Today's Building a No Kill Community workshop, hosted by No Kill Houston and featuring Nathan Winograd, was information-packed and totally fascinating. As always, Nathan put on an incredible presentation, and Bett Sundermeyer, President of No Kill Houston, coordinated a great event.
We live Tweeted from the event to @NoKillNation's followers, and disseminated a LOT of information. Check out our feed for a recap of what Nathan talked about today, and look for lots of upcoming blog posts about how to transform your own community with the principles of No Kill!Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
'Rescue Dog' Proposed as NY's Next State Pooch
As false, preconceived notions about our nation's homeless pets begin to fall away, our country's collective consciousness is gradually changing. One stereotype that, sadly, still prevails in some people's minds is that shelter pets are somehow "damaged." It's a long-standing belief that they were abandoned because there's something wrong with them, but, this couldn't be less true.
And in Assemblyman Micah Kellner's new bill, he's looking to shed these silly stereotypes and champion the joys of shelter dogs! This proposed legislation asks that the rescue dog be recognized as the official state pooch of New York. The bill is designed to be in part, educational, helping to introduce people to all the benefits of adopting dogs from shelters.
As the bill states: "Dogs do so much good for the community: they give us a sense of optimism, safeguard us from depression and loneliness, and break down the barriers that isolate us from one another. Their presence improves our health, protects us from danger, and teaches us about caring and responsibility. And they ask for so little in return."
Additionally, the term "rescue dogs" incorporates all breeds, from purebred to mutt.
So please, show your support for this terrific legislation! And click here to read the full text of the proposed bill.
And in Assemblyman Micah Kellner's new bill, he's looking to shed these silly stereotypes and champion the joys of shelter dogs! This proposed legislation asks that the rescue dog be recognized as the official state pooch of New York. The bill is designed to be in part, educational, helping to introduce people to all the benefits of adopting dogs from shelters.
As the bill states: "Dogs do so much good for the community: they give us a sense of optimism, safeguard us from depression and loneliness, and break down the barriers that isolate us from one another. Their presence improves our health, protects us from danger, and teaches us about caring and responsibility. And they ask for so little in return."
Additionally, the term "rescue dogs" incorporates all breeds, from purebred to mutt.
So please, show your support for this terrific legislation! And click here to read the full text of the proposed bill.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Mismanagement Continues at MDAS
Even with the recent distemper outbreak and shut down of multiple services at Miami Dade Animal Services, little has changed. And while Director Dr. Sara Pizano has put a host of new rules in place - few, if any of these rules are actually being followed by her staff, according to reputable reports from rescuers and others visiting the shelter.
Due to the recent crisis situation and efforts thereafter, it was announced by MDAS that there would no longer be any holds allowed on animals. First come, first serve.
Why then, according to recent reports from rescuers, was a hold placed on a particular cat by The Cat Network? (Additionally, the cat was first deemed a she, then turned out to be a he ...)
When rescuers emailed to inquire about the cat, they were first told he was put to sleep (KILLED) due to an upper respiratory infection (a completely treatable condition, so why would they kill him to begin with? Especially given that the facility is nowhere near capacity).
Next, rescuers were told the cat was not PTS, and actually had a microchip.
Lastly, rescuers were told the cat was adopted out to a regular citizen, since citizens take preference over rescue groups. So what's the real story? WHO KNOWS. It changes every time.
Now on to a second example of mismanagement.
According to a report from the citizen in question, a woman came in to adopt a particular dog who was within the five-day stray hold period. She was a Miami Dade County resident, and planned to take the dog under MDAS' foster-to-adopt program, where local citizens can take an animal, but must return him if the owner appears within the five-day period.
She was told by MDAS staff that the dog had already been claimed by a rescue, and she couldn't have him. The rescue in question was not in Miami Dade County, and adopters are supposed to always take preference over rescue groups, so she inquired as to why she couldn't have the dog.
She was told by multiple staff members that it was too late, the rescue had already paid for the dog and were taking him.
