11:15am | Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been vexed by a trilogy of animal news topics. As usual, we see the human factor—both what has contributed to these situations and what can be done to alleviate them—as the common denominator. Hope we hear your side as well.
Pet Adoption Ads
On the morning of Feb. 11, we shook out the Press-Telegram and found out that the Westminster Dog Show powers that be decided that there would be no more tear-jerking pet-food-sponsored ads for shelter pets at their events—their drop in the adoption tin cup—but instead, allegedly adopted cats and dogs would be frolicking with their new human pals. According to the story, Westminster spokesperson David Frei said that folks would get sad seeing all the mournful little animals peering through the bars of the cages and would want to change the channel. Pedigree pet foods, which has an eleemosynary branch formed to help shelter pets, was relieved of its sponsorship position and was replaced by Nestle Purina PetCare.
Well, wouldn’t it be peachy if we could just press the mute button on life when we’re faced with anything sad—say, orphaned children or a bloody traffic accident? Maybe ads for helping starving children in impoverished countries could have the kids happily dribbling basketballs, their little distended stomachs jutting out as they shoot for a hoop? What’s Westminster’s point anyway? Are they afraid that a viewer might feel terrible for a mistreated animal about to be euthanized and take home one for whom the word papers applies only to house training? Nestle Purina makes some fine products, but we’re opting for Pedigree when we donate pet food to a rescue.
Carson Coyotes
Sharing the P-T’s front page was a headline that read that the city of Carson is now planning to trap and kill coyotes, using some really nasty traps. According to the article, coyotes have been spotted enjoying the amenities of the Carson Harbor Village mobile home park, and a couple of family pets have reportedly gone missing. The article described some differences of opinion among the residents and the owner of the park; some residents feared for their pets and their children, but the park owner said he’s received few complaints and hadn’t seen pictures of any coyotes lurking nearby. Animal activists and residents of other communities clamored for nonlethal methods and education of humans such as those we described in a previous article and on the Urban Wildlife pages of the Long Beach Animal Care Services website (click here and here).
One of the things that got to us was the snare traps they plan to use. Snare traps use cinch wires to strangle the animals, and if that doesn’t bother the complainers, the devices could easily throttle a pet or a child and could be as much of a danger to them as the coyotes are perceived to be.
Then, there was this, attributed to the president of the park’s homeowner’s association: “…Residents in [the] park do not want to alter their behavior to dissuade coyotes from coming around.” Ergo, killing the beasts was considered the “safest way” to get rid of them.
Well, Lord, love a duck, and keep it indoors. Why do cats disappear? What do people expect to happen when they leave pet food outside and garbage cans uncovered (which is icky in itself)? Coyotes are looking for food for themselves and their newborns, and they’re going to look where the pickin’s are good. What can you do? Relocating is out of the question, which is too bad; the explanation that Fish and Game gave us is that introducing coyotes to another habitat could lead to the spread of disease (here’s where they worry about coyotes), and there would be greater replacement breeding in the area from which the coyotes are taken.
No coyotes have been trapped yet; according to Zarah Cruz, Carson’s public information officer; the situation is being assessed to see if the trapping will be necessary. As a point of information, however, directed at anyone who’s for trapping and killing, it should be noted that coyotes formerly lived exclusively in the wild, and they’re now firmly established as urban wildlife. And they’re hungry, and they’re smart. They’re hungry because humans have forced their living space into virtual extinction. They’re smart, and they don’t want to go the way of their land. At the risk of sounding sappy, an effort at coexistence instead of take it all and kill whatever’s left might pave a small way in keeping the human species from extinction as well.
Fight the Hayden Law Repeal
Even if you have firmly rendered your cat or dog a prisoner of love, there’s always the chance of him or her getting lost or stolen, or winding up in a shelter. Microchipping your pet is the best way for a shelter to track your pet, but if the shelter’s understaffed or if you haven’t taken the time, you want to know that your pet’s survival has the best guarantee possible.
The Hayden Law, sponsored by Sen. Tom Hayden, was voted into legislation in 1998. The bill’s purpose is to reduce the killing of shelter animals by increasing shelter holding periods from only 72 hours to four to six business days so that the pet can either be reunited more efficiently with its caregivers. The bill also allows rescue groups to take the shelter animals who are scheduled to be euthanized and find them homes.
The state budget’s been tough on everyone, and that includes domestic animals. Gov. Brown has proposed a repeal of the Hayden Law, and this would permanently turn back the clock to 72 hours for pets. The repeal will also eliminate other perks to the animals through a domino effect unless the city or county budget can make up the difference, and that doesn’t look too promising for a number of shelters.
According to the Social Compassion in Legislation website, the use of the tools for reuniting pets with their owners will be greatly compromised. Furthermore, the eleventh-hour rescue element will be reduced to seventh or eighth, and this will further frazzle the responsible rescue volunteers who are already batting around more red tape than the family cat.
“This sends us back 91 years,” said SCIL President Judie Mancuso, referring to a law passed 91 years ago that effected the 72-hour euthanizing deadline. “So, if the Hayden Law is repealed, we will not have evolved on this issue for close to a century.”
