The Long and Winding Road to No Kill Niagara

“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”- George Orwell.

One year ago, the mere linking of the phrase "No Kill” with the Niagara County SPCA (NCSPCA) would have been inconceivable. Animal Allies of WNY, together with All God’s Creatures of Niagara County and WNY Citizens Against Puppy Mills (WNYCAPM), began the No Kill Niagara campaign in November 2011. 

Motivated only by concern for the animals, those in attendance at that very first rally were there to draw attention to the suspected mass killings, lack of medical care for the animals and financial mismanagement at NCSPCA.

Many awe-inspiring, positive changes have been achieved since the November 2011 launch of the No Kill Niagara Campaign. Following a series of peaceful rallies, former NCSPCA Executive Director John Faso was dismissed, and the organization’s entire Board of Directors was removed and replaced. As a result of everyday people coming together and working hard to achieve justice for the animals, the NCSPCA also agreed to no longer round up and kill the county’s community cats (aka stray/feral cats). This led to a dramatic, overnight reduction in the organization’s kill rate, since, historically, community cats had made up the overwhelming majority of animals put to death at the shelter. The new NCSPCA Board, seated in June, has also spearheaded free parvo vaccination clinics, providing a much needed service to the Niagara Falls, NY community. At the urging of the community, the NCSPCA also expanded its adoption hours to accommodate the public’s needs and stopped operating the incinerator/crematorium during those adoption hours. 

Unfortunately, many of the problems that drew the public’s attention to this facility in the first place remain uncorrected. The “overwhelming culture of distrust,” cited by Barbara Carr in her January 2012 Report still persists. As recently as July, the NCSPCA implemented a new “Confidentiality Agreement” that forbids staff and volunteers from speaking to anyone outside the organization about anything that goes on within the shelter, threatening termination and/or prosecution of those who violate its terms.

It is still difficult to contact the facility and communicate with Board Members. Many public inquiries go unanswered, and some inquisitive members of the public have been banned from interacting on the NCSPCA’s websites. Implementation of Standard Operating Procedures for cleaning and behavioral assessments, as recommended in Carr’s Report, is still lacking. The absence of a licensed Veterinary Behaviorist also means that uncertified personnel and volunteers are making critical life and death decisions concerning animals with behavioral issues. The NCSPCA admits that, in July, it killed 19 animals, claiming these individuals were “medically untreatable for the shelter at this time.”

The words “at this time” suggest that at another time they could be treated. But there will, of course, be no other time for these 19.

Despite contractual obligations to county municipalities, it is reported that the NCSPCA frequently refuses to respond to calls about stray animals and animals in need. The shelter also announced that it has “put on hold” plans for a low-cost Spay/Neuter program for Niagara County. The NCSPCA continues to dispose of animal corpses in its incinerator, under a “special arrangement” with Dr. William A. Gerber, one of the ousted former Board Members. Although the shelter has dramatically decreased its kill rate, it is far from implementing all the programs which comprise the “No Kill Equation.”

During this year’s International No Kill Conference keynote address, Nathan Winograd, originator of the No Kill movement, emphasized that life-saving change can occur overnight. 

Winograd announced: “Sgt. Karl Bailey, a police officer, took over an animal control shelter in Seagoville, Texas. He had no formal experience. He was not familiar with the No Kill movement. He started as the new boss of Seagoville Animal Services in January 2011… One minute later, he abolished the gas chamber. His second minute on the job: he ordered the killing to come to an end. When someone asks you how long it should take to achieve No Kill, tell them about Sgt. Bailey. And then tell them: 120 seconds.”

After the NCSPCA’s July 30th announcement of its “new directive” to go No Kill, 2,505,600 seconds have passed, and counting. What was so different about Sgt. Bailey’s approach that allowed him to reach No Kill within 2 minutes? Sgt. Bailey simply took killing off the table. Killing was no longer an option at Seagoville Animal Services. It’s that simple. So how do we reach No Kill in Niagara? The NCSPCA must welcome critique and supportive criticism, no longer viewing the inquisitive public as the “enemy.” The NCSPCA must dismantle the “culture of distrust” and eliminate the intimidation tactics inherent in its “Confidentiality Agreements.”

The No Kill Revolution is not a movement mired in defeatist attitudes, but stands as a movement driven by honesty, integrity, imagination, compassion and self-reflection. If we truly believe that companion animals have a right to live and that attaining No Kill is possible, then it is imperative to act now, by thinking outside the box, forging alliances with the community and being receptive and open-minded towards the views of those who passionately speak the truth.

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This video was given to the Reporter by Morgan Dunbar. The opinions in the video are that of Morgan Dunbar.