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Local Hero – More than Just Compassion
Volunteers spend their time with dogs in their final moments, creating lasting memories
Every night one of nine people shows up at the Animal Care and Control center in New York to spend the night, and create a lasting memory for a dog who will be euthanized the following morning. Whether it is a long walk, a special treat, or just time spent cuddling, members of the Compassion Program make it their priority to ensure the dog is happy and loved on his final night.
The Compassion Program, which started four years ago, focuses its efforts on animals that need extra support and love–animals that will be euthanized. It is primarily run out of New York’s ACC Manhattan shelter, with the hope of expanding throughout the state.
Members accept donations, host drives, and hold events to raise money to purchase special treats and toys to give to the dogs on their final night. “It’s about providing last minute tender love and care,” said volunteer Yolanda Crous.
The program was started when a combination of staff and volunteers came together in an effort to make sure dogs are given the same care as humans in their final days. It isn’t a job for the weak of heart, as each night the volunteers are given a list of dogs that will be euthanized the following morning. A kinship is born immediately, but at the same time the volunteer knows the next day the animal won’t be there.
“It’s one of those things where I don’t think I would have ever expected myself to do,” Crous admits. “But once you see the need, you can’t walk away.
The overpopulation of pets is a problem throughout the United States, and in New York there just isn’t enough room for all of the dogs in need. Crous said dozens of dogs enter the shelter everyday and its the goal of the Compassion Program to make sure the dogs are loved as much at the beginning of their lives as they are at the end.
“I feel like I am making a difference every moment I spend with the dogs,” she said. “And one of the best parts is the dogs give back just as much compassion as we give them. It is just amazing.”
Tagged Compassion Project, Euthanasia, Local Hero, Manhattan, May 2011, New York
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Barry FrierDecember 31, 2012 at 11:52 am
Does anyone know if the Compassion Project is ongoing, and how one can get in touch or volunteer?
Thanks -
DebraDecember 1, 2011 at 6:20 pm
I noticed that most of the dogs in the photo are “pit bull” type dogs!! These dogs are considered unadoptable because of ignorance and bias caused by media hype!!! They are the most loving and loyal pets anyone could ask for!! I should know because I have three of them!!!
While it is a good deed that these people do, (I could never do it because I would want to take the dogs and not take them back to be killed!!!) I think that all cities should be pursuing the No Kill Shelter so that our country can be no kill! There is an alternative to killing!!!
JennyDecember 1, 2011 at 3:01 pm
May God bless you people and may you get as many gifts back in your life as your are giving. I am a volunteer dog rescuer, but I could never do this. The grief in my heart would be overwhelming to me and I would not be able to function. I am so glad to hear that this is being done for those who are lost because people refuse to spay and neuter their pets.
Comforting (Shelter) Dogs in Their Final Hours | A Blog for Dog PeopleDecember 1, 2011 at 1:13 pm
[...] damper on my volunteering plans- until I read an article on Bark’s blog. I remember reading this article awhile back, but was happy to read it again. It’s called the Compassion Program, and [...]
Peggy Keating-BolmJune 5, 2011 at 8:49 pm
This article tugs at my heart. I find it great that a person wants to show love and be with the dog the night before it’s put down. A special treat is nice. A toy bought for the dog and the thought that he will have a special memory is fine but remember, this is a dog – an animal – that is happy you are there for them but won’t really remember a special memory. I am not saying it isn’t great to be with the dog and make him or her happy for that particular evening. The dog really appreciates a kind word and hugs. I am concerned about when the dog is put down and is there more than the 2 or so people in the room to be with the dog during this time? When my cats are old and ill and ready to leave this earth I am always there for them and continually tell them how much they are loved until they can no longer hear me. They feel this love because they lived with us for many years and know us.
