ASPCA and HSUS Fight Against No-Kill Goal?

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San Francisco, once at the vanguard of the “no-kill” movement, was in 1993 stopped in its pursuit of a no-kill city. Shocking to many to discover that it was the HSUS and the ASPCA who were the agents behind the failure. It is not a subject or position that you will find on their websites. ASPCA called the idea of a no-kill city a “hoax,” and HSUS conducted a multi-year campaign against it. So reports Nathan Winograd, who covered the1993 proceedings. Winograd was there again, March 12, 2009, testifying at the request of the Animal Welfare Commission looking to enact legislation that would create the first no kill city. And again ASPCA and HSUS were there to testify against it.

San Francisco is once again seeking to be on the cutting edge of animal welfare by instituting the Companion Animal Protection Act (CAPA), handing mandated guidelines to shelters that will ensure that before killing an animal the following requirements are met:

l. There are no empty cages, kennels, or other living environments in the shelter;
2. The animal cannot share a cage or kennel with another animal;
3. A foster home is not available;
4. Rescue groups have been notified and are not willing to accept the animal;
5. The animal is not a feral cat subject to sterilization and release;
6. The director of the agency certifies he or she has no other alternative.

This is something to testify against? These guidelines do not appear to be burdensome, indeed, most people might expect that such common sense measures would already be in place. But according to Winograd’s report, this is not the case. Instead of working to the highest welfare and protection of animals, ASPCA and HSUS are working to protect the rights of Animal Care and Control and the SPCA to operate at their own discretion. And so while publically claiming all their agencies are doing all they can to reduce kill numbers, it would seem that is not true. Otherwise, why fight such a clear, easy- to- follow mandate? ASPCA and HSUS fight against the No-Kill goal. This is shockingly poor judgment that reveals an untenable position from a fundraising perspective. Was it their thinking that no one would notice? We welcome a position statement from principals. Read Winograd’s thorough and important report for more.

On Another Track Down This Road…

What I find particularly interesting, even exciting, is that the Companion Animal Act would ensure that “No-Kill” would be an achievable, inexpensive goal for cities, especially now when budgets are so strained they can’t afford to fill potholes, repair infrastructure, or rehab crumbling schools.

It is, in fact, the basic formula that is followed in Chicago under the umbrella of the Chicago Animal Shelter Alliance (CASA). It is this Alliance that has brought fantastic results in the City’s save rate. CASA has been around for around 6 years, and in that time kill rates have been cut in half to the very low 20,000’s (more available as soon as I get stats)! I’ve wanted to hear from other cities whose shelters are working together to see what gold has been spun from nothing more than good will (well, maybe it’s not that easy).

Also noted in Winograd’s report is the news that following the CAPA guidelines means that legislation currently pushed by HSUS, like the highly ineffective, multi-million dollar boondoggle known as Mandatory Spay Neuter (or Pet Protection Act—a skunk by any other name,..),would be easily seen for what it is, unnecessary.

Of course, this is what the current fight in Chicago is all about—and it will be coming to your city soon, so take note. Unfortunately for Chicago, PAWS and HSUS have the money and influence to gain the ear of the Mayor, so the chatter goes, and they are still pushing their unfathomable agenda as I write.

Simple, inexpensive solutions are what’s needed, not a patchwork of ineffective, expensive mandates that have not worked anywhere else–oh yes, except that one place that was reported to have deliberately rigged its numbers by not using actual shelter statistics!

http://www.dancingdogblog.com/2009/03/aspca-and-hsus-fight-against-no-kill-goal/

From the Beverly Hills Courier Re Katherine Varjian

The Famous Feral Cat Lady Roams Free

Amanda Peabody

Published 08/13/2009 - 6:57 p.m. CST

There will be no criminal charges for the feeding of feral cats, at least for now. The criminal case pending against 65-year-old Katherine Varjian was dismissed August 7.

Varjian was charged for the feeding of feral cats in the alley behind the 100-200 blocks of Palm, Maple and Oakhurst Drives. Varjian was cited with two misdemeanor charges under a deleted City code (5-2-104, subdivision B and C). Varjian had been initially issued four citations, all for the same infraction, in January and February of this year. Two of those citations were dismissed at the pre-trial hearing in July due to the omission of the codes. The other two were upheld, pending trial, as they were in place while the code still existed.

