is a | | | | personal experience and the expertise to make |
| staggering number. With more rescue groups | | | | changes – and from reading it, the shelter that |
| across the country, the number of pets being | | | | Ellen dealt with is a perfect example of protocol |
| killed should be decreasing – yet they | | | | winning out over the best interest for pets. |
| aren’t. Each year the number of dogs and | | | | Unfortunately it seems to be common place. |
| cats euthanized rises simply because there is no | | | | What I do know is that changes need to be |
| room in the shelter. Obviously something isn’t | | | | made. There are far too many animals – pets |
| working. Earlier this year, I did a radio interview in | | | | – being euthanized. Above all, euthanized pets |
| Eugene, Oregon. The host of the show did a little | | | | deserve a proper ending to their life, never should |
| homework prior to my interview and discovered | | | | they be rendered. |
| the county pays $14,000.00 a year to a rendering | | | | My first goal is for truth in pet food labeling. Within |
| company to remove all the euthanized pets from | | | | that goal – is the disgraceful act of rendering |
| county shelters. This is not the money spent for | | | | euthanized pets. Somehow, the heartbreaking |
| the euthanizing drug, nor the staff wages to | | | | incident that Ellen DeGeneres is going through right |
| perform the task, this is just the cost to remove | | | | now is involved. Her former pet Iggy will not be |
| the euthanized animals. This is one little county | | | | euthanized, but Iggy is still involved. Let’s |
| – imagine the cost nationwide. | | | | hope that the media will pick up on the point from |
| In most shelters, (unless the facility has a | | | | the overwhelming public attention Ellen and Iggy |
| crematory – few do) these poor euthanized | | | | have received – and do a little investigating |
| animals are rendered or cooked and the end | | | | and help bring about awareness of no kill shelters |
| ingredients are used in animal feed, cosmetics, and | | | | and rescue groups. The ones that work for the |
| who knows what (because the rendering industry | | | | best benefit of pets, not the ones that follow |
| is not regulated by the USDA or the FDA). As | | | | protocol too tightly. It is puzzling to me as to why |
| difficult as this is to grasp - It DOES happen. In | | | | the shelter Ellen dealt with didn’t just work |
| fact, the very first brave individual to ever tell the | | | | with her and probably end up getting a huge |
| story was a newspaper reporter in Baltimore, MD | | | | donation out of the deal. That donation would |
| by the name of Van Smith. He happened to be at | | | | have ended up helping far more pets than |
| a baseball game and overheard the conversation | | | | bothering to dot all the I’s and crossing all the |
| of two men near him. They worked for a | | | | T’s. |
| rendering company – Valley Proteins. Their | | | | For my personal goal with regards to pet food |
| conversation amazed Mr. Smith and after a few | | | | – if fewer animals were euthanized, there |
| questions – and approval from Valley Proteins | | | | would be less of a chance that the rendered |
| he was allowed to follow these men, drivers for | | | | remains would end up in pet food. But fewer |
| Valley Proteins – on their daily route and tour | | | | animals euthanized – benefits all. |