Even after the crisis, the public scrutiny, and the drastic reduction in the number of animals on the premises, the mismanagement and ongoing mistakes at MDAS are patently obvious. A new shelter will NOT change this lack of leadership. We ask you to join us in asking for the resignation of Dr. Sara Pizano, in favor of a new, compassionate director with superlative leadership skills. Only then can we begin to turn the tide of save the lives of these homeless animals in our community.
Due to the recent crisis situation and efforts thereafter, it was announced by MDAS that there would no longer be any holds allowed on animals. First come, first serve.
Why then, according to recent reports from rescuers, was a hold placed on a particular cat by The Cat Network? (Additionally, the cat was first deemed a she, then turned out to be a he ...)
When rescuers emailed to inquire about the cat, they were first told he was put to sleep (KILLED) due to an upper respiratory infection (a completely treatable condition, so why would they kill him to begin with? Especially given that the facility is nowhere near capacity).
Next, rescuers were told the cat was not PTS, and actually had a microchip.
Lastly, rescuers were told the cat was adopted out to a regular citizen, since citizens take preference over rescue groups. So what's the real story? WHO KNOWS. It changes every time.
Now on to a second example of mismanagement.
According to a report from the citizen in question, a woman came in to adopt a particular dog who was within the five-day stray hold period. She was a Miami Dade County resident, and planned to take the dog under MDAS' foster-to-adopt program, where local citizens can take an animal, but must return him if the owner appears within the five-day period.
She was told by MDAS staff that the dog had already been claimed by a rescue, and she couldn't have him. The rescue in question was not in Miami Dade County, and adopters are supposed to always take preference over rescue groups, so she inquired as to why she couldn't have the dog.
She was told by multiple staff members that it was too late, the rescue had already paid for the dog and were taking him.
Even after the crisis, the public scrutiny, and the drastic reduction in the number of animals on the premises, the mismanagement and ongoing mistakes at MDAS are patently obvious. A new shelter will NOT change this lack of leadership. We ask you to join us in asking for the resignation of Dr. Sara Pizano, in favor of a new, compassionate director with superlative leadership skills. Only then can we begin to turn the tide of save the lives of these homeless animals in our community.
No Kill Advocacy Center & No Kill Nation Launch Rescue Five-O
Putting an end to the killing of healthy & treatable companion animals in this country is an idea whose time has come. And that's why, in partnership with the No Kill Advocacy Center, we've launched Rescue Five-O! It's the next step on our path towards a No Kill Nation.
Rescue Five-O is a three-part nationwide campaign to rescue animals from death in the shelters and pounds of all 50 states by reforming our nation's broken animal shelter system.
The three steps include:
1. Campaign for new leadership in local shelters
2. Political advocacy at the local level
3. Legislative changes at the state and local level.
The great thing about Rescue Five-O is that its designed to serve as a tool and support system for advocates across the country. We are here to help you - to guide you, to educate you and to give you the tools you need to push local legislation and shelter leadership changes in your area. All you have to do is read up on the materials on the website, and then reach out to us!
Read more about Rescue Five-O on the new Facebook page, and check out Nathan Winograd's blog about the endeavor. Join us on our mission to make the US a No Kill Nation!
Rescue Five-O is a three-part nationwide campaign to rescue animals from death in the shelters and pounds of all 50 states by reforming our nation's broken animal shelter system.
The three steps include:
1. Campaign for new leadership in local shelters
2. Political advocacy at the local level
3. Legislative changes at the state and local level.
The great thing about Rescue Five-O is that its designed to serve as a tool and support system for advocates across the country. We are here to help you - to guide you, to educate you and to give you the tools you need to push local legislation and shelter leadership changes in your area. All you have to do is read up on the materials on the website, and then reach out to us!
Read more about Rescue Five-O on the new Facebook page, and check out Nathan Winograd's blog about the endeavor. Join us on our mission to make the US a No Kill Nation!
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