{"id":5268,"date":"2011-02-01T09:24:00","date_gmt":"2011-02-01T09:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/pets\/animal-care-services-living-up-to-its-name\/"},"modified":"2011-02-01T09:24:00","modified_gmt":"2011-02-01T09:24:00","slug":"animal-care-services-living-up-to-its-name","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/pets\/animal-care-services-living-up-to-its-name","title":{"rendered":"Animal Care Services: Living Up To Its Name"},"content":{"rendered":"

9:06am |<\/strong> Despite the constellation of the achievements of the animal-advocacy community, it was still the dog\u2014and the cat, and every other animal helped by the shelter, including two marmosets rescued by ACS\u2019s operations chief Michelle Quigley from an illegal and inhumane situation and transported to a licensed exotic animal\/wildlife rehab facility\u2014who was the star at the Jan. 22 Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS<\/a>) Open House.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere will be no barriers to care,\u201d said Long Beach Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal in her sentiment-filled address at the event.<\/p>\n

Lowenthal spoke about the positive spirit that now prevails in the humane treatment of animals. She cited a steady drop in animal euthanasia and the implementation of the low-cost veterinary clinic program<\/a> in which mobile units set up in parks and other locations around the city to offer vaccinations, licensing and microchips.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd our cats are just as valuable as our dogs,\u201d Lowenthal said\u2014no news to a number of us. \u201cWe\u2019ve had 2,000 cats licensed so far this year. You couldn\u2019t even talk about cat licensing a few years ago without the swords coming out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course, Lowenthal meant claws, but licensing of cats has been a bone\u2014heh heh\u2014of contention between cat and dog owners. Cat licensing legislation, co-authored by Lowenthal, was put into effect last year because as many, if not more, cats are serviced by ACS. The licensing program has already resulted in the return of lost cats to their humans, and the revenue goes back to the underfunded shelter to pay for care of and services to animals.<\/p>\n

The shelter operates with surprising efficiency, less impact on the general fund (at $3.61 per person) and a lot of heart. Impounds have been at a steady decrease until last year, when more people turned in and abandoned their pets for economic reasons. However, adoptions and owner returns have increased, mainly because of the licensing program and public education and awareness.<\/p>\n

The bad news, Keisler said, is that most of the euthanized animals are unweaned kittens, mainly because of the number of free-roaming unaltered cats and because cats are more prolific than dogs. It is, in fact, illegal to own an unaltered cat in Long Beach. Spaying and neutering of animals, particularly cats, is a factor in bringing down the overpopulation and thereby the euthanasia numbers at the shelter.<\/p>\n

Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA<\/a>) and Justin Rudd\u2019s Haute Dogs<\/a> animal-centered organization are active partners in reducing pet overpopulation. Long Beach Spay and Neuter Foundation focuses on trap\/spay-neuter\/release of feral cats in order to bring numbers down as well. Rudd\u2019s organization contributes $16,000 a year to the Haute Dogs Spay and Neuter program<\/a>, funded by his community efforts. FOLBA offers vouchers for low-cost spay-neuter, which are available at ACS.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe gave about $30,000 for spay\/neuter last year and over $750,000 in the past 10 years,\u201d said FOLBA President John Gonzales. Gonzales said that this year\u2019s FOLBA Walk for the Animals is partnering with LB Parks and Rec and will hold the event in El Dorado Park\u2014just a few paw prints away from ACS and its adoption row.<\/p>\n

The One Too Many Award, which honors individuals whose good works go toward reducing animal overpopulation through spay\/neuter and other humane services, was given to Quigley, AMRT\u2019s Louise Montgomery and the Pet Post\u2019s very own Judy Crumpton. Quigley came up with the idea for the award after one too many stressful days at the shelter.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt came full circle at home,\u201d Quigley said. \u201cI was despondent about one too many euthanasias, one too many litters, one too many cases of animal cruelty. What can we do to help?\u201d<\/p>\n

She brought her ideas, which involved community outreach and partnership, to Keisler, who enthusiastically began to implement them. Quigley, who is leaving ACS for a new director position at the San Diego Humane Society, unsuccessfully suppressed a few tears when she accepted her award from Keisler.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t have the experience to move the shelter forward,\u201d Keisler said. \u201cShe did. I want to tell you all how proud of her we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crumpton\u2019s award came from the many humane efforts she\u2019s accomplished in partnership with ACS. She and Deborah Turner, Wheely Willy\u2019s proud mom, are embarking on a humane education project. Montgomery\u2019s award was presented from her AMRT adoption organization, which takes shelter overflow canines and presents them for adoption.<\/p>\n

\u201cLouise is a dynamo,\u201d Keisler said. \u201cShe\u2019s good at marketing our pets and does whatever\u2019s possible to make my job easier.\u201d<\/p>\n

It takes the right combination of community partnership, funding, organizing, action and heart to turn Animal Control into Animal Care Services. It\u2019s obvious to anyone who\u2019s been involved with ACS in any way that the office is Care in more than name. But there\u2019s still a long way to go.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a one-year wonder or a snapping of fingers,\u201d Lowenthal said. \u201cThere\u2019s so much that still needs to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"
From left: Suja Lowenthal, Judy Crumpton holding One Too Many award, and John Keisler<\/em>

