A cat with FIV, and too feral to be homed--I don't know what else you can do. You're findng homes for the adoptable ones, you're releasing the ones who are not adoptable but are old enough and healthy enough to survive on their own.

But an FIV+ cat that's too feral to home--released, that cat is a threat to the health of the entire colony, and any indoor/outdoor cats, and even potentially the indoor cat who slips out the door once or twice.

It's not like you can cure FIV and then release them--leaving aside the question of the economic practicality of that. It's home them, release them, or euthanize them. And FIV+, they endanger any other cats they come in contact with.

You're doing the right thing.

Lis July 18th, 2009 11:23:42 AM

too bad you can't fire them. It does not help the feral cats to  be  exposed to diseases, lack of food,

dogs/cars. that is no life for them.  Kittens dying early from resp diseases.  And as you say, being a source

of FIP,Felu, and FIV fir tge people  who let their cats out to roam.  I hope you continue to  try and help the ferals in

your neighbor.

Susan July 18th, 2009 11:26:26 AM

Dr. K,

In this world there are ONLY 2 categories of people.  1- part of the solution  2- part of the problem.    In fancy lingo

1- assets  2- liabilities.    People who say they are "neutral" are always part of category 2.

Sitting back on one's arse and having an opinion is the coward's way.   It is the easy way.  When a person says to me "someone ought to do something," my response is - "name yourself 'someone' and start it."   That's the surest way to get either a blank stare or have them depart my company.  Fine.  I don't have time in life for losers.

Doing SOMETHING, whether it is what I think is right or not, is an admirable quality.  It shows backbone, integrity.  In these tough time, doing something, is superior to how most people view the world with the "government" taking over our lives. 

An alternative, a bit sneaky but effective, is to start secretly dumping all those cats into the neighborhood of the whiners.  Won't take long for their tune to change!

Like you, I think killing little creatures is an awful thing.  The alternative is worse.  Instead of a manageable, healthy, population, we would have disease and nobody would be happy.  Reality is that urban enviornments are not the same as the old days of the country.  We do not conduct ourselves the same in the city as in the country, so why should we expect our pets to function as we know we cannot?

When I had to do unpopular things in my past occupation, it was done when there were no witnesses.  People who have not experiened something cannot ever fathom it, so that's how it gets done.  Without distractions I could work faster, too.  Go underground and save yourself some grief.  I suspect you have someone at work sympathetic to your cause who will help out for a little while now and then.

Carolyn July 18th, 2009 11:36:46 AM

I guess I'd just say that maybe if you weren't trying to take this all on your own shoulders -- if you networked with area rescues -- more could be saved.  You probably would have euthed the litter I rescued (although they were not FIV, but they were all seriously ill) but 4 out of 5 of them are alive today in good homes.  Because they had someone willing to house them and work hard on them.  It's hard to find those people in any case, but it's impossible when you don't reach out for help. 

Many FIV+ cats live decent lives with care.  The rescue I've worked with doesn't euth FIV cats as a matter of course.  They try to find foster homes with other people who already have FIV+ cats. 

You are doing the right thing by trying to TNR, but maybe a plea for help from local rescues would change the circumstances and mean that fewer are euthed.   I'd recommend a sit down with your staff to explain your position and ask them what they would do differently and what the other options are for solving the problem.  Maybe some will take it on themselves to help you network with rescues that place FIV+ cats (at least the ones that aren't so feral there is no chance they would ever be placeable).  If they are very angry, hear them out.  Then ask for their help to turn the situation into something THEY would be more comfortable with.  After all, if you are euthing them at your practice, THEY are a part of it, and they may have strong feelings about that.

Stefani July 18th, 2009 11:44:49 AM

One more point to ponder:

Near the beginning of the post you said that "my neighbors and I have decided that the colony of [mostly sick] feral cats" [in your neighborhood] "has to get down to a manageable level" and that you have decided to solve this problem through a combination of TNR and TK - trap kill.  You are trapping and bringing the cats into your workplace, shared by staff who did not participate in this decision.  You apparently are the one making all the live or die decisions, to solve your neighborhood problem by leveraging the resources (including staff) at your workplace, and they had no say in the matter did they?

If you want to involve them in a supportive way in solving your neighborhood problem, then a more democratic way of making decisions about this might help diffuse the animosity.

You are defending your approach, but it seems to me that you've asked for their unqualified support without asking for their cooperation and involvement -- this is a decision you and your neighbors made, and you are using yoru hospital to carry out that decision.  Did you consult them? 

People can often just "de facto" take a position of opposition which may or may not make logical sense, when what really underlies the opposition is the feeling of being taken for granted or not respected. 

Will you be driving to all of their neighborhoods to similarly cull or TNR those populations, or is it just your neighborhood you are concerned about?  If you do intend to provide the same service to their neighborhoods, then for sure you should involve and consult them.  If not, why not?  If not, then this is just about solving your neighborhood's problem, so still soliciting their support rather than expecting it might be a better strategy. 

I am just playing devils advocate, folks, and trying to understand their attitudes, although I fully expect your slings and arrows, as usual.

Stefani July 18th, 2009 11:57:25 AM

Another heartbreaking post.  You're in my thoughts and if I was in close proximity, I would come and be your assistant. Tears would be shed, but these poor cats deserve both a humane death and indeed, some tears shed over them.

Leslie July 18th, 2009 12:04:08 PM

i don't understand why your staff is angry at you instead of the people who dumped unaltered cats into the street to get FIV and spread it around. at the humane society i volunteer at (well, did, before school + work got too crazy to give me time to) the cats you put down would be put down too. they all can't be saved, as heartbreaking as that is, there are just too many. i hate it too, but i am not rude to the humane society staff when they make that decision because unless i or someone i know can take them home, what else can be done. turning a blind eye and doing nothing so more and more cats get sick is worse. veterinary staff face euthanasias they don't agree with every damn day...if it's finally too much for them to bear, it's time for them to get out. i empathize as one who got out.

sarahMT July 18th, 2009 12:13:06 PM

I took a kot of heat on an online forum once for saying that it's better to euthanize than to let overpopulation and suffering become a problem.  Later, one of the people who'd criticised my opinion had her workplace change...and her changed route in to work took her through an area where she saw many stray dogs: starving, sick stray dogs.  Once she'd seen so many dogs really suffering she contacted me and asked if maybe it WAS better to round up and euthanize the animals that will otherwise lead miserable lives.

I think maybe some people really have to see the problem in person before they can realize what a problem it is, and that leaving sick, staving, overcrowded animals is actually the nastier way to go about it.  Euthanizing sick kitties who can't do anything to save themselves is cruel... but letting them die without helping them is even worse.  Inaction is more horrible than action, even when the action is a sad one.

