Tuesday September 8, 2009, 10:38 am

Budget crisis cuts holding time at pet shelters

Peter Fimrite, Chronicle Staff Writer

Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The notion that your beloved pet could escape the yard and be put to death before you even have time to post flyers is a real possibility because of California's budget crisis, according to animal shelter and Humane Society officials.

The recent budget compromise between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders to reduce a $26 billion deficit included a provision that reduces the mandatory holding period for stray animals from six days to three days.

So Spot's decision to walk himself while you were gone over a three-day weekend could end up costing him his life.

"It makes a difference because for some animals every day counts," said Cindy Machado of the Marin Humane Society, which does not euthanize animals that can be adopted. Instead, the society rescues thousands of animals facing death at other shelters.

"The new law will affect a lot of the shelters that we rescue animals from because, especially in this economy, they are bursting at the seams," she said.

Most Bay Area animal shelters do not kill strays unless they have serious health or behavioral problems - for instance, viciousness - that would make them unsafe to adopt.

Yet many smaller, rural shelters in the Central Valley and in the northern part of the state do not have the space to keep animals longer than required by state law. These shelters are, in many cases, full of pets given up by people who have lost their jobs, seen their homes foreclosed upon, or been forced to move in search of work.

"The places that are overrun with animals don't have many resources, and now the law will essentially allow them to euthanize animals more quickly," said Scott Delucchi, vice president of the Peninsula Humane Society. "Probably those shelters were euthanizing animals anyway. It will just be earlier."

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Tuesday September 8, 2009, 11:39 am
This makes me so sick!

Wednesday September 9, 2009, 6:22 am
This makes me want to cry... some of thee big corporations should come in and help, and these shelters should do more to promote themselves when it comes to getting financial support.

Wednesday September 9, 2009, 7:36 am
I shutter to think what the shelter where I live, does with all the animals. It is sad, but, we should all remember, people don't want to give up their pets. It is these economic times that are forcing them too. I am sure most people are sick when they have to turn an animal over to a shelter.

Wednesday September 9, 2009, 11:53 am
they have to remember that they aren't just saving money and getting rid of a problem more quickly, they may be killing a child's best friend.

Thursday September 10, 2009, 2:48 pm
My Yellow Lab was a stray when I adopted him from the animal control. Thank God the one I went to have a no-kill policy! He's a wonderful dog and he's never stopped thanking me- in more ways than one!!!

Saturday September 26, 2009, 10:22 pm
The people who run these shelters need to take a cut in pay. Back in the 80's, Toronto dog catchers were making 50,000.00 a year. I don't donate to line the pockets of the 'caretakers'. I donate for the animals.