Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-09
LoNDoN's DOG ASYLUM.
A "Red Acre Farm" for. Lost and
Homeless Animals.

IL. 90 nope no street boy will see II,
ior IN that case 1 wouldn't give much
chance Tor its life" said one woman to
another, both Of whom had crossed the
| street. attracted by the appealing eyes
| OF stray dog which had taken shell
| ter in a London doorawy. The women
were utter strangers to each other.
but the stray dog was the bond of na-
| ture that proved they were akin. The
second woman told her new-found
friend that she had often. wished
that something could be done for straw
dogs, but that she was almost in de-
spair as she did not know which way
to turn or what to do.
We'll. let's see what we can do"
said the first speaker; I'VE can at
least interest our friends for I know
many Of mine are just as deeply con-
cerned as 1 am"
Such was the simple beginning OF a
definite effort to help and succor dumb
animals. The result was the opening
of the London Temporary Home for
Lost and Starving Dogs in 1860. To-
day the capitalization of the land and
kennels amounts to $325.000, with his
majesty. Edward VII, king Of Eng
land, it's chic. patron.
Wishing to visit the home for my
SELF / made my way one morning to
Battersea. Hare the institution il sit
uated. It's ohjl.t is to rescue lost dogs
from misery and Starvatiou; to clear
the streets from the nuisance and dan
gers of straying. ownerless dogs; to
substitute for cruel processes Of de-
eft lifa
therefore merciful and scientific
method. when killing is absolutely
necessary; to find owners and suitable
homes for many useful and valuable
animals; to prevent exorbitant re-
wards being extorted by unprincipled
and desiging persons for the recovery
of lost favorites and to restore dogs to
their rightful owners upon payment
of little more than the cost Of keep
during their residence at the refuge.
The municipal authorities, recognizing
its value, give financial aid by the pay
ment of sixpence for each dog ad-
mitted. On an average twenty-four
thousand are annually taken In. Since
its organization S11, 900 dogs have been
received.
The head keeper. who has been there
for twenty-seven years is usually the
cicerone. To a lover of dogs this typi-
cal British cockney will open his heart
and talk eloquentlv Of the animals in
his care. His perfect control over
them is wonderful. In the wagons
sent out all over the city, about three
hundred dogs are daily collected and
placed in the hands of this man and
his nine assistants.
The very strong sentiment against
vivisection created by the opponents
Of such practices serves to benefit the
animals received In the home. String
ent measures are taken to protect
them from this fate, worse than death.
On no account are dogs sold for ex-
Pronunciation or for any purpose,
physiological. pathological. theological:
nor to any person giving his address
at a hospital, nor to animal trainers.
No animals may be taken away alive
except the claimed or sold. The great
number of dogs admitted every day
makes it imperative that the kennels
be cleared frequently. in order to make
room for new arrivals. This is done
in several ways. Fine dogs unclaimed
after certain time are sold. but great
care is exercised by the committee TO
make sure of good homes and kind
masters In all cases the purchaser
must give the reason for his wish to
buy. and If the committee is not per-
fectly satisfied 1t may arbitrarily re-
fuse to sell.
Where such numbers Of them are
gathered together, many dogs will be
~ r. A.
both humanitarian and effective, for
their final dispos. was a problem, In
its solution the aid Of modern medical
progress has been invoked. After
long period of study and experiment.
ing, the late Sir Benjamin Richard
son. the discoverer of the application
of laughing gas. devised q process for
the painless extinction of life. which
one of the officers said in hs annual
address was $50 effective that some Of
us would like to die by that means
when our time. comes" The doomed
dogs are collected in a cage having two
compartments one for small. the other
for large dogs. capable Of holding one
hundred at q time. 1t 10 then run in
to an air-tight chamber previously
charged with narcotic vapor. A few
moments later. when the cage IL with
drawn. the logs appear to be peace
fully sleeping. so quickly and painless
" has death come to them The bodies
are then cremated and reduced to bone
powder, which is used as fertilizer.
For twenty three years. until the
painless process was invented. dogs
had been killed by the administration
Of prussic acid. This method, besides
being difficult and disagreeable to ap-
ply, VISA fraught with danger to the
keepers. The home authorities con-
slider il almost miraculous that no hu-
man fatalities occurred In the handling
of this deadly poison. * . 80
Overcrowding has necessftated the
purchase Of another home. frssh-atr
home. as il were. This IL located
about eight and a half miles In the
country. and IL designed. to receive
fine dogs which are unclaimed. but are
too valuable to be put to death. Quite
a snug sum Is realized from the sale
Of these animals.
The home is supported by voluntary
long list OF subscriD-
.rs is headed by no less a parsonage
than King Edward himself. Another