Bonding "problems"

I had a very troubling conversation with staff about a month ago, which I've already once written about. In that conversation, they mentioned that they didn't like how bonded the volunteers are becoming with the dogs and that they perhaps need to start euthanizing dogs earlier who might become problems, to avoid the bond and the difficulties caused when they decide it's time to euthanize.

In the past few weeks, three dogs have been euthanized without a notice going out to the volunteers. We only know about this because of volunteers tracking dogs, noticing a dog isn't around and that it wasn't on the list of adopted dogs, and inquiring from staff in person to find out what happened. We've had an understanding with staff that we be notified of an adoption dog getting euthanized (as opposed to the unlucky 30 animals a day who are euthanized in the stray area and never even make it into the adoption program). I sent an email to find out if the policy had changed and here's the response:

"Notification of pending euthanization will occur only when we believe the animal is safe enough to leave in the adoption program. Notification of euthanization WILL NOT be made for an animal that must be removed right away for behavior or health issues. It is the responsibility of TLAC management to keep our environment safe and healthy. We respectfully ask that you trust us to make the right decision for everyone and every animal - even though it is emotionally difficult for all of us. We are still committed to notifying volunteers of any "Sad News" postings when appropriate."

Another volunteer replied to the group, expressing his disagreement of only getting the "Sad News" emails for certain dogs and bringing up the trust issue. Here was the response:

"The "Sad News" euthanization notification has not changed. This applies when the adoptable animal has been in the adoption run for an extended period of time. What makes it "sad" is the animal is healthy and its' behavior is fine, it just hasn't had an adoption We notify volunteers about the five day pending euthanization if an adoption is not made. This notification is a courtesy for the volunteers desiring to know the specific outcome of the animal. For volunteers that do not want to know, the "Sad News" posting is a compromise. But when the health or behavior of the animal compromises safe conditions for the public, staff, volunteers and other animals, it is the responsibility of TLAC management to remove the animal immediately. Every effort to notify volunteers with a "Sad News" notice is made. Does it always happen? No.

Why weren't you told? I can't say specifically without knowing the animal ID number. Is it because the animal was actually adopted with the new adopters giving a new name? Are you assuming the animal was euthanized because it no longer is in our care? That is not the case with all animals. With an animal ID number, I will be
happy to look up the animals to confirm their outcome. I cannot do it by name. "

By the way, two of the dogs' names were Abner and Lefty. Apparantly, we have so many Abners and Leftys that they can't find those dogs in the system using just their names nor can anyone remember them.

All of the staff responses have come from the volunteer coordinator, who does not have knowledge of the individual dogs. However, all of staff are included in these emails. The same staff members who told the volunteer about the dogs getting euthanized when she asked are seeing this email thread. So far, none of them have come forward to tell the group what has happened to the dogs. They're just letting the volunteer coordinator tell us that without an animal id, they don't know what happened, so we should just assume the dog has been adopted.

I'm sure that this isn't the end of this issue and I'll have another post about it soon.