Galadriel July 18th, 2009 12:27:16 PM

Well said and well done!

Lee in Germany July 18th, 2009 12:34:47 PM

I have participated in TNR and worked in a high volume, open admission shelter.  I feel your pain.  The sick cats cannot be released in that state, so unless there are people willing to take on both the effort and expense of their care, they should be euthanized.  All the FIV positive ferals should be euthed IMO, unless they are friendly and there is someone willing to give them a permanent indoor home.

Perhaps a sit-down discussion with your staff is in order.  Lay everything out on the table (try to have a couple of people there that will help you defend your postition).  Give the staff options and put some of the responsibility on them.  Who among them are willing to take on the care and cost of rehabbing sick cats and litters?  Show them how much time and money you are spending and challenge them to do the same.  If they are unwilling to help, then they need to refrain from criticising, and that should be pointed out (nicely of course).  Point out how quickly you would all become overwhelmed if you tried to save every cat.

Meghan RAHT July 18th, 2009 12:38:36 PM

Oh Dr K, I am saddened for the extra stress this puts on your shoulders, all the while having to work with these disgruntled employees. I began my career in this field in 1972 as an assistant, progressed to LVT then Practice manager and have seen a lot over those years. In my experience, it is typically employees who are younger and full of opinions but not willing to take on the responsibility of caring for these kitties that speak the loudest. 

I have been breeding Cornish Rex since 1988 and part of my contract is that I will take a cat back for any reason and have taken back 8 kitties in that time, most due to behavior issues--urinating outside the box. I have been sucessful in rehabbing almost all of them but did make that difficult decision to euthanize two of them and I too, got lots of flack from fellow employees at the time, but none of them were willing to take on the responsibility for these cats (and I wouldn't have deemed them proper homes either...). I would rather know they had a kind death than multiple homes and the possibility of being dumped in a shelter and suffering a not so humane death.

I would much rather have a cat have a compassionate euthanasia than a terrible death and without your help, that is a distinct possibility as well as these cats endangering the rest of the population.

I am on your side and I think Meghan's idea of having a sit-down would be good, and involve your employers as well.

Teri and the Cats of Furrydance

Teri and the cats of Furrydance July 18th, 2009 01:20:12 PM

I can feel your pain.  I applaud you for doing what you can and how you are doing it.  The staff issue, should be resolveable following some of the suggestions above.  However, reality rears its ugly head.  Some people just can't see the past their own nose.

  Many years ago my father was in game management in California.  There was an overpopulation in the deer herds.  None wanted to do what was necessary to insure that the deer could live and feed and not die of starvation.  He got out of game management due to the politics and the sad situation goes on.

Don't give up. 

Carol

Carol July 18th, 2009 02:29:10 PM

I know you wish you could save them all. It's a sad situation, and you are doing the best you can.

Susan July 18th, 2009 03:04:59 PM

You are doing the right -- most difficult -- thing, on top of which you have to bear being shunned by others who are not stepping up with a better solution ... because in many cases, there is none.

I'm miffed that there are suggestions among the comments that you should -- or could -- find time to proactively network, unearth rescuers who will magically step in, organize neighbors, etc. Working in the animal rights/welfare field myself, I know what it's like to be confronted by well-meaning people who love offering litanies of ideas ... but the ideas are always offered for me to do, not them. As if I'm not already working in high gear (and oh by the way, most of those ideas are not so new, already being done, or been tried and rejected.)

oh holland July 18th, 2009 03:18:17 PM

Of course I'm a little confused.. If the owners of the clinic condone what you're doing, and there is free time, it shouldn't be a problem what is asked of the staff members.. They are on salary..  What are you taking them away from?  Are they aware that if you don't do something, you are jeopardizing the health of all the everybody in the area..  People, and pets.. The feral cats carry all kinds of deseases that can spread... The thought of getting bitten by a tick, or mosquito that was hanging around on a feral cat scares me.. We don't have any in my area, but I still take precautions on where we walk..

Barri & Socrates July 18th, 2009 03:45:10 PM

Teri is right- it is usually the younger, less experienced staff that have such a strong "save them all" sentiment on these issues.  I bet if they spent some time is a high volume shelter they might change their tune. When you see the sweet, adoptable cats and kittens being PTS for no good reason (other than no one is willing to give them a home) it is a little easier to euthanize sick ferals.  I understand where the staff is coming from, you get into this job because you love animals, but at some point if you work in the field long enough, you gain a different perspective.

Meghan RAHT July 18th, 2009 03:58:43 PM

There is a no-kill cat shelter that brings their cats to us for spays/neuters/checkups some get ear tipped and released, some get adopted.  They tend to ere on the side of caution and spend outrageous amounts of money trying to save cats that are most likely going to die soon anyway.  Now in this economic climate where they are finding their doantions fewer and farer in between as well as seeing exponentially more cats thrown to the wayside when their onwers come into some economic hardship they are finding they just don't have the money to support these sickly animals and they are quicker to give us the word to euthanize.  Never would I think of shunning a doctor for it, not only is it unprofessional but it is ignoring the bigger picture.  We don't live in an ideal world so we cannot handle these situations in an ideal manner.  We have to save what we can and humanely dispose of what we can't.  I'm sure none of your staff members offered to turn their homes into a shelter for these sickly and feral kitties.

Jessica July 18th, 2009 04:06:20 PM

Your probably destined to do something like this Doc. If the money can be found.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4754481n

Evet July 18th, 2009 04:31:01 PM

That's a very hard thing to do that you are doing. I love cats - personally, I prefer them to dogs as a companion animal. But, any creature that overruns its ecological niche transitions rapidly from domesticated friend, to vermin, to outright menace. If your colleagues think the situation now is bad, have them research what happened in Australia with rabbits, then the cats that were introduced to "manage" the rabbit population. If people are upset at sterilization and humane euthanasia, I expect they'll really flip out when indigent people start using the cats as a food source.

Joe Allen July 18th, 2009 04:50:40 PM

Dr. K, I will fully admit that I could not do what you do. My heart breaks every day as it is, hearing this or that story (I'm a rescuer, so I DO keep aware of what is happening in that world.) I applaud you and others like you fully for taking the hard stuff on. We all know that you can't save them all. We might all want to, but it is just not realistic. You make some very tough choices every day. Thank you! Jen M, Maryland

Jen M. July 18th, 2009 05:24:02 PM

If there are no groups to aid & take on foster care to rehome, who is anyone to judge? Different areas of the country are experiencing different issues. And from your posts, it seems like FL. is at the max in homeless animals, just as often it is in the media, that Texas is.

