Society Asks Public Input On WSU Offer

The Kootenai County Humane Society will hold a public meeting and open house tonight to hear comment on a proposal that would send shelter animals to Washington State University’s veterinary school.

It is a proposal that has sparked strong debate among animal lovers.

WSU’s proposal has two parts. First, the veterinary school would take animals to the school for spaying and neutering. Students, under close supervision, would do the procedures for free and return the animals to Kootenai County for adoption.

The vet school also offered to take animals that have been selected for euthanasia. Veterinary students would learn to operate on the animals and then would euthanize them.

School officials say the animals would not undergo more than one invasive procedure. They say the animal would die before waking up from the operation.

Proponents say WSU’s proposal would be a big help to the shelter financially and would give meaning to the deaths of hundreds of animals each year.

But animal rights groups say the animals would be further traumatized. They say it is inappropriate for a humane society to be wheeling and dealing with the lives of pets.

The open house will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Visitors can tour the facility during that time.

The Humane Society’s board of directors will hold their monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Time will be set aside for public comment on the WSU proposal. A decision on whether or not to accept WSU’s offer is expected to be made.

, DataTimes