“I think it was a great thing (that the case was dismissed),” said Tina Varjian, counsel for Varjian. “I don’t think (the court) could have gone any other way except dismiss because the City Council made it clear at the last two meetings that they were looking for a new and different ordinance that embraces trap-neuter-release (TNR).”

Counsel for Varjian requested dismissal of the case on the grounds that City Council did not intend to uphold the erroneously deleted code.

“From the position of the prosecutor, I go with what the law is,” said City Prosecutor Jim Eckart. “At the end of the day, the law was repealed. Ultimately my hope is that Ms. Varjian will comply with currently existing laws and laws that will exist in the future.”

“I think the case should not have been dismissed,” said resident Darian Bojeaux, who organized a petition signed by other concerned community members alleging that Varjian’s feedings have caused a nuisance in the area. Residents claim Varjian’s mishandling of food bring rodents, cockroaches and coyotes to the area, endangering the welfare of neighbors and their pets.

“City Council should have protected the residents and restricted feeding in the alleys unless otherwise allowed by law. The case could have gone forward against Varjian and then they could have enacted a TNR ordinance in the meantime. I think if nothing is done about it, she will continue. Now, not only is she continuing to feed, she has people helping her out,” continued Bojeaux.

A committee has been formed, at the request of City Council and consisting of experts in the field of feral animal care as well as local residents (including Bojeaux), to present a comprehensive ordinance to the City. A draft ordinance will be presented to City Council on Aug. 18. Per committee members, the ordinance will emphasize TNR, however there are still details needing to be resolved.

Varjian has refrained from feeding the feral cat colony in the interim, said her counsel.

“We’re hoping that the guidelines in place for feral cat care givers like herself and others in Beverly Hills,” said Tina Varjian. “Obviously she cares for these cats and they are well fed. There should be no reason why she shouldn’t be able to continue within the guidelines constructed.”

http://67.59.172.92/article/More_Local_News/More_Local_News/The_Famous_Feral_Cat_Lady_Roams_Free/65377

Vick Gets Hired; Winograd Unloads Again

Vick got a two year contract with Philadelphia. He can apply for full reinstatement in October. Winograd now claims Vick says he was not responsible, for his animal cruelty.

HSUS Spokesman Michael Vick: ‘Not My Fault’

August 12, 2009 by Nathan J. Winograd

When Wayne Pacelle, the CEO of the Humane Society of the United States embraced the most notorious animal abuser of our time as an HSUS spokesman and agreed to help him improve his image and get back into the NFL, he told us that Michael Vick was reformed and wants to be “part of the solution.” As insincere and obscene as that rationale was, it turns out that it isn’t even part of Vick’s talking points, as he recently claimed to students that he isn’t responsible for the brutal abuse, torture, and killing of dogs.

According to ESPN,

Vick told a crowd of about 250 to “use me as an example for your dreams.” Vick also told them that after accomplishing his goals he “allowed someone who didn’t have my best interests at heart to take all that away from me,” according to a release from the school.

So someone else made him kill dogs:

• By hanging: “by placing a nylon cord over a 2 x 4 that was nailed to two trees located next to the big shed.”
• By drowning: “by putting the dogs’ heads in a 5 gallon bucket of water.”
• By beating: “by slamming [dogs] to the ground several times … breaking the dog’s back or neck.”
• By shooting: “by shooting the animal with a .22 caliber handgun.”
• By electrocution. According to one of the people Vick paid “to live on the property, take care of the dogs, and arrange dog fights,” “He admitted killing numerous dogs after ‘testing’ and after fights by shooting and electrocuting the dogs and then burying them on the… property.”

Someone else made him kill dogs who would not fight rather than give them away even though his coconspirators wanted to give them away but “Vick stated ‘they got to go,’ meaning they needed to be killed.” Someone else made him further brutalize dogs that would not initially die from hanging:

• “One dog that did not die from hanging was taken down and drowned in a 5 gallon bucket of water.”
• In another case, “Vick took down one of the dogs that would not die from hanging and tossed the dog to the side. He later hung the same dog until it died. He wore overalls, which were hung in the garage, when he killed the dogs, so he would not soil his clothes.”