I can't stand the thought of suffering animals :sick, starving, old & weak bearing the elements & nasty environment on their own. I would be at complete peace with humane end. I may not like it, nor feel it is ideal, but I would be accepting of it.

I had indoor/outdoor cats, but did not live in an area "over-ridden" with ferals , (lots of barn cats--though). I can't imagine what it is truly like to witness.

Barbara A./NH July 18th, 2009 06:35:32 PM

Yes, of course, these are the young and idealistic who think in holier-than-thou soundbites, perhaps because life's not yet gotten complex enough to have to think through these issues (I can remember thinking that way). It's also because it's fun to factionalize and hold strong beliefs in direct contradiction to what authority presents. I get it. But it also hurts. 

And yes, Carolyn, I have at least a couple of advocates, as you probably know from first-hand experience. ;-)

Dr. Patty Khuly July 18th, 2009 07:20:33 PM

Carolyn hit the nail on the head for me - I think people are either "complainers" or "do-ers".  Either they want to tell you all about what is wrong with your choice of action (and it seems to almost always be about taking action as opposed to not taking action) or they will offer to help.

I will listen and consider what people who disagree with me say.  I will change my mind if the argument is a valid one.  But I won't turn away from the hard choices.  "Someone's got to do it and it might as well be me."  Don't know how many times my hubby and I have muttered this under our breath to each other.

Keep your head high, even if you are underground!

BCBev July 18th, 2009 08:06:55 PM

Barri - I disagree with the statment about the staff members being obligated to help because they're on salary.  For example, our practice still does feline declaws.  I refuse (yes, refuse) to be the surgery tech for a declaw.  As in, write me up or fire me...still not doing it.  I think it's unethical and inhumane, and my coworkers and the docs I work for know how I feel.  So, someone else does it.  I fully support any employee's right to decline to take part in something they feel immoral, unethical, or inhumane.

That being said, I'd do the same thing Dr. K is doing if I were in that position.  I've gotten flak before when it comes to my own personal TNR/TK methods...and they pretty much mirror Dr. K's.  Use your limited resources to help the most cats possible, and do the humane thing with the rest (and as I'm sure everyone knows by now, I'm not bothered by euthanasia when done correctly, even if it is regrettable).  Those who haven't been in the situation Dr. K has described - watching litter after litter succumb to disease, cars, or predators, seeing sick adults skulk around emaciated with visible ulcers, abscesses, or URIs (common w/the FeLV or FIV pos.), and knowing quite a few are not getting enough to eat - just don't get it. 

anna July 18th, 2009 08:15:09 PM

re: "But, any creature that overruns its ecological niche transitions rapidly from domesticated friend, to vermin, to outright menace."

Joe, um, first and foremost, that would be US - homo sapiens.  And we are all aware that there are millions of people on this planet spreading HIV.  Your solution to this?

A similar one, perhaps??   Mass euthanasia!?

Soylent Green is people!

Stefani July 18th, 2009 08:30:50 PM

I guess my point is this:

None of us can take our "underlings" cooperation for granted.  I am in a management position in my career.  I can't even IMAGINE what would happen if I walked in one day, and simply expected my employees to participate in a personal project of mine -- even if I deemed it for the good of society -- when it was not for our paying customers, and I did not get their buy-in (and managements, for that matter) first.  Distraught, disgruntled employees would be the least of my problems. I would be in management's office so fast answering for my behavior that my head would spin and I'd be lucky if I weren't fired.  My job would be in jeapardy for leveraging company resources for my pet project, no pun intended.  And in my case, it wouldn't even be killing that I'd be asking people to participate in -- just some software effort.

Yeh, maybe they are young and idealistic..  On the other hand, maybe they expect to be ASKED before they are involved in euthanizing members of a feral colony that Dr. K wants to "manage."  After all, its not clients bringing these cats in, it's Dr. K deciding to leverage her lower ranking coworkers in a personal project.

Obviously, they have sincere moral issues with it.  Perhaps these are simply gut reactions, not arrived at through reason.  Maybe euthanasia really was the best available fate for every single cat she's euthed.  But are the opinions of these lower rankng coworkers to be disrespected simply because they are younger?  Or more Junior?  Do they rightly perceive that is the attitude towards them and therefore resent it?  Are they speaking out against her efforts BECAUSE of that, rather than on the merits?  When their attitudes are dismissed as "holier than thou" platitudes of naiive individuals -- clearly they are not respected.  How can one expect to be the object of respect among those one clearly does not respect? 

I am in the glass house on this one, as I have been recently reminded that it really doesn't matter what the facts are -- employees like to feel valued.  If you don't consult them when you make an important decision about a joint endeavor, then you don't have "buy in."  Without buy in, you can count on opposition.  The employees will claim their opposition is "on the merits" but in fact, it's often that they feel taken for granted by not being involved in the decision-making process.

Stefani July 18th, 2009 08:47:40 PM

While I understand your side of this arguement, I am going to have to side with your staff. And yes, I do try and save them all, and I have tnr and tamed and adopted out and kept and paid for all myself.  The only no I have is with the felv cats. I have also worked the shelter/rescue group side of the equation as well, so I have not only paid my dues, but paid for it as well.

one way or another it is all about choices.  however, all choices can be improved upon hindsite. sometimes it only takes a day to pause, wait and rethink instead of immediate actions that can't be undone.

but ultimately you are the one that has to live with your choices. I can't not get invloved if I see cats in need, but I do not consider euthanasia part of the solution. Unless it is an exception to end obvious suffering or it's an felv I can't find a place for. I do not consider FIV cats an exception unless they are very ill and a few weeks of good food and medication doesn't improve it.

LorriM July 18th, 2009 09:13:16 PM

Stefani- I don't know how Dr. Khuly's practice runs but IME if the boss says it's ok, if Dr. K is paying for it, and if the spays/neuters/euths are happening on clinic time then the cats are patients of the hospital.  At any hospital, ultimately the Dr. is responsible for patient care- they make the decisions, they give the orders, the rest of us follow.  As techs, assistants and kennel help we can either go along with the decisons or quit.  In a good practice, with good doctors (which it sounds like Dr. Khuly is BTW) staff are able to question decisions and offer suggestions and an open dialogue is present.  I for one would not work anywhere other than such a practice.  Also in a good clinic, staff members should have the option of not participating in something that they find morally or ethically offensive.  We all have to sleep at night and live with our decisions, so IMO Dr. Khuly's staff  should be able to opt out of euths that they disagree with, but it is extremely unproffessional to give the Dr. the cold shoulder for doing her job.

