Dano
02-12-2005, 11:27 AM
LA Times Editorial - Just Kill The Dogs
In retrospect, it's really not difficult to understand huge nonprofit's like the ASPCA and HSUS supporting the concept of temperament testing as a means of selecting out for "humane euthanasia" MILLIONS of dogs who given the time and resources very well should and could have made someone a great family pet. After all, rescue, saving and rehoming pets cuts into the funding that could go towards other more important functions such as huge salaries paid out and of course, MORE fundraising.
Here's an interesting take on why were at the crossroads in many community's towards developing a REAL humane policy towards our community's homeless pets.
<http://www.21stcenturycares.org/justkill.htm>
JUST KILL THE DOGS
Throughout every city and state across the country, those who demonstrate
volunteerism and good citizenship are highly valued. By supplementing what would otherwise be the full responsibility of local governments, these
individuals fill the gaps left by skeleton staff. They withstand undue
pressure to do the impossible, and are threatened by downsizing and insufficient funds needed to maintain quality services or even properly execute mandate.
The kill rate in most counties across the nation is embarrassingly high and
is one of the worst examples we continue to set for our future generations
to come. These agencies, along with the county and municipal governing bodies, could and should view these volunteers and rescues as 'assistants' who help out for no pay or compensation whatsoever.
Instead, when a good citizen steps forward to save the lives of hundreds or even thousands of companion animals, including dogs and cats who would otherwise become staggering statistics, he/she is met with incredible and very encumbering fees, regulations and rules, legal threats and more.
This, while over 8 million adoptable pets are to be killed each year in this country, and backyard breeders choose to have a recreational litter of kittens or puppies with almost no regulation, guidance or structure
at all. Yet, they are the people who are clearly the contributing factor in
this problem. Again we see the "without victims" theory coming into play; in
this case, animal control agencies would loose many jobs. This is mainly due to a seriously inadequate understanding by Americans as to the results of their actions.
As an animal welfare supporter and educator, it hurts me to see us wasting
billions of dollars on all the unnecessary deaths to companion animals in this country. It is so very easy to stop - NOW! But, though we are viewed as 'radical ' and called fanatics, we are quickly dismissed by society as they continue to ignore all the proof, and continue to have another few litters of puppies or kittens. Because, heaven forbid, they should be 'associated' with the animal movement. So, it's better in their eyes to have that litter as proof.
This is the fault of everyone. We, inside the animal welfare movement, have spent almost all of our time, money and resources on today's animals, which stem from yesterdays problems, and have not given tomorrow's animals and the prevention of their increasing numbers any thought to speak of. Most importantly we have not been able to present this information in a way so that the average citizen understands the message that is supported by proof, more proof and deadly results.
We can cure diseases, put a man on the moon and win wars in 100 days or less, so why are we still unable to convey these simple messages?
Animal control agencies that have a highly questionable record of humane
performance and fail to 'market' their commodity as a normal business would, allow this to continue with no thought of any tomorrows. Poor business hours for adoptions and retrievals of lost pets, fall short in reminding their public of the pets who are adoptable on a widespread, regular basis, frequently unwilling to require mandatory spay neuter to any pet going out the door. Most of the problems stem from a lack of understanding within the community of the restrictions and requirements placed on the underpaid, overworked and under educated animal control staff. It becomes a vicious circle. So, everyone else is simply sharing in the fault.
We all seem to have blinders on.
But, it's all becoming much more clear recently. The 'lip service' we hear
from everyone else is a cover up for their ignorance and refusal to be
responsible caring citizens.
Law enforcement agencies, large numbers of elected officials and a surprising majority of our citizens have no respect for the lives of these innocent animals or these things would clearly have been looked into and dealt with accordingly. This also means they refuse to properly acknowledge the proven impact that conditions and actions have on the future generations of children who fall victim to having parents with little or no patience for the obvious. And the subsequent results are allowed to contaminate our future generations with the same disrespect as many other like situations that were quickly outlawed and strongly governed.
We need to be smart. We need to change the way we view and teach the world in a very different way. Not similar to what we've done for 60 years, but
differently - a way that works. We need to prove to the legislators at all
levels that even though animals don't vote or contribute to campaign re-elections, WE DO! And we should do it volume. Ask each and every person running for office about their views and plans for improvements, and hold them to it.
So, when:
- our congressmen and women, senators and assemblymen drag their feet
and vote “no” on important animal legislation,
- law enforcement continue to claim a lack of time and resources is their justification for not making appropriate arrests,
- the judges are refusing to uphold current laws by offering lighter sentencing and dismissing charges completely and
- the local governing bodies are giving themselves up to 35% pay increases annually
- all this, while cutting the animal control budgets, they are sending a message that America hears.
Until further notice, the general public and lawmakers are sending a strong
message, and it is coming through loud and clear " JUST KILL THE DOGS!!
************************************************** **************************************
Of course, it all starts to make more sense (or dollars and cents) when we start to take a hard look at where OUR donations go when WE give to the mega-giant humane organizations as opposed to simply investing our donations LOCALLY into supporting our shelter and rescue organizations.