This is the sadist who is now an HSUS spokesman (or is it the other way around?), and who Pacelle is asking the American people to embrace as “reformed.” This is the man Pacelle wants to go into classrooms to tell young children the lesson he has learned: That if you are caught torturing and killing animals for fun, do not take responsibility. You can do whatever you want. You can take great pleasure in watching family pets be torn to shreds.You can electrocute, hang, shoot, drown, and beat dogs to death yourself. You can lie to federal investigators. You can shift the blame to others. Because, in the end, you’ll get everything you lost back in the process—including playing in the NFL.

And HSUS, the nation’s largest animal protection group, will help you do it.

New Story About Jimmy Coming in the Daily News

Since the Commission and Council Won't Do It...

Since the AS Commission has not presented lately any non-S/N ideas to Council lately for legislation, what if we, the people, put some of our own ideas on the ballot?

I propose a ballot measure to mandate No-Kill within three years.

First, No-Kill will be described as a goal and has an operative meaning other than a literal meaning. That operational meaning will be described, not as no adoptable or treatable animal being killed, because using those terms, Marcia Mayeda said County was no kill in 2005 even after killing 79% of all impounded cats. We might use the 90% definition now currently accepted by many as "No-Kill," of we might get even clearer medical definitions.

In any event, we put out a ballot that acknowledges that LA Voters have shown by previous a ballot measure their commitment to the No-Kill concept, but that for one reason or another, the kill rates and numbers have climbed. Now it is time to make the City to be held accountable for making No-Kill happen.

But there has to be some mechanism for making the City accountable if it doesn't happen or the same old complaints of under staffing, poor employees, union, civil service and a bad public will be trotted out again as reasons not to achieve No-Kill.

What do you think?

Michael Vick to Appear on "60 Minutes"

First Interview Since Admitting to Dogfighting and Going To Prison; Sunday, Aug. 16, 7 P.M. ET/PT

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  Michael Vick, in July 2009. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

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• Michael Vick Gets OK to Play in NFL

(CBS) Former pro-football star Michael Vick speaks to CBS Sports NFL Today anchor James Brown on 60 Minutes in his first interview since he admitted two years ago to running a dogfighting ring - a crime that landed him in federal prison for 18 months and got him suspended from the NFL.

The interview, conducted Monday, Aug. 10 in Virginia, will be broadcast on 60 Minutes this Sunday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

The ex-Atlanta Falcon's quarterback was conditionally re-instated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on July 27, a week after he was released from federal custody. If a team is interested in him, Vick could be playing again in a regular league game by the sixth week of the NFL season.

The segment will also include interviews with Wayne Pacelle, head of the Humane Society of the U.S., the country's largest organization dedicated to the protection of animals. Tony Dungy, the former NFL coach who will be a special advisor to Vick, will also be interviewed.