At my clinic, when a staff member wants to save an animal destined for euth- it is up to that individual to take on the cost and care of the pet and find it a good home or keep it.  I have done this, but I could not do it every time I had an issue with a euth.  I would be poor and overrun with pets that I could not care for properly.  It is not fair to protest a euth and expect the clinic or another employee to take on that burden, it only serves to make those involved in the euth feel even worse.

Meghan RAHT July 18th, 2009 10:15:56 PM

I am in no doubt you are doing the right thing.  It would be great if we could save them all but sadly we live in the real world and the consequence of the selfishness of other people.  It is all very well to take a back seat and say how inhumane it is but sadly talking the talk and not walking the walk is of no use to anyone.  I wish every cat had a home, I wish we were not constantly have to fix babies having babies but that is sadly the reality.  Thank you for doing what you do and not being a "back seat rescuer", the ones who get  someone  else to  sort out the problem and then feel good for thinking they were the ones who did something.  If there have to be ferals then we should at least ensure they are fixed ,healthy as they can be  and vaccinated.  I know each one you choose to euthanise leaves a mark on your heart but thank God you have the courage to do what is right.

Elaine July 18th, 2009 10:30:38 PM

I have to be honest... while I understand and fully support the decision to euthanize the cats that are obviously unhealthy (as much for their benefit as the community's), the decision to euthanize an otherwise healthy animal who tests positive for FIV would be much harder for me to get behind. Given the fact that these cats may remain healthy for years, (possibly succumbing to other causes before the FIV ever becomes an issue) and are far less likely to engage in behaviors that are likely to spread the virus once they're altered, I'm just not sold on the idea that anything is gained by opting for euthanasia.

Especially if there are free-roaming owned cats in the vicinity who may well be harboring and spreading the virus as well. The biggest supplier of bite wound abscesses (and, I suspect FIV as well) in the colony we dealt with was not a feral tom but an irresponsible neighbor's free-roaming intact male.

I tend not to be overly sympathetic towards those who allow their cats to roam. They have a choice in the matter. The colony cats? Not so much.

Ramen Connoisseur July 18th, 2009 10:41:39 PM

My older suburban neighborhood goes through cycles of outdoor intact cats, some semi-feral, breeding, which results in an overpopulation of poorly maintained, semi-feral cats. Many of these then become ill with FIV or  leukemia, which seem to be endemic in the area. A die-off then occurs, with everyone trying to figure out how to dispose of rotting cat carcasses. I would love to get some neighborhood consensus about unhealthy cats...or about anything for the matter. The neighborhood is currently on a cat population upturn. I guess I'll be pulling dead cats from underneath my back porch soon. Most of my immediate neighbors think its somehow natural for cats to run free and kill animals (which they most often do NOT eat), but when dogs do this, it's bad and needs to be controlled. I alienated one neighbor who was looking for her lost cat by saying that any cat I found in my yard would be taken to animal control, because it would have been threatening my finches.

    It's probably too late for this now, but an alternative approach would have been to have a neighbor act as the apparent organizer of this program, and set it up as some sort of community project which you agree to be involved in. I agree with your approach to local cat overpopulation; but I also understand why the support personnel might balk at this duty. I once taught a genetics class where the students wanted to release the fruit flies at the end of the class. "But, you can't kill the flies!" So, I had to come up with an impromptu lecture about the environmental effects of releasing exotic organisms.

   I hope you get someone to help you. You seem to have taken a "crusader" approach here (I was a "crusader" once myself); but in an age where most students question if they should believe what their teachers tell them, a different approach may be necessary. Killing a creature on command of a superior? Hmm.....

Heather in Miami July 19th, 2009 02:01:52 AM

When I was first married we adopted two stray puppies on the advice of a friend who said that one should have dogs before children. So we adopted Shadrah and Mishah. At night we would say "Shadrah, Mishah, to bed you go."

Well Mishah had a temperment that was not suitable for children and she would attempt to go through solid objects to get to them. So I found another home for her. When we finally had children we still had Shadrah. They would see pictures of the two dogs and ask what happened to Mishah. "We got rid of her because she was naughty."

I recently learned that many goat owners will simply eat the goat when it no longer carries a load for them on the trail.

So pehaps the staff  will settled down a bit like my children did whenever I asked them "Are you being naughty?" And if not you can say, "I got good news and bad news... this week you don't have to carry a load.

Bob Jones July 19th, 2009 02:39:57 AM

Heather: After re-reading my own comment (about ten comments up), Stefani's and yours, it's clear that I've been trying to fit square pegs in round holes. Yes, both camps are equally as pig-headed and the outsized moral outrage is happening on both sides. I should have approached this very differently. Your suggestion is a good one.

Sure, some might say it's a tad disingenuous, but I'd argue that everything comes down to how it's presented. If there's one thing I'm not good at it's office politics. Maybe some day I'll learn. 

Dr. Patty Khuly July 19th, 2009 08:03:59 AM

When I was volunteering in rescue, repeatedly we were "privileged" to deal with the aftermath of someone who tried to save them all.  When you can't figure out what your limits are, when you can't say "no," when you can't accept that you can only do so much, you slip over the line from rescuer to hoarder. 

And that ends up scarring the animals involved far, far more than a simple euthanasia would.  Many of these animals, once rescued from their rescuer, are completely unfit for any kind of pet home.  It would have been better if they had been saved the trauma of living with the hoarder, since they're going to live troubled, unhappy lives or be euthanized anyway.

I'm trying to make sure to "speak" quietly here, because I feel VERY strongly about this and I don't want to be one of those who feels so strongly that they're incoherent.  The dogs I've rehabbed after they came from rescuers-turned-hoarders were in terrible shape, and they will never be the same.  There was one I met before he ended up with a rescuer/hoarder; I tried (unsuccessfully) for 9 years to return him to what he was before, with the help of vets, behaviorists, and drugs. That's nine years of major changes to my lifestyle to accomodate and serious work with one dog who, in the end, just couldn't be brought back to what he once was.

Know your limits.  You can not save them all.  You can't.  If you try, you'll do more damage than you can possibly make up for with all your rescue efforts for the rest of your life.

Galadriel July 19th, 2009 11:14:55 AM

I help run/manage a not-for-profit, no-kill cat rescue in my area. We don't take people's pets in unless it is an extrenuating emergency. What we do, though, is help strays, ferals and "dumped outside" cats. When I first moved in to my townhome eight years ago, we had a colony of over 30 cats here. I began my mission of trapping, neuter/spay, and release. Out of the cats we caught, more than half either had FIV or leukemia, and all but one were feral. The one that was not feral is the one that smashed my heart a few hundred times. One of my dumb neighbors let their unfixed female out, and she wound up having kittens in her yard. I was not aware until several weeks later, AFTER the cats had been living unsocialized all that time. I was able to get two of the three, and found them a great home. The other one, the all black girl, was trap smart. It took me nearly a year to catch her. And by the time I caught her, I didnt need the trap any more. She came right up and purred, let me pet her, and loved on me. I had a horrible feeling when I brought her in to be fixed and vaccinated, but shrugged it off. 

