“Authorities say the remains of at least 117 dogs were found on the grounds of a California ‘no-kill’ animal shelter, many of them with gunshot wounds,” reports the Associated Press. 600 dog collars were found nearby, each one from a dog that was presumably killed by the shelter:
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said Friday that it also discovered 21 canine skulls, hundreds of bones and other remains during searches at Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary, a 50-acre facility in Fortuna, California.
Investigators combing the site on Thursday located an area in a barn where they believe dogs were likely killed, the sheriff’s office said. More than 600 dog collars were found nearby, the office said.
Sheriff William Honsal called it a “horrific scene.” No charges have been filed.
A message seeking comment was left for the shelter’s founder, Shannon Miranda.
On the other hand, fewer cats are being killed in animal shelters these days. “Best Friends Animal Society, an animal welfare nonprofit, estimates that the number of cats killed in US shelters has fallen 75 percent over the past decade,” noted The Doomslayer.
That animal society explains:
Ten years ago, getting out of the shelter alive was basically a coin flip. Today, cats are being saved at history-making levels.”
With kittens making up more than 50% of cat intake in shelters, foster programs that help these tiny felines survive the most fragile window of their lives have been critical to getting more cats out of shelters and into homes.
Community cat programs: These programs, where healthy cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and then returned to the neighborhood where they live, and this has been one of the biggest drivers of the reduction in shelter deaths. In 10 years, we’ve seen a 70% increase in the number of cats returned to their outdoor homes, and communities all across the country are on board. In a recent study, it was determined that an average of 30% of people feed community cats.
Increased adoptions: In the past 10 years, we’ve seen a 20% increase in cat adoptions. Gen Z, the youngest adult generation today, has had the biggest impact on increasing cat adoptions, more than any other generation. Open and welcoming adoptions have made it easier for people to add a cat to their family, particularly first-time pet owners.
More cats than dogs used to be killed in animal shelters. But last year, 237,000 dogs were killed, versus 188,000 cats, in shelters.