More Winograd on HSUS and Vick

Nathan J. Winograd

Dear Friends and Colleagues: One of the dogs saved from Michael Vick After almost twenty years working in the humane movement and several years as a criminal prosecutor, I have seen, read about, and experienced many unexpected and heartbreaking moments of animals being harmed. The conduct of Michael Vick ranks at the very top. And last week, the Commissioner of the National Football League (NFL) added insult to injury by reinstating Vick into the NFL. But the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is asking us to give Vick what he refused to give the dogs he abused and killed: a second chance. Based on what we know now, we should not do this. There is a difference between sincere remorse and being used. If Michael Vick was sincere, this wouldn’t be about getting back into the NFL. This wouldn’t be about barring the public, keeping the media out, and blocking the windows. This wouldn’t be about meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell or hiring “handlers” and public relations consultants. Michael Vick would be talking to anyone who would listen that he is truly sorry and will make it right. But, most importantly, he would be talking to federal investigators. And while the victims of his crimes—the dogs he tortured and killed—can never be brought back; while they can no longer think and feel and run and play and eat and sleep and bark and love and be loved; while their only life has been taken from them; while it is over, because they are gone, forever; there are dogs being killed and torn apart to this very day and Michael Vick has the power to stop it. Michael Vick has the information which can deal a crushing blow to dog fighters and dog fighting in the United States. He can make a profound impact on the lives of dogs being abused and tortured today. In fact, there could be a dozen arrests and closures of dog fighting rings by now thanks to the information he could potentially provide to HSUS and federal investigators. He knows who the dog fighters are. He knows where the dog fights are held. He knows where they are getting the dogs. He knows where they are getting the animals used as “bait.” He knows where they live. He knows where they keep the dogs. He knows where they buy and keep the instruments of torture. He can stop it. A person as deeply involved in the U.S. dog fighting racket as Vick could implicate many other dog fighters and provide valuable information that could shut them down. This is the commitment HSUS should have extracted from Michael Vick. Once the investigations were complete, once the arrests were made, once Michael Vick testified against them in court, once they were convicted, once the dogs being tortured were rescued, once the whole bloody enterprise was shut down, then and only then, should anyone listen to talk of remorse. At the same time, HSUS would have been getting ready to do its part by using the money it raised and raises off its association with Michael Vick to build kennels across the country specifically for victims of dog fighting and all the dogs to be rescued from their campaign of dog fighting eradication, as is their job and so that local shelters aren’t left to do it alone. Those kennels would be staffed with HSUS employees whose jobs would not only be care, feeding, socialization and, for those dogs who need it, rehabilitation, but ultimately, it would include rescue transfer, adoption, and, if necessary, lifetime sanctuary care. That is what I hope is happening behind the scenes. And that is what I hope they will announce: the simultaneous arrests of dog fighters all over the country thanks to information supplied by Michael Vick and an announcement by HSUS of the kennels they have been constructing to get ready in response, so none of the rescued dogs will be killed, as HSUS recommended for all of Vick’s victims. But without any evidence of this—and given HSUS’ history of killing victims of dog fighting and defending poorly performing and abusive animal shelters; and given Vick’s sadistic history and history of lying to federal investigators—it would be naïve and irresponsible to believe that is what is going on. I hope HSUS and Michael Vick prove me wrong. I hope they make the startling announcement. I hope we get to watch videos of federal agents busting operations thanks to information supplied by Vick. I hope they show the kennels HSUS has constructed to save those dogs. I promise this if they do: if they commit to saving all the rescued dogs, if things turn out to be what they should be, it won’t “erase” what Vick did, but no one will cheer louder than me. For more reading: Riding on Vick's Bloodstained Coattails Down the Rabbit Hole In Bed with Monsters No Kill Advocacy Center's Letter to NFL Award Winning PBS Documentary This month, PBS stations across the country will begin airing Fifteen Legs, an award winning documentary about saving the lives of animals from shelters that kill. The documentary tells the story of everyday heroes who go the extra mile (often thousands of miles) to save the lives of dogs and cats from killing shelters by driving them across the country into loving new homes. The documentary is an indictment of the shelter killing system and a celebration of the indomitable spirit to do what is right. According to author and filmmaker Bonnie Silva, Some people take issue with the term “kill-shelter” — asserting that this terminology unfairly indicts individuals who participate in the grim task of euthanizing completely adoptable animals. But even a softer term like “euthanizing shelter,” if it were to be used, cannot provide a thick enough gloss to conceal the disturbing, awful truth. Animals who are euthanized or “put to sleep” do not wake up, ever. Whether they are euthanized by lethal injection, gassed or destroyed by other unspeakable means, they are no longer with us when the process of euthanizing them is complete. They cease to drink, cry, bark, meow, play and feel. They are gone. But often, all that stands between death and freedom is a ride. And Bill Maher, host of “Real Time with Bill Maher” is telling you that “The clock is ticking – so come aboard a railroad like no other, and hitch a ride to freedom alongside society’s most desperate, unwanted animals.” For more information, to watch a clip, and for broadcast schedule, click here. PAWS... For Some News Do you have a passion for saving dogs? The Nevada Humane Society is looking a dog care manager to help fulfill their No Kill initiative. They are currently saving 93% of dogs and climbing. For a copy of the job description, click here. To apply, click here. The No Kill Blog Sadly, the large national groups have rallied around the decision by the NFL. HSUS has gone one step further and actually embraced Michael Vick. Read "Down the Rabbit Hole" by clicking here. Twitter News & Tidbits Follow me on twitter and stay up to date with No Kill news from around the country, including real time updates of new blog posts. The Examiner As the San Francisco Animal Shelter writer for examiner.com, I am writing about local and national news from a San Francisco Bay Area perspective. Read the articles byclicking here. Stay Connected