I got the call several hours later, after the new vet (who got screamed at by me) had already fixed her. She was definitely positive for both FIV and leukemia, and she was nearing the stages of no return. Her gums were pale, she had apparently had a dead litter inside of her, and she was anemic. Did I want to save her? 

I went and picked her up and took her home. She spent the next few hours, though quite out of it from her surgery, getting loving from me. A friend of ours who is a vet, came and helped her pass in my arms. I bawled my eyes out for days. I blamed myself for her illness, because I couldn't trap her fast enough. I had no where to put her; my house is simply not big enough for all the cats I have already, plus the dog, plus segregating a very ill cat. Our rescue had no where to place her either, and I couldn't bare the thought of her sitting miserably in a cage for weeks only to possibly test positive a second time, or to become sicker in that time. (She's next to my heart cat by my bed in a beautiful urn.) It should be quality of life, not quantity.

Then I got really mad. Mad at the people who let this happen and cause all of this. To date, though we every so often have an increase in cat #s (like now, we have about 6 kittens out there who haven't gotten close enough to trap), but we're down to 8 cats. All of the other ones were adopted out, or were too sick to be put back out. 

I don't regret any of the TNR or euthanization I've done. It was much better than putting a sick cat back outside to only get sicker and suffer a painful death. It was also much better than to infect even more cats. They were not adoptable, and for the most part, probably not treatable. 

You are not the monster. The people that let this happen are the ones that should have angry eyes on them. I wish you were here in my area. We'd make a hell of a team. 

RHz July 19th, 2009 11:37:29 AM

I am squarely on the side of the "dissenting" staff people.  Personally I think TNR programs should be separated from veterinary practices.  Staff are required to keep the place clean, safe, disease-free, sterile and sane. Then TNR comes in with angry, sick, dirty, parasite infested hostages.  Whether or not TNR is expedient, it certainly takes a disproportionate share of time, dangeer, mess and often, heartbreak.

Dr. Khuley,you are obviously a talented communicator and a bundle of energy. Start a foundation. Put up a building and assemble a staff that expects to be scratched, bitten and pissed on beyond the usual call of duty.  Let me know when you do this and I will donate a buck for every TNR "volunteer" that I turn away when they want a discount and immediate service.

Dr. Steve Dubin July 19th, 2009 01:04:54 PM

Dr. Khuly, I'm with Stefani on this one, quite frankly, you fail to realize that your staff didn't sign on to their jobs as euthanasia techs, they invariably signed on to SAVE LIVES.  How you can expect them to automatically conform to your ideas and wants and needs is beyond me.  The fact your bosses allow you to dictate your staff's duties is even worse.  Are they donating THEIR time, money and efforts to the cause? 

I personally think that if you are concerned about TNR, you do it on your own time, and you combine your efforts with others in the community, who would probably be thrilled to have a vet on their side.  Surely you know how many rescue groups, TNR groups need vets with experience and knowledge to give them aid.  Your status also increases respect from the community in that regard.  Perhaps your bosses could also put their money with their mouths are.  Are they willing to dole out as much to education and awareness?

I know all about office politics, I left one clinic because three of the 6 vets decided they could dictate life and death of patients less fortunate to have owners, or abandoned, or brought in with injuries.  Despite the staff's own money to pay for care, despite homes being found, despite 24/7 care by the staff, who were the real life savers, not the vets.  That clinic lost 4 valuable, highly trained and experienced staff over a two-month time period due to the so-called office politics.   Staff are already undervalued, when dictation occurs, you lose all respect.

It is not about your staff's inability to grasp the sheer magnitude of the problems with strays and feral cats.  It is about their chosen profession.  Perhaps for many of them, they've already seen the worst of circumstances, which is why they chose to be in their field.  Do you expect them to have extra cirricular activities as well?  They probably already do, but they do so on their own time and do not bring their personal lives and trials into the clinic, you wouldn't stand for that, would you?

You can't have it both ways, but you can choose to devote your time between the two passions, without creating conflict among your staff.  Leave the TNR out of the clinic unless you are strictly performing spays and neuters, vaccinations and have the resources to follow through with releasing, adoption, working with rescue groups etc.  Otherwise, maybe you should consider the animal shelter veterinarian route where you'd be working with others with the same goals and intentions.

Sorry, Dr. Khuly, but sometimes the truth hurts, sometimes you have to make hard decisions, but you can't force your decisions on your staff.

lexipup July 19th, 2009 02:45:26 PM

lexipup: I don't disagree. I may be bad at office politics but I am willing to listen...and change my mind.

I've decided that I need to start segregating the work I do on behalf of feral cats and the work I do at the "office." If not for my staff (some of whom currently view me as a serial killer not worthy of their respect, wrongly though I may feel they do), then for the integrity of the work we need to do on a daily basis as a team, and for the respect they deserve as people who did not sign up for the heartbreaking TNR work I choose to undertake as an "extracurricular" activity. 

Dr. Patty Khuly July 19th, 2009 06:11:55 PM

Kudos to you for not putting on blinders and actually taking on a really tough and painful project.  More kudos for not deluding yourself into thinking you can save them all.  Liberal policies for feral cat colonies have lead to enormous growth in them that puts everyone at risk and it's probably getting and going to get worse given how the economy is going.  Euthanize any cat or kitten in the colony who is positive for transmissible diseases or you don't think can be restored to really good health.  It's far kinder than what they face on their own and you already know it.  "Sometimes the decision to euthanize is based on our degree of frustration that particular moment."  Or maybe just functioning off instincts when you realize you're trying to save too many.

"I get it. But it also hurts."  I remember when I suddenly realized adults and elders were stupid.  I was about 13 and I knew it all.  Then I got older and realized I was expanding and growing while many around me were not.  They wanted to remain idealistic and unrealistic no matter the facts or consequences.  It does hurt but you can't drag them along.  They'll either get there or they won't but clearly you're in the transition to "elder" status.  In my book, that's a good thing.  Community elders actually come in all ages and should get far more support than our youth oriented idealistic society provides; it is they who make the though decisions and have to live with the consequences, often "underground" in our culture.  (Didn't you say your son is 11?  Oh, just wait.  My son decided I was stupid when he was about 12.  Now that hurt!)

