An RSPCA volunteer has hit out at the animal welfare group for euthanising a seven-month-old puppy, claiming it was healthy and harmless.
The anonymous volunteer claimed the puppy, named Sophie, was put down at the Sydney Adoption Center in Yagoona.
“Today I had one of the most traumatic experiences of my life,” they wrote in a review on the company’s page.
“They euthanized a puppy that was no older than seven months old, was healthy and was not in danger to anyone.”
A spokesperson for the RSPCA NSW confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that the puppy had been euthanized, but disputed the claim that the puppy was healthy.
The volunteer said they had been doing “therapy” with the puppy for the past month to socialize her and even offered to take her home.
But Friday morning they came to work and found Sophie unconscious on the floor – sedated before the euthanasia.
“I cried and begged them not to do it, to let me take her home and they told me it wasn’t possible, and that they had already tried everything with her but couldn’t socialize,” they wrote.
The anonymous volunteer claimed the puppy, named Sophie, was put down at the Sydney Adoption Center in Yagoona
‘I have been involved in animal activism for over twenty years, this animal was far from unrehabilitated, she just needed time and good therapy.
‘It was a sweet puppy who you trusted in a short time and liked to seek human contact, she deserved a chance, this is injustice. Her name was Sofie.
‘I’m devastated, and I’m going to try to get anyone considering making a donation here to face the reality and make a conscious donation, because for me this is far from what should be considered animal protection.’
Vegan activist Tash Peterson said she was outraged when she heard about the “murder” at the shelter.
“Thanks to the dedicated efforts of a volunteer who saw her potential, Sophie had a good chance at life,” Ms Peterson said.
“The claim that she was ‘unsocializable’ is heartbreaking and unacceptable. Sophie deserved more time, care and a real chance at life.
‘This tragedy highlights a bigger problem: the conflicting values of the RSPCA.
“Although they label themselves as animal rights activists, their seal of approval is on products made from the bodies of animals exploited and murdered for profit, including meat, dairy and eggs.”
Vegan activist Tash Peterson said she was outraged when she heard about the shelter’s ‘murder’
Ms Peterson said the story served as a reminder of the need to adopt animals from shelters rather than support animal breeders.
Animal rights activist Sheena Chhabra, of Plant Based Treaty, said it was “unacceptable for any animal to be killed prematurely simply because they have not adapted to their environment.”
“Organizations like the RSPCA are about protecting animals and giving them a chance at life, not throwing them away if they don’t fit into a pre-defined system,” Ms Chhabra said.
RSPCA NSW said the inspectorate delivered Sophie to the shelter last month, along with a “large group of animals” seized from two people who had been disqualified from keeping animals.
“Sophie presented in a very poor condition and was in severe distress on admission, which was indicative of a traumatic background,” a spokesperson said.
She was not made available for adoption due to her “very complex behavioral needs.”
There were also no behavioral foster carers available to take her, and the group’s behavioral and rehabilitation centers were operating at full capacity.
Although the group’s behavioral and rehabilitation team worked closely with her to try to build trust, she “continued to show overwhelming fear and anxiety.”
“After weeks of being with us, Sophie’s anxiety and avoidance remained overwhelmingly high,” the spokesperson said.
‘She was still unable to leave her kennel to go to the toilet, exercise, sniff or explore – basic activities essential to her physical and mental health.
‘Sophie also began to show physical symptoms of chronic stress, which further highlighted her deteriorating condition.’
The decision was made to euthanize her to prevent “further distress and suffering.”
RSPCA NSW has six shelters across the state, with the shelter in Yagoona, Sydney being the largest.
All shelters offer animals for adoption, including dogs and cats that are surrendered as injured strays, seized by an inspector, or surrendered by owners.
But they don’t have the resources to care for unharmed stray animals, which must instead be handed in to the council’s pound.
In total, NSW sanctuaries care for more than 14,000 animals per year.