Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - Humane Society rallying supporters to protest Meredith budget move

angela4design · 02-08-2010, 10:19 AM

I received this email today about Meredith cutting the budget for the Humane Society, which could put animals at risk. The Laconia Daily Sun also has an article on the front page. Please help support our furry friends!

ISSUE:
The Town of Meredith is suddenly without a contract for Animal Welfare for pets, strays, surrenders and cruelty cases. The fate of hundreds of Meredith's dogs, cats and other pets are in jeopardy!

BACKGROUND:
After 30 years of contracting with the New Hampshire Humane Society (NHHS), Meredith has failed to renew its contract leaving the protection and welfare of hundreds of dogs, cats and other animals at risk.

Previously, NHHS has provided the following services for the people of the Town of Meredith:

Ability for all Meredith residents and Police to surrender animals that are strays, abandoned or relinquished due to personal or financial constraints.
Humane handling of all animals, including immediate treatment for illness and diseases.
Every animal received all necessary vaccinations and were spayed or neutered.
All animals lived in comfortable conditions and were cared for 7 days a week, 365 days a year until they found their forever homes.
The start of a TNR Program (trap, neuter,release) where feral cats were captured and spayed or neutered treated to receive all vaccinations and were released. Kittens are treated and put up for adoption.

WHO IS PROVIDING THESE SERVICES NOW?
Since January, NHHS has provided services to Meredith for 21 dogs and cats including a two day rescue of 13 cats & 2 dogs from a Meredith home where the resident had died in a house filled with garbage and debris. This has been done without a contract and without compensation.

WHAT IS THE TOWN OF MEREDITH DOING?
Meredith town officials have eliminated all of the animal welfare services effective January 1st, 2010.

Meredith town officials have advertised for bids to only provide for "kennels for police strays for dogs only" (this covers only dogs that are captured by the Meredith police).

Meredith town officials bid request can allow for these services to be provided by a "kill facility" rather than requiring a "no kill shelter" such as NHHS.

Meredith town officials have eliminated services resulting in animals being at risk:

No services are provided for any dogs that are not captured by the police department.
No services are provided for any cats, dogs, or other pets that have been found in Meredith by its residents.
No services for any cats, dogs, or other pets that are surrendered by Meredith owners due to death, illness, foreclosure, etc.
No medical treatment for these animals.
No adoption program for these animals to help find their forever homes.
No spay/neuter program for Meredith resident's pets.
No spay capture/release program for Meredith animals.
No rescue missions or other support in animal neglect and cruelty matters.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Call Philip Warren, Town Manager at Meredith Town Hall @ 603-279-4538
Contact the following people from the Board of Selectman:
Bob Flanders robertflanders@verizon.net
Colette Worsman FAX: 603-528-2224
Chuck Palm hhcamp@hhcamp.com
Miller C. Lovett meredith@svmcl.us
Peter F. Brothers twobros@worldpath.net

PLEASE ATTEND!
The Meredith Town Meeting - MONDAY evening, February 8 at 5:30 pm. at the Meredith Community Center (Route 3), 1 Circle Drive, Room B. Help us fill the room and show the Meredith Board of Selectmen how many people are concerned about the welfare of Meredith's precious pets and animals! The animals are counting on you to speak for them!

02-08-2010, 10:19 AM	#1
angela4design Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Meredith Posts: 353 Thanks: 45 Thanked 54 Times in 38 Posts	Humane Society rallying supporters to protest Meredith budget move I received this email today about Meredith cutting the budget for the Humane Society, which could put animals at risk. The Laconia Daily Sun also has an article on the front page. Please help support our furry friends! ISSUE: The Town of Meredith is suddenly without a contract for Animal Welfare for pets, strays, surrenders and cruelty cases. The fate of hundreds of Meredith's dogs, cats and other pets are in jeopardy! BACKGROUND: After 30 years of contracting with the New Hampshire Humane Society (NHHS), Meredith has failed to renew its contract leaving the protection and welfare of hundreds of dogs, cats and other animals at risk. Previously, NHHS has provided the following services for the people of the Town of Meredith: Ability for all Meredith residents and Police to surrender animals that are strays, abandoned or relinquished due to personal or financial constraints. Humane handling of all animals, including immediate treatment for illness and diseases. Every animal received all necessary vaccinations and were spayed or neutered. All animals lived in comfortable conditions and were cared for 7 days a week, 365 days a year until they found their forever homes. The start of a TNR Program (trap, neuter,release) where feral cats were captured and spayed or neutered treated to receive all vaccinations and were released. Kittens are treated and put up for adoption. WHO IS PROVIDING THESE SERVICES NOW? Since January, NHHS has provided services to Meredith for 21 dogs and cats including a two day rescue of 13 cats & 2 dogs from a Meredith home where the resident had died in a house filled with garbage and debris. This has been done without a contract and without compensation. WHAT IS THE TOWN OF MEREDITH DOING? Meredith town officials have eliminated all of the animal welfare services effective January 1st, 2010. Meredith town officials have advertised for bids to only provide for "kennels for police strays for dogs only" (this covers only dogs that are captured by the Meredith police). Meredith town officials bid request can allow for these services to be provided by a "kill facility" rather than requiring a "no kill shelter" such as NHHS. Meredith town officials have eliminated services resulting in animals being at risk: No services are provided for any dogs that are not captured by the police department. No services are provided for any cats, dogs, or other pets that have been found in Meredith by its residents. No services for any cats, dogs, or other pets that are surrendered by Meredith owners due to death, illness, foreclosure, etc. No medical treatment for these animals. No adoption program for these animals to help find their forever homes. No spay/neuter program for Meredith resident's pets. No spay capture/release program for Meredith animals. No rescue missions or other support in animal neglect and cruelty matters. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Call Philip Warren, Town Manager at Meredith Town Hall @ 603-279-4538 Contact the following people from the Board of Selectman: Bob Flanders robertflanders@verizon.net Colette Worsman FAX: 603-528-2224 Chuck Palm hhcamp@hhcamp.com Miller C. Lovett meredith@svmcl.us Peter F. Brothers twobros@worldpath.net PLEASE ATTEND! The Meredith Town Meeting - MONDAY evening, February 8 at 5:30 pm. at the Meredith Community Center (Route 3), 1 Circle Drive, Room B. Help us fill the room and show the Meredith Board of Selectmen how many people are concerned about the welfare of Meredith's precious pets and animals! The animals are counting on you to speak for them!