Find that helper and keep up the good work!

I went to my new house Friday night.  Drove through JIB on the way and there were 2 kittens in the lot scavenging for food.  Clearly they hadn't been out long as they didn't know to duck and run from cars yet but they're at just that age where they're about to start reproducing.  Saturday I started to unload my truck and my dogs were very intent on something.  It turned out to be a very young kitten who was searching for a "place" to hunker down and who made an attempt to do that in the back of my truck despite the dogs nearby.  On the way to town, I saw 2 young adult dogs scavenging along the roadway near a construction area.  2 more doomed souls.  That is the part of country life I don't enjoy, dealing with all the animals dropped off by those who delusionally think they'll "find" new homes or "live free".  I'll be back to taking them to the shelter and/or killing them soon and I don't have Dr. K's skills but I can't stand to watch the slow deaths either and better they be culled before spreading illness and/or procreating.

In 1986 or 1987, my mother concluded that everyone diagnosed as HIV+ should be quarantined else we'd have an unmanageable epidemic.  It's simply asking too much that people control such a basic instinct (sex, companionship, possible procreation) with a death sentence over their heads (which it was back then and arguably still is).  Yes, it is now considered a manageable chronic illness by many but at what cost to society?  How can society possibly prosper if we become a world of the chronically ill with more and more people needing more care than they input?  I'm not the least bit inclined to disagree with my uber smart mother who, despite being uber smart, contracted HIV while in what she thought was an exclusive relationship.  She died of AIDS complications in 1988 and it would be disrespectful of her for me to disagree with her ultra logical conclusion especially when her prediction has come to pass.  Further, as one who suffers from chronic illness of another type, I would argue that each of us should have the absolute right to decide when life isn't worth living and/or we have become too much of a burden to ourselves or society and to end our lives in our own time and way without having to fly to abroad to Dignitas; at least and until society realizes that it needs to be helping make these horrendous and difficult choices instead of expending critical resources on extraordinary measures to keep people limping along half dead.

I am so tired of the 3 generations of "me, me, me" thought process that we seem to have produced that is now expanded to trying to protect even the sick in feral cat colonies.  Get real.  We don't live in a world of unlimited resources and pretending we do has lead to the mass destruction of many of the resources we once had.

PJBoosinger July 19th, 2009 06:24:24 PM

Well, I suppose you could leave the cats in the feral colony to feed the snakes; the ones people couln't stand to "put down" or be bothered to find new homes for.  Snake Hunt in Florida  Where does the "kindness" of save every living creature end?

PJBoosinger July 19th, 2009 06:33:40 PM

Thanks Dr. Dubin for enlightening me regarding the nature of the feral cat project.. I was unaware of what the staff was up against .. I was thinking  it was more a moral issue vs. a potential to get hurt issue.. I don't think I would put my staff in jeopardy on a mandatory basis.. I was thinking more on the lines of my staff, and insubordination.. We had a couple of issues with patients coming with body lice, and no staff would go near them..

Dr. K if I was in FL I would gladly help.. even though it took me awhile to figure out that a sinus arrythmia in a dog is nothing to panic about..

barri July 19th, 2009 09:34:04 PM

Dr. K, get that foundation going.  I see some donations coming your way...  Prospective advertisement: "Calling all TNR groups.  If your captured feral cats need veterinary assistance, please take the cats to see Dr. Steve Durbin before seeing any other veterinarian.  Just load them up and bring them in one at a time please and don't forget to ask for a TNR discount."

PJBoosinger July 19th, 2009 11:07:00 PM

PJ- I don't think it is fair or accurate to toss everyone (staff member, commenter or otherwise) who has taken exception to some facet of the aforementioned protocol into the "we can save them all!" box.

Nor do I think it is fair to jump to the assumption (as many others on here have) that these persons have never had any appreciable involvement in rescue, sheltering, or TNR, that they are bleeding-heart do-nothings content to dump their problems off on somebody else, or that they fail to know their limits.

There are plenty of large-scale welfare organizations out there involved in the TNR movement who question the benefits of euthanizing otherwise healthy animals on the basis of a positive test for FIV. Obviously Dr. K feels differently, and that is her prerogative. I'm not knocking what she's doing, what I'm saying is, there are other viewpoints out there.

And not everyone who happens to subscribe to them is ignorant, deluded, lazy, and/or destined to wind up on the evening news as 'that lady with five hundred cats in her basement'.

I'm just saying.

Ramen Connoisseur July 20th, 2009 02:34:17 AM

Dr. Khuly, thanks for sharing that last thought.  Whatever you choose to do, you know it won't be easy, but you're obviously determined, and you WILL naturally, gravitate toward those who can form a working relationship with you in your feral/TNR efforts. 

I don't necessarily agree with the euthanization of every FIV-positive cat, but that is an assessment only you can make, and hopefully, only after any efforts are exhausted to find owners willing to take FIV-positive cats.   We're still behind in getting communities to let go of this stigma of FIV or FELV-positive cats, every bit of education and encouragement helps.

lexipup July 20th, 2009 02:53:03 AM

I'm going to chime in on Dr. Khuly's comment about not being good at office politics and saying that maybe someday, she'll learn.  For what it's worth - don't ever get good at it.  I'd hate to see you stop being as outspoken as you are about so many important issues in the name of office politics.

Ingrid King July 20th, 2009 08:53:38 AM

This is what it maeans to be a caring human     I agree completly   Dr   if no one wants os cull a colony it will get so bad  that  the authoroties eventually move in and take them all away

Better to PTs sick cats than have them die a LINGERING DEATH

jim hall July 20th, 2009 11:34:35 AM

In 1986 or 1987, my mother concluded that everyone diagnosed as HIV+ should be quarantined else we'd have an unmanageable epidemic. It's simply asking too much that people control such a basic instinct (sex, companionship, possible procreation) with a death sentence over their heads (which it was back then and arguably still is). Yes, it is now considered a manageable chronic illness by many but at what cost to society? How can society possibly prosper if we become a world of the chronically ill with more and more people needing more care than they input? I'm not the least bit inclined to disagree with my uber smart mother who, despite being uber smart, contracted HIV while in what she thought was an exclusive relationship. She died of AIDS complications in 1988 and it would be disrespectful of her for me to disagree with her ultra logical conclusion especially when her prediction has come to pass.

But her prediction hasn't come to pass. AIDS is not an "unmanageable epidemic" in the US or anywhere else where the at-risk populations can be reached with education in safe-sex practices. That includes, by the way, some countries in Africa--where the instinct for reproduction is far more salient than in the US, because the disease is in the heterosexual community, rather than being primarily in the homosexual community.