My Friend, Judy Crumpton<\/strong>
By Kate Karp<\/p>\n

Judy has no idea that I\u2019m doing this\u2014she\u2019s modest and humble about all of her advocacy efforts and achievements. This pairs, as it always seems to do, with a big heart. I wanted to add my own words to honor her and to tell her and everyone else how proud I am to write a column with her.<\/p>\n

In 2008, then-co-owner of the Long Beach Post<\/em> contacted me and asked if I\u2019d be interested in writing a pet column. I initially demurred because, although I love pets and try to be as active as I can in animal advocacy, I know next to nothing about organizations, policy and everything else that goes into it. I sent out a batch e-mail to people I know who are knowledgeable, and Judy e-mailed back immediately, not just in agreement but with what I can only describe as \u00fcberenthusiasm: \u201cYes! Yes! I\u2019ve wanted to do this forever! Yes! When do we begin?\u201d<\/p>\n

Suja Lowenthal pretty much epitomized Judy in an account of their first meeting. \u201cTwo days after my election, Judy came to me and spoke passionately about animals,\u201d she said during the award presentation. \u201cShe gave me a little breathing space to answer\u2014and it was a gift to wrap my arms around something I was passionate about.\u201d Whatever Judy has is contagious\u2014Lowenthal now is one of Long Beach\u2019s most active animal advocates.<\/p>\n

When I talk about Judy, I frequently say, \u201cShe knows where all the bones are buried,\u201d and \u201cYeah, I can string words together, but she has the heart, the passion, the energy and the selflessness.\u201d She richly deserves her award, and I could not write this column without her, ever.<\/p>\n

\"\"
From left: Ron Arias, Michelle Quigley, ACS staff member, John Gonzales
<\/em>
Michelle Quigley: \u2018Leaving Us as a Leader\u2019<\/strong>
Michelle Quigley is a veteran of many battles. She\u2019s come out a winner, but not without scars. Michelle is a former Marine who came to work for ACS in September 1995, when it was still Long Beach Animal Control. She has a long history as an animal advocate, starting as a volunteer at an upstate New York animal shelter at age 9, working with her Aunt Susie.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always knew I would someday work with animals, and I also wanted to get into law enforcement,\u201d Michelle said. \u201cWhen I discovered the profession of animal control officer, I realized it would be the best of both worlds.\u201d<\/p>\n

It has been, and it hasn\u2019t been. Michelle has had the satisfaction of witnessing and participating in animal rescue, healing and adoption. She\u2019s also fought battles that tested her morale to the limits, the toughest being the 2006 Noah\u2019s Ark case in which 299 animals in deplorable condition were taken from a shelter. The case left Michelle stung and nearly defeated but, as John Keisler said, quoting Gen. Douglas MacArthur, she \u201cstood up to the storm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keisler, the new kid\u2014literally, in his late twenties\u2014came on the block as head of Animal Control in 2008 after an investigation of a dog\u2019s mishandling in 2008, which led to searing media scrutiny and, ultimately, the shelter restructure.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t get together under the best circumstances,\u201d said John Keisler, who said that he came in expecting to organize the shelter and instead found himself, led by Quigley, witnessing a euthanasia so that he could see the reality behind the paperwork and statistics. \u201cWe were in crisis, and Michelle took charge. She\u2019s taught me discipline, persistence, and how commitment and faith can be rewarded. During the past few years, we\u2019ve had an incredible transformation. That\u2019s why she\u2019s leading us today.\u201d<\/p>\n

At a recent farewell party for her, Health and Human Services director Ron Arias said that Michelle is the ballast that kept ACS grounded.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s leaving us as a leader,\u201d Arias said. \u201cWe\u2019ll remember her for her compassion, empathy, professionalism, and her ongoing integrity and care.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a few words, that defines Michelle Quigley.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

My goal in life is to be a person as good as my dog already thinks I am.<\/em>
~Source unknown<\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The ladies of Pet Post review what’s new in the world of local animal care, including the departure of a leader and an award for one of our own.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":70074,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","inline_featured_image":false,"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":"","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_":"","_author_alias":"","cap-aim":"","cap-description":"","cap-display_name":"","cap-first_name":"","cap-jabber":"","cap-last_name":"","cap-linked_account":"","cap-newspack_employer":"","cap-newspack_job_title":"","cap-newspack_phone_number":"","cap-newspack_role":"","cap-user_email":"","cap-user_login":"","cap-website":"","cap-yahooim":"","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_email_html":"","newspack_email_type":"","newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_hide_page_title":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_show_share_buttons":"","newspack_sponsor_byline_prefix":"","newspack_sponsor_disclaimer_override":"","newspack_sponsor_flag_override":"","newspack_sponsor_only_direct":"","newspack_sponsor_url":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_show_updated_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-5268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pets","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5268"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5268\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/70074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5268"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=5268"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=5268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}