The story states: “Members accept donations, host drives, and hold events to raise money to purchase special treats and toys to give to the dogs on their final night. “It’s about providing last minute tender love and care,” Can even this small amount of money instead be added to a greater amount to find a place to foster them, a person who might take in these breeds that get overlooked? I don’t live in New York so I will take the persons word that they are overlooked and, if they are, then someone needs to change people’s minds, etc. No doubt many have tried! Truly I want to say Thanks to the volunteers who do spend quality time with the dogs at any point in their lives. I just have concerns with the things I mentioned. Thank you for letting me share my thoughts. Peggy
Peggy Keating-BolmJune 7, 2011 at 8:35 pm
Does anyone want to comment on my suggestions? I would like to know if anyone else has ideas on how to help these dogs. Thank You – Peggy
Amy AffruntiAugust 20, 2011 at 11:32 am
Peggy~
I do hear what you are saying but please know that things at the NY ACC, both in Manhattan and the one in Staten Island, are so beyond out of control I couldn’t even begin to explain in the space I’m given here. The things that occur there are flat out criminal. I promise you that these people are doing absolutely everything they can to shield the animals from the evil running that place. (You can also say evil by saying, “Julie Banks” head of NY ACC Manhattan). I also hate to have to be the one to tell you that the Compassion Program ran for about a year before Julie Banks terminated the volunteer who spear-headed the program. The easiest way to begin to grasp the horrors that are occurring would probably be to look up some of the video footage on Youtube. This one is a bit of a board meeting that occurred after NY ACC killed a beautiful puppy who had a family that had filled out the paperwork and been approved to adopt her. You can’t see this part in the video but there are photos of it, 30 minutes before they killed her, a volunteer was able to capture a picture of the poor pup crammed into a feces filled cage. Her had was laying in it. http://youtu.be/Xb6r8PEuQEE Follow a few of the other video clips attached to that.
Peggy BolmOctober 29, 2011 at 5:40 pm
I just now read your reply – I didn’t know anyone replied as it didn’t go to my mail to be read. I am glad you wrote me back. I know I don’t have a clue what the shelters are doing BUT the ones I have been to in this area of IL. and in KS. are there for the animals benefit. It’s absurd any other way! My heart goes out to those animals who are being treated badly!! Peggy
SheilaMarch 29, 2012 at 10:44 am
Hi Peggy-
I wanted to add a few thoughts to the comments here. Amy is absolutely right about the horrors that are the New York area animal “shelters”. The killing, the lack of concern, the corruption,…all at the expense of the innocent and helpless animals. The people that desperately try day after day to save these animals do so because of their love for them. It is an extremely uphill and never-ending battle. Unfortunately, your impression of the midwest shelters is not totally accurate. I live in Chicago and am very familiar with some of the practices that are epidemic across the country. People think “shelters” are a safe zone for lost or homeless animals. They are not. They are in most cases a one-way ticket to death. That is the cold, hard reality. Yes, it has to start with spay/neuter programs & responsible pet owners. But there also needs to be a 180 degree reformation to a no-kill shelter world! There are shelters that have a 90% plus kill-rate of these poor animals. THAT is the horrible truth.
Bless these people that give of their time & hearts every night for these animals that are unfairly condemned to be pts. My heart breaks just thinking about it.
Peggy- you can help in your way by donating, fostering, sharing animals on FB that need homes, and encouraging your friends to get involved in the same.
Hoping every day for change!!
Sheila
Ginette DominiqueApril 2, 2013 at 6:15 pm
i agree with you Peggy the money should be better spent on spay and neuter programs, helping out financially strapped pet households to get their animals fixed so that there isn’t overpopulation to begin with, reaching out to open up more foster homes rather then a killing list these innocent animals are on through no fault of their own, killing these perfectly healthy animals because there is no room at the Inn/shelter doesnt even make sense when you can just as easily reach out to the public and seek homes for foster and save lives..
Leslie CawleyMay 19, 2011 at 9:57 am
Sad that the dogs have to be put down when they look so gentle and very healthy. So unfair that they can’t have a second chance at living in a safe home with caring owners. I hope this article is pased on to many readers so that more animals can be rescued. Wish I could adopt one of htem but I don’t know how my dog would react to another.
