Save Intermountain Animals Updates

After the Jan, 07 2011 announcement from Intermountain Humane Society (IMHS) regarding the ringworm outbreak and subsequent euthanasia of all residents of the shelters cattery, several community members began to form a group called Save Intermountain Animals (SIA). Knowing that during 2007 there was a similar outbreak of ringworm in which no animals were euthanized, the purpose of SIA from the onset has been to work with the board of directors (BoD) and staff members of IMHS to create policies and procedures where euthanasia is considered only as a last resort. In the days between the announcement and the January BoD meeting of IMHS, the group created a preliminary, draft, document to be used to open discussions with the BoD and shelter staff. Here are the initial documents which were presented to the BoD just prior to the board meeting. (click to open PDF's for review)

Cover Letter
Guidelines
Asilomar Accords
Contingency Plan
Proposed Euthanasia Policy
Emergency Treatment Form
Euthanasia Treatment Decision Form

While several speakers in the meeting did refer to the group and its efforts, SIA did not give the BoD sufficient time to review the documents and therefore did not pursue action items related to the groups endeavor at the January meeting .

In the week following the meeting, IMHS contacted several of the veterinary professionals who were associated with SIAs efforts and requested a meeting between them, the shelter director and two members of the BoD. At that meeting, IMHS outlined some concerns with the proposal and requested that the veterinary professionals meet with other members of the group to discuss these concerns. In the following days, they also outlined these concerns in an email response to SIA. Click below to view this response in PDF format:

Response from IMHS

SIA met the following week and several members were assigned tasks of addressing the various concerns and were put onto the agenda for the February board meeting.

At the February board meeting each of the speakers from SIA who requested time were heard. Much of the discussion surrounded the liability issues which IMHS brought forth in their response.

Additionally, the BoD was presented with some updates from SIA which are found here:

Notes from Feb Meeting

The group was then given a second written response from IMHS at the end of the open session of the meeting. That document can be found here:

IMHS Response #2

Several members of SIA will be meeting again this week to discuss this second response as well as next steps in attempting to work with IMHS BoD and staff to find a reasonable and workable solution which leaves euthanasia as a last resort for animals in its care.

If you are interested in being a member of SIA please send an email to and your name will be added to the distribution list. All members are kept private and confidential and your email will not be used for any purpose other than communication to the group.

Thank you for all your work.

Thanks for the report. Any idea of dates for changes in policy?

I don't think they will do much unless pressure forces them.

SIA will post updates regarding dates and/or changes to policy as they are communicated to us. At this time we are confident that the lines of communication will remain open and that IMHS will continue to listen to input from its members and supporters. SIA does encourage everyone to attend the BoD meetings and to support IMHS, as you are able and feel comfortable, including membership, volunteering, donating and visiting the thrift store.