Moreover, quarantine of substantial numbers in the population for life carries huge costs of its own, both direct costs (you have to put them someplace, provide security to keep them there, provide food, clothing, medical care--and get no productive work out of them, or vanishingly little in comparison to what those same people would do "on the outside."

Sorry, PJ, but humans aren't cats, and cats aren't humans. We can't teach feral cats not to exchange bodily fluids, and that makes an FIV+ cat and an HIV+ human very different propositions.

(Oh, and bonus extra; studying HIV has taught us a lot about the immune system, which reverberate throughout human medical care, not just treatment of HIV. There's another cost to quarantine rather than remembering that HIV+ people are still people, and still members of the community.)

(BTW, someone I knew died of AIDS contracted from a blood transfusion during surgery. And two others died who were in an exclusive relationship--but hadn't been, before they met.)

There is no useful analogy between what we should do about HIV+ humans, and what we should or can do about FIV+ cats who are too feral to be homed.

Lis July 20th, 2009 11:51:13 AM

The piece de résistance (as if someone wanted to lend credence to my way of seeing of things): a dead kitten on my neighbor's driveway this morning. He was the last of the kittens and the wiliest. That's where all of these kittens were headed: a horrible driveway moment for everyone to see--and for a few of us to pick up with mingled pity and disgust.

Dr. Patty Khuly July 20th, 2009 11:53:06 AM

Not going to read all the comments, but I'll say this: if I lived in Miami, I'd volunteer to help you with the neuters.

Julie in OH July 20th, 2009 12:22:29 PM

Sad.

Julie, I'm getting the impression its not the neuters the staff are upset about.  It's the euths.

Which makes it not so much a case of staff not backign Dr. K's TNR efforts, but rather the trap-kill efforts. 

I'm not clear on whether or not its ONLY FIV+ cats being euthed.

Stefani July 20th, 2009 04:16:33 PM

Stefani: No. We're not euthanizing the FIV-positives alone. Some of the littler ones are what raised the ruckus. We didn't test them since the mom was positive and they were already so sick. That got to them. And to me, too. 

Dr. Patty Khuly July 20th, 2009 05:29:50 PM

I say you're doing exactly the right thing, which is doing what you can handle. If you ever want to move up to Central FL, I'll be more than happy to assist you...there's plenty of pathetic unloved ferals here. Anyone who has an issue with your work should be more than willing to offer to adopt some feral kittens or something, not just give you grief when you've had to choose to euthanize. Euthanasia does not = entertainment for any sane person.

Brooke July 20th, 2009 07:48:27 PM

Sounds like everyone all around is very affected by it.  I feel fortunate not to have to see that problem out my front door.  Although, it probably is because of the two major thoroughfares I live near, I am more likely to see what look like healthy pet cats as roadkill than sad ferals.

Stefani July 20th, 2009 09:05:48 PM

I agree with what you're doing, Dr. K.  But if I didn't and I worked for you I wouldn't expect to have to assist you with your pet project.

I have rescued a few animals...less than ten...so I still had the idea then that I COULD save all I encountered.  Then I took in Chief.

Chief was a run down, intact 3 yr old pyrenees mix.Long story shot, I got him neutered, UTD on shots, and microchipped.   I had him for 4 months trying to find him a home...

During that 4 months, he went from being an outdoor dog to living in my house, and he LOVED it.

BUT, he didn't love my pittie, and after several attacks, and hitting that wall of frustration that someone above mentioned, I had Chief put down.

I hated having to do it, but I didn't cause the pet problem. I did try to fix my little area....and I learned ya can't save em all...

I agree with what Dr K is doing, and I would help her...I used to think I would NEVER put down an unwanted pet...but I had to do it...my boys come FIRST.

The problem isn't the TNR or the euth- it's the throw-away attitude people have in this country- be it pets or whatever.

Good luck, Dr K....  

agadoresmama July 21st, 2009 01:29:59 PM

I've spent a couple of days trying to find sympathy for the techs in this situation but I'm not finding it.  They're getting paid.  Unless it is keeping them from getting their other assigned tasks done by taking too much of their time, well, they're getting paid.  Employees do what senior employees or owners need or want done.  Getting coffee or running personal errands was never in any of my job descriptions but I sure did plenty of it because that's what my boss wanted me to do with the time he/she paid me for.  Had one employer I wouldn't help with setting up sessions with his mistress or covering for him with his wife.  I got banned from answering the phone which was answered by another employee and I got a big chunk of her other work.  I was replaced (fired) pretty quickly too.  Employees can hold their ground but there may be a cost, like losing the job - that's life.  I had quite a few unpleasant tasks working for an attorney.  He made the good news calls and I made the bad news calls but the decisions were always his - his license, his office.  As an employee, I'd expect to be fired if I didn't do just about anything that was requested and legal, especially if it is a professional employer to whom belongs the right to make the professional calls.

PJBoosinger July 21st, 2009 07:12:30 PM

PJBoosinger, why should any tech subscribe to aiding the personal interests of a vet during practice hours?  Sorry, but you're wrong, they're NOT getting paid for such things, there is no addition of TNR in their handbook unless they are working specifically for a vet with specific purposes of TNR (like spay/neuter clinic).  Also, no tech should be expected to fetch coffee for a boss, if the boss is too lazy to get it for himself, he needs a personal assistant.  But, you don't see that in practice, do you? Vets abuse techs all of the time, by naturally assuming the tech is their personal assistant.  That's only part of the problem with large turnover. 

lexipup July 22nd, 2009 12:07:20 PM

What if I, a paying customer, brought in a feral cat to be neutered? Or if the cat was really sick and I couldn't afford the vet bills wanted it euthanized, could the techs still refuse to help? Do the techs only chose to help when they want? Do they refuse to euthanize any sickanimal at all? Where is the line drawn here? Everyday humans choose to have their pets euthanized because they are sick. That's life. They need to do their job. If the employer gives the TNR or even the TK the go ahead then it is no longer Dr. Khuly's "extracurricular activity". The establishment has decided to take part, thus its employees take part. If the techs object to euthanasia then get a job at a no-kill shelter.

kat July 23rd, 2009 01:07:51 PM

kat: You're right. They aren't granted the opportunity to refuse when it comes to paying clients. But I can assure you they wouldn't like working for us if we didn't refuse to undertake well-pet euthanasias. As it is, grumbling almost automatically ensues whenever sick but potentially fixable stray pets come in for a euth. If it's an adoptable pet, I'll ask owners to sign pets over to me. If not, especially in the case of severely injured stray cats (dog maul, HBC, etc.) the techs try their hardest to get us to keep the animals alive. It's a stressful judgment call every single time, I promise you.

