Memphis Bullies Blogger for Speaking Out Against Conditions at City Animal Shelter

What began as an attempt to broaden lines of communication between animal advocates and Memphis Animal Shelter regarding the treatment of shelter pets has led to threats and intimidation by the City of Memphis toward one South Carolina blogger.

Shirley Thistlethwaite began her YesBiscuit! blog to discuss standards of welfare in shelters of the Southeast and to advocate for communities to adopt the no-kill paradigm. Lately, the focus has been on MAS and their unacceptable 77 percent euthanasia rate.

In an attempt to help as many pets leave MAS alive as possible, a ChipIn donation page was set up to have funds available to get homeless cats and dogs into private rescue. Unfortunately, the City of Memphis prefers to continue the status quo and let adoptable pets die.

Memphis City Attorney Herman Morris, Jr. responded to the generosity of strangers who donated money by sending Shirley a letter stating that she was acting in violation of a South Carolina law that prohibits soliciting of funds for an organization without their permission. The letter went on to say that if she did not “cease and desist,” the attorney’s office would be forced to seek legal action.

At the same time, MAS is preparing to open doors to the new $7.6 million shelter facility. Expected to be overcrowded as soon as the doors open, MAS Director Matthew Pepper says the "elimination of euthanasia for healthy, friendly, adoptable animals" is "an achievable goal." But how can that be achieved when strays are kept hidden from the public and people like Shirley and local rescuers trying to help animals are shut out?

If you know anyone who lives in Memphis, Shirley recommends that you get them involved. Phone calls, letters, and signing petitions show that this is a serious problem that needs to be fixed. Memphis officials are very resistant to making changes, falling back on the excuse that local residents are apathetic so why should they care.

How sad. If these elected/ appointed officials really believe that no one cares, they aren’t listening hard enough. But when it comes to a single person in South Carolina using her dog blog to try and make a difference, you can bet the voice is heard and attempts are made to quiet it.

Shirley is proof that one person is enough to make a difference. “Never be afraid to be the one voice speaking up for pets in need. In all likelihood, you are not the only voice and will gain support from others in time,” she told me. “And if it turns out you are the sole voice for these pets, all the more reason to make yourself heard.”

MAS streams webcams of a number of rooms at the shelter. It is hard to understand how the animals there can continuously be mistreated when the world is watching. The image above is of one cat Shirley helped save. The cat, Charlotte, was in labor and prodded with a pole for almost ten minutes.

The evidence is right there before us – and before the city of Memphis, if only they would notice. Compassion toward animals needs to be high on the list of improvements. “Change begins with leaders committed to saving pets' lives,” Shirley said. It seems to me that they are really the ones who are apathetic. It’s time to call them out and ask them for real change.

Photo Credit: Memphis Animal Shelter