<http://www.21stcenturycares.org/natexp.htm>
In retrospect, it's really not difficult to understand huge nonprofit's like the ASPCA and HSUS supporting the concept of temperament testing as a means of selecting out for "humane euthanasia" MILLIONS of dogs who given the time and resources very well should and could have made someone a great family pet. After all, rescue, saving and rehoming pets cuts into the funding that could go towards other more important functions such as huge salaries paid out and of course, MORE fundraising.
Here's an interesting take on why were at the crossroads in many community's towards developing a REAL humane policy towards our community's homeless pets.
<http://www.21stcenturycares.org/justkill.htm>
JUST KILL THE DOGS
Throughout every city and state across the country, those who demonstrate
volunteerism and good citizenship are highly valued. By supplementing what would otherwise be the full responsibility of local governments, these
individuals fill the gaps left by skeleton staff. They withstand undue
pressure to do the impossible, and are threatened by downsizing and insufficient funds needed to maintain quality services or even properly execute mandate.
The kill rate in most counties across the nation is embarrassingly high and
is one of the worst examples we continue to set for our future generations
to come. These agencies, along with the county and municipal governing bodies, could and should view these volunteers and rescues as 'assistants' who help out for no pay or compensation whatsoever.
Instead, when a good citizen steps forward to save the lives of hundreds or even thousands of companion animals, including dogs and cats who would otherwise become staggering statistics, he/she is met with incredible and very encumbering fees, regulations and rules, legal threats and more.
This, while over 8 million adoptable pets are to be killed each year in this country, and backyard breeders choose to have a recreational litter of kittens or puppies with almost no regulation, guidance or structure
at all. Yet, they are the people who are clearly the contributing factor in
this problem. Again we see the "without victims" theory coming into play; in
this case, animal control agencies would loose many jobs. This is mainly due to a seriously inadequate understanding by Americans as to the results of their actions.
As an animal welfare supporter and educator, it hurts me to see us wasting
billions of dollars on all the unnecessary deaths to companion animals in this country. It is so very easy to stop - NOW! But, though we are viewed as 'radical ' and called fanatics, we are quickly dismissed by society as they continue to ignore all the proof, and continue to have another few litters of puppies or kittens. Because, heaven forbid, they should be 'associated' with the animal movement. So, it's better in their eyes to have that litter as proof.
This is the fault of everyone. We, inside the animal welfare movement, have spent almost all of our time, money and resources on today's animals, which stem from yesterdays problems, and have not given tomorrow's animals and the prevention of their increasing numbers any thought to speak of. Most importantly we have not been able to present this information in a way so that the average citizen understands the message that is supported by proof, more proof and deadly results.
We can cure diseases, put a man on the moon and win wars in 100 days or less, so why are we still unable to convey these simple messages?
Animal control agencies that have a highly questionable record of humane
performance and fail to 'market' their commodity as a normal business would, allow this to continue with no thought of any tomorrows. Poor business hours for adoptions and retrievals of lost pets, fall short in reminding their public of the pets who are adoptable on a widespread, regular basis, frequently unwilling to require mandatory spay neuter to any pet going out the door. Most of the problems stem from a lack of understanding within the community of the restrictions and requirements placed on the underpaid, overworked and under educated animal control staff. It becomes a vicious circle. So, everyone else is simply sharing in the fault.
We all seem to have blinders on.
But, it's all becoming much more clear recently. The 'lip service' we hear
from everyone else is a cover up for their ignorance and refusal to be
responsible caring citizens.
Law enforcement agencies, large numbers of elected officials and a surprising majority of our citizens have no respect for the lives of these innocent animals or these things would clearly have been looked into and dealt with accordingly. This also means they refuse to properly acknowledge the proven impact that conditions and actions have on the future generations of children who fall victim to having parents with little or no patience for the obvious. And the subsequent results are allowed to contaminate our future generations with the same disrespect as many other like situations that were quickly outlawed and strongly governed.
We need to be smart. We need to change the way we view and teach the world in a very different way. Not similar to what we've done for 60 years, but
differently - a way that works. We need to prove to the legislators at all
levels that even though animals don't vote or contribute to campaign re-elections, WE DO! And we should do it volume. Ask each and every person running for office about their views and plans for improvements, and hold them to it.
So, when:
- our congressmen and women, senators and assemblymen drag their feet
and vote “no” on important animal legislation,
- law enforcement continue to claim a lack of time and resources is their justification for not making appropriate arrests,
- the judges are refusing to uphold current laws by offering lighter sentencing and dismissing charges completely and
- the local governing bodies are giving themselves up to 35% pay increases annually
- all this, while cutting the animal control budgets, they are sending a message that America hears.
Until further notice, the general public and lawmakers are sending a strong
message, and it is coming through loud and clear " JUST KILL THE DOGS!!
************************************************** **************************************
Of course, it all starts to make more sense (or dollars and cents) when we start to take a hard look at where OUR donations go when WE give to the mega-giant humane organizations as opposed to simply investing our donations LOCALLY into supporting our shelter and rescue organizations.
<http://www.21stcenturycares.org/natexp.htm>