Ron WhitlockNovember 12, 2011 at 11:13 am
Hi Leslie;
Have you tried to socialize your dog? Most dogs are capable ,with proper training, to live with others as they are “pack animals” by nature and easily trained to accept otherts.. Just by gaining their love and trust we can socialize most if not all of them. Just “go for it” and be patient but firm. The only drawback is that you will have an extra animal to love and receive love from. Please, just give them a chance.
Leslie CawleyMay 19, 2011 at 9:50 am
How sas that the dogs have to be put down. They look so gentle and healthy. I hope the message gets out and those who can will adopt them. The people who spend the last hours with them are very companssionate.
Melanie NeerMay 18, 2011 at 11:27 pm
I could personally never do something like this as I would be a basket case knowing I was spending time with a pet that was to be killed off the next day. I give a big kudos for those volunteers that do this for the animals.
As far as the “unwanted” pet, mainly pits…one can blame landlords about this. Many landlords are putting their foot down and dictating what kind of dogs people can have in their apt…and of course, pits are on the list of dogs not accepted–however, pet owners should get wise to the pet laws. from what I understand, if a pet owner has had a pet openly for at least three months, a landlord can’t tell the person to get rid of the pet–this I would imagine would hold true for pits??? Does anyone know?
Tonya SheetzMay 21, 2011 at 11:43 am
Actually, it is not the landlords dictating which pets can live in their rental units. It is the insurance companies. Most insurance companies will not insure a landlord if certain types of dogs live in the units. Sad but true! No, I am not aware of any 3 month clause that would allow them to keep their dogs. It is pretty much a not allowed no matter what the circumstances.
Vanessa IrizarryMay 17, 2011 at 8:37 pm
We have compassionate volunteers who feverishly exhibit the scheduled to be euthanized dogs at our local Petco the Sunday before, in an effort to adopt or foster them out before they are put down. Anyone needing “gently or not so gently “used” dogs from our kill-shelters, contact me so I can connect you with our volunteer coordinator. We have adoptables, second hand market (not a good label), abused, cute, no so cute, pits, labs, boxers, shepherds, sharpeis, seniors, puppies, usually healthy, but all put down to make room for the next round to be euthanized.
I don't know if I could do this:May 16, 2011 at 9:16 pm
[...] don't know if I could do this: Local Hero – More than Just Compassion | TailsInc.com But it looks like an amazing program…volunteers spend the night before euthanasia with animal [...]
Amy AffruntiMay 15, 2011 at 8:45 pm
This is an amazing idea! I would absolutely LOVE to create a program like this in my area, but have no idea where to start. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Lene' HaneyMay 15, 2011 at 4:53 am
There are not enough words to explain how much you all are appreciated. Thank you for your compassion and love for these precious animals. God bless…
Harriet FaithMay 15, 2011 at 4:37 am
Most of the dogs in these photos look young and healthy. Makes it that much more tragic. The people who do this work are amazing.
noneof yourbusinessMay 15, 2011 at 2:27 am
If the CACC wasn’t such a KILLING MACHINE – evil and corrupt – there would be no such need for this. The CACC SU*KS
Monica McLaughlinMay 14, 2011 at 9:13 am
These volunteers are saints and I admire them. I would like to point out that it is not correct that there is a pet over population problem here in NYC though. We have a pet shortage here in NYC which is why we (shelters) import pets from all over the U.S. and even from foreign countries. The dogs shown in the pictures above are the UNWANTED dogs — adult pits and shepherd mixes. These dogs are overlooked by the no-kill shelters who pull the “adoptable” dogs — those they can easily flip for adoption dollars. The second hand dog market is very big here in the Northeast — only these poor dogs are not allowed to participate.
Sharon WalshMay 13, 2011 at 11:20 pm
Heck I could not let go of them if I were to do that. *sniff*
laima limakovaMay 18, 2011 at 4:44 am
im agree with u Sharon…its ll kill me
Valerie StevensMay 13, 2011 at 11:40 am
Why don’t you find away to save them ???????
Anne CroftMay 17, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Valerie, with all due respect, your ignorance is baffling.