Shelter to cut animal killing

ERIN PEARSON
GEELONG Animal Welfare Society will stop killing animals unnecessarily after a public outcry, according to a board member.
The pledge followed a series of resignations at the shelter, with vice-presidents David Cecil and Mark Osborne following president Ian Walter out the door this week.
Spokesman Mike Bailey said the shelter would now enter a “transitional period” in which it would stop killing animals to “make space”.
The centre would only kill animals deemed dangerous or beyond medical treatment, he said.
“Currently the shelter has a 27 per cent kill rate for dogs and we can reduce that. We want to see more than 90 per cent of animals re-homed,” Mr Bailey said.
“We can’t do this overnight but we’re working with the help of RSPCA ACT and Animal Welfare League of Queensland who have done it.
Both had new management come in and look at what was going on and made positive changes.”
The shelter drew criticism last week over hidden camera footage posted to the internet showing animals medicated and killed. Staff were also shown apparently joking about inhumane practices at the shelter.
More than 150 people attended a Geelong Animal Welfare Reform group protest on Saturday.
Spokesperson Joyce Doherty said the group supported the shelter’s changes.
“A policy that takes out the killing of animals has got to be good.
“We need to have some really inspired and invigorated leaders to see big steps taken.