Experts visit AHS this week in an effort to reduce euthanasia

Experts visit AHS this week in an effort to reduce euthanasia

Since the 2007 merger, Animal Humane Society has consistently strived to help more animals in need. As we continue moving forward, we’re implementing several new initiatives that will provide second chances to many more homeless and neglected animals. One very important effort is the Reducing Euthanasia Initiative.

One of the goals of the initiative is to have an external review conducted by experts in the field of animal welfare. We’ve reached out to Veterinarians Dr. Sandra Newbury and Dr. Jyothi Robertson from the Koret Shelter Medicine Program at the University of California-Davis to assist us as we look at our euthanasia protocols. Dr. Sandra Newbury will be on-site at our five locations this Wednesday, June 3 to Friday, June 5 to conduct a formal assessment of those protocols. This assessment will be instrumental in helping us determine our efforts with this initiative, and ultimately reducing AHS euthanasia numbers.

“We know we can help many more animals find new homes by evaluating our processes and seeking assistance from experts in the field,” says Janelle Dixon, president and CEO of AHS. “Dr. Newbury’s visit is a vital component of our efforts to reduce euthanasia at Animal Humane Society.”

Dr. Newbury is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine (UW SVM) with expertise in the areas of infectious disease and population management as it relates to group health. She focuses on partnerships between shelters, veterinarians and the community to improve health for homeless animals.

Dr. Jyothi V. Robertson graduated from Princeton University in 1997 and began working at the Center for Comparative Medicine, UC-Davis on post-graduate doctoral research in molecular biology/physiology. She completed her veterinary degree in 2005 from UC- Davis and began work at a private practice in Hayward, Calif. where she consulted for the Hayward Animal Shelter. After 2 years, she devoted all her time to shelter medicine at Oakland Animal Services. Dr. Robertson's focus is on infectious disease and international medicine.

The Koret Shelter Medicine Program at the University of California-Davis is directed by Dr. Kate Hurley. The program is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of shelter animals through improvements in veterinary preventative medicine and management of disease. The team at UC-Davis successfully works with many organizations to enhance the quality of care and reduce euthanasia at animal welfare facilities nationwide.

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