More Pacelle on Vick from Facebook

Talk Back: Michael Vick's Next Play

Readers have had a range of reactions about The HSUS giving Michael Vick the opportunity to participate in our community-based End Dogfighting outreach programs designed to steer kids away from dogfighting. We took note of the anti-gang and anti-violence programs done by others in urban communities, and re-engineered these programs to combat dogfighting. These programs are built around the leadership of ex-dogfighters who have turned around their lives and who are now engaging kids in more positive interactions with pit bulls.

There’s still a lot of raw anger over what Vick did, and we at The HSUS share the feeling that his acts of cruelty were horrible and wrong. That’s why we so aggressively worked for his prosecution. But dogfighting is always horrible and wrong, no matter who does it or where it happens. I imagine that readers would have the same reaction to every dogfighting case we’re involved with because it always has the same basic story line: people taking enjoyment from the extreme pain and suffering they directly or indirectly inflict upon animals. In this case, Vick's prominence ensured that the details of the case would be repeated over and over again.

I've laid out our general position on Michael Vick's future as an anti-dogfighting advocate consistently during the last several months, but today I want to add something to what I've said.

With tens of thousands of people involved in dogfighting, in hundreds of communities, it is impossible for us and law enforcement to arrest or scare off all of the perpetrators. We have to prevent them from getting involved in the first place, and build community support for our position. That’s why we have added our community-based programs to our portfolio of anti-dogfighting activities.

I personally am thrilled whenever a dogfighter turns around, just like I am pleased when a trophy hunter lays down his weapon or a bullfighter puts down his cape to join our side. I have to think that many of the ex-dogfighters we work with may have some self-interested motivations in getting involved. But we give them a chance to demonstrate an actual, on-the-ground commitment to our (and other) programs, and then we make our judgments. It's the same with Michael Vick. We did not endorse his return to the NFL, or vouch for his character, and he is not a spokesperson for The HSUS. Rather, we are simply giving him a chance to make good on his promise that he is through with dogfighting and now wants to be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem. That’s what we do at The HSUS: we give people an opportunity to turn away from cruelty and toward the light of kindness and compassion.

If Michael Vick doesn’t fulfill his pledge to combat dogfighting, we’ll be the first to call attention to that. But if he does come through, and he turns some kids around and helps animals, then I’ll be the first one to say that’s a good thing. Change for the better is what we are all about.

Beverly Hills Colony Manager Goes to Court Friday

Watch video from the Beverly Hills Municipal Court case in July. Read the latest news about the Varjian case. Christi Metropole was interviewed. Support Stray Cat Alliance's advocacy campaigns to keep our ferals/strays safe! Stray Cat Alliance Hotline: (310) 281-6973 info@straycatalliance.org Learn more about SCA's trap depots and clinics www.StrayCatAlliance.org PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT KATHERINE VARJIAN Next Court hearing... THIS FRIDAY Date: August 7, 2009 Time: 1:30 p.m. Where: Division 2 of the Beverly Hills Courthouse 9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Presiding Judge Marsha N. Revel Despite the City of Beverly Hills not moving in the direction of banning feeding, the City Attorney and Judge Revel insist Mrs. Varjian goes back to court. She could still face jail time. This shows what stray and feral cat feeders go through. They give up their time, money and safety to feed these homeless kitties and sometimes..... this is what they get. PLEASE come and support her. Its vital the Judge and City Attorney see YOU ther. Bring others. When judges see support for defendants, it makes all the difference in the world. We all have to be there for Mrs. Varjian AND the cats of Beverly Hills and beyond. NEXT BEVERLY HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON THE 'ORDINANCE' Date: August 18, 2009 (Continued from August 4th) Time: 7:00 p.m. Where: 455 N. Rexford Drive Council Chambers Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Free public parking at Beverly Hills Library parking lot