Dr. Patty Khuly July 23rd, 2009 01:58:37 PM

Dr. K, I'd say that you make such extraordinary attempts to save all you can is precisely the reason they have no room to grinch when you decide euthanasia is appropriate.  If they think they're so smart and wise, perhaps they should get through the vet degree (or some other professional degree) and give it a shot themselves.  Good employees would be understanding on the tough calls and supportive so you don't become hardened and help fewer pets in a "why bother, I'll just get grumbled at sooner or later" mood.

"That's only part of the problem with large turnover."  Sounds to me like the employees think they run the place and THAT's the problem.  If one gets paid for 8 hours and is sitting on their keester for 2 in my office, they're going to be fetching coffee, and lots of other chores or they can go off the clock.  We have tenants in our condos who think they should get to decide lots of stuff too.  Sorry, nope.  I earned the money, I paid for the condo, you don't like my rules or rent, move your butt on out.  (Hearing echoes of demands for 24/7 multiple guards walking the grounds and escort services because a couple of cars were broken into but, OMG, you can't raise the rent one single penny.  Well, duh, yeah, leave your new high tech gear lying in plain sight in the front seat and someone's gonna bust your window and snatch it.  With sense like that, no wonder you're renting instead of able to save and buy.)

PJBoosinger July 23rd, 2009 11:31:53 PM

PJBoosinger, you still don't get it.  From what I understand of Dr. Khuly's article, she is asking if she should expect her staff/techs to assist her in euthanasia of the cats SHE brings in as strays, ferals, as her PERSONAL interest.  The answer is clearly a resounding NO.  If she expects a staff to assist her in her personal efforts, she needs to do so on her own personal time, after clinic hours or to have her own tech who is being paid specifically for the services Dr. Khuly expects.  The rest of the staff/techs were hired to be just that, to treat PATIENTS and to assist veterinarians in the every day business of veterinary medicine.  Unless the practice owner specifies the clinic has turned into a spay/neuter clinic for strays and ferals, or a TNR operation, or shelter operation,  the techs and staff have no obligation or duty to assist in euthanasia because it's a personal campaign for one of the vets.

If you're a vet, and if your techs are sitting around doing nothing as you imply, then that's your problem, it's your duty to ensure the clinic is running sufficiently and the techs are doing their duties.  Fetching coffee for you is not their duty and if I were working for you, I'd tell you straight up if you want your coffee, to get it yourself.  Try firing me on that.  No need, I wouldn't be working for a vet who was too lazy to get their own coffee.

You obviously don't respect the veterinary technician profession, or the schooling, training they undergo to assist vets who appreciate their skills.  Not everyone can afford vet school, least of all actually be selected to attend.   It sounds like you assume you have a special right to treat techs like dirt because you have gone to vet school, earned a degree and somehow that enables you to tell them what to do on your silly whim (I've heard that before, from countless vets, it gets old really fast).  Those techs earned a degree too, you need to respect that.  You also need to respect that they entered the profession for the same reasons as you, for their inherent love of animals and their desire to care for and treat pets, educate, and take pride in their profession.

lexipup July 24th, 2009 11:23:36 AM

It's fascinating how often these comments show that someone was trying to read between the lines on one of Dr. Khuly's posts...and invented some parts out of whole cloth.

Lexipup, where does Dr. Khuly ask anything of her readers in this article (besides the rather rhetorical "what would you have me do")?  Where does she say she expects help from the techs who are protesting?  She's saying that the staff are upset at her because they don't approve of what she's doing, not that she demands their help.  She specifically said that she undertakes these cases with "a minimum of help," in fact, and also mentions that not every one of the staff is angry at her.

What this article says is that she's undertaking some volunteer work--some work that SOMEone has to do--and the staff is upset with her about it.  She's frustrated that it needs doing, that things got to this point because people were irresponsible, and that now that it needs doing she's become the bad guy.  Nowhere does she say that any of these disapproving staff are expected to help her with this undertaking.  She's been requested to do this work after hours so that the staff won't be pissy about the fact that she's doing it, not so the staff won't have to help. 

Galadriel July 24th, 2009 02:33:14 PM

And how about my own personal pets? I expect that they treat them as any paying client's pet. So how are they different than the strays I bring in? After all, I'm a "client," too. The difference is that my personal availability to my techs/kennel staff means they can take out their frustrations on someone in particular...me.

Dr. Patty Khuly July 24th, 2009 06:33:45 PM

I won't explain myself again, the fact that her staff was upset over the euthanasias, I repeat the term, euthanasias, in a seemingly significant number, because of, Dr. Khuly's TNR done on what reads as clinic time, is what I was alluding to.  Assisting or not, the fact the staff was aware of Dr. Khuly's practice with TNR, is akin with the phrase, out of sight, out of mind, only it doesn't apply to this situation, does it?  Knowing and awareness of the practice whether you assist or not, in the clinic where you're preference is saving lives of paying clients is the point.  They didn't sign up for TNR or to a clinic allowing TNR practices during office hours, whether the vet did it in a private room unseen or not.  The staff probably sees enough euthanasia in the clinic from expected illness as it is, why would anyone want to increase that emotional burden? 

Dr. Khuly, your intentions may be admirable.  But, you have to decide, are you a full-time, full-practice veterinarian in a busy clinic, or are you strictly TNR or rescue?  At what point, does your work as a veterinarian suffer, or dedication with client's pets, wane and interfer with your clinic duties because you find you can't do both?  At this point, you can't be both and shouldn't expect the staff to conform to your personal interests.  Since your bosses apparently agree you can do so during times outside of clinic hours, then I guess the whole point is moot, isn't it?  

The difference between your personal pets and those you bring in from the streets is several.  You probably get discounted care for your personal pets, as do your staff. (if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me).  If you choose to pay out of your own pocket for the other animals you bring in, that's an added expense for you, as well as the clinic for increase in supplies.  If you have boundless energy and can work a 15+ hour day doing both, then kudos to you, but eventually, you might burn out, and regret your decisions and you'll learn that suffering only continues despite your best efforts. A better and more long-term approach might be to campaign the community for the support, or join forces with those in the community who are already doing like-minded work.  Education, as you know is the key.  As daunting as that is, it is still the foundation to prevent unwanted, abandoned, feral, cats.  Changing ordinances and other laws (and getting them enforced) should also be on the agenda.  I'm certainly not faulting you for your desire to help those cats, those of us in the trenches understand that beter than anyone, but unless you own your practice, you might find it very difficult in the long run to see your efforts' effects.

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