Mancuso also said that the repeal attempt also calls for eliminating the requirement for shelters to provide necessary and prompt veterinary care. The shelters would also be allowed to legally euthanize rabbits, reptiles and cats deemed feral upon impoundment. (For a synopsis of the law and the effects of a permanent repeal, click here.)
At the Feb. 14 Long Beach City Council meeting, all nine council members gave our shelter animals a valentine by voting unanimously to oppose any cuts, repeal or reduction of the Hayden Law provisions. The resolution is in the drafting process; when it’s ready, it will be put on the council agenda for approval. Furthermore, our shelter pets don’t have as much to fear as do other shelters that don’t have a proactive animal-loving community behind them. Ted Stevens, ACS’s acting manager, assures us that “since the [temporary] suspension of the Hayden Bill in 2009, Long Beach Animal Care Services has maintained its minimum hold times at six days, 14 days for animals with a license or microchip, and it is our intention to continue to work to maintain this level of service to the community.”
To support all animals not as fortunate as Long Beach’s, call your legislator. Visit the SCIL Action Alert page for phone numbers and instructions. Combine this with the proactive element of spay/neuter and microchipping, and we all win.
Virtually Pets
On Sunday, February 12, Animal Care Services was decked with valentines from folks who wanted to share their love for the animals, all sponsored by Haute Dogs. All of the pets pictured below surely appreciated the sentiment and hope that it will inspire people to give them the ultimate gift of a forever home.
Sweet dreams are made of Chis. And the guy in the back.
Kitties would look so good curled up in your chair.
While admiring the Valentines, we happened to run into Teddy. Teddy’s a 3-year-old male neutered Norfolk terrier with the most adorable pigeon toes you could imagine. Interested? His kennel number is A456700.
More Pets
George
When you hear Roy Orbison going “Mrowwwwrrr” in “Pretty Woman,” someone who looks like George pops into our minds. He ain’t too shabby himself. George is a 3-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair, and our rescue friend Denise is helping to feature him at the Orange County Shelter, 561 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868. His cage number is A1152036. He belongs in this county. Click here for information.
Polytoes
We seem to be heavy on silly feet for this go-around. We don’t know this fellow’s name, but he’s 10 years old and neutered. He’s a polydactyl, which means that he has a couple of extra toes on each foot. His human needs to find him a home soon, as she can no longer keep him. E-mail [email protected] if you can give a thumbs-up on adopting him.
Lab Mix
This beauty was found on Skid Row in L.A. by one of our local volunteers. She’s about 3 years old and very friendly. Contact [email protected] for spay information if you would like to add her to your household.
Leila
Leila needs a permanent home or even a foster home. She gets along great with children and adults; the current owner has a small child whom Leila loves. She also likes to play catch. She’s very lovable and friendly, but terribly timid and easily frightened. The original owner couldn’t keep her because his older dog would attack her. She moved to a home with a small dog who attacked her as well. She’s frightened of small dogs and needs (and deserves) a home with no other pets. The person taking care of her now will have to take her to a shelter if she isn’t adopted. Leila’s 2 ½ years old; if you’ve always wanted a noble shepherd dog, contact [email protected].
Pet Projects
Please Help Find Lloyd
Lloyd has been missing since the end of December. His human, a friend of ours, has not given up hope. He was last seen in the area of Spring Street and Claremore Avenue near El Dorado Park. He possibly headed back to his old neighborhood in the area of 4th (or Colorado Street and Ximeno Avenue. He has a very distinctive appearance with a fluffy tuxedo coat, long white hairs coming out from his ears, white feet and a white tip at the end of his tail. He had a reflective collar with a bell on it. He’s a little shy of people he doesn’t know. If you have seen him at all or have any information as to where he might be, please call (562) 822-5454. He is a much-loved member of the family, and we miss him terribly!
March Madness, Long Beach Animal Care Services and spcaLA, Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, Saturday, March 3, all day
You think that department stores have good sales? SpcaLA’s P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Education Center and Long Beach Animal Care Services are teaming up for a great one: the March Madness cats and kittens adoption event! Featured are two feline adoption specials: Adopt a team of two with Double Dribble—two—that’s two—cats or kittens for $105! Or adopt an all-star with Ready for the Big Leagues, which offers $25 off the adoption rate of cats one year older. Really—two are better than one when it comes to cats!
Friends of Long Beach Animals Benefit for the Animals, Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E Anaheim St., Long Beach, Sunday, March 11, 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Join Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA) for an entertaining, tasteful and tasty evening. Our 18th annual Benefit for the Animals at the Long Beach Playhouse begins with a reception featuring a delicious selection of finger food provided by Pamlin Catering and music by our favorite pianist, Ralph Brunson. You will have time to socialize with fellow animal lovers and browse and bid on silent auction items. Raffle tickets will also be on sale.
At 7:30, Peggy Nichols, our Hero to Animals 2012, will be introduced, and you will then enjoy a performance of Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure. In this spirited and fast-moving adaptation of the original 1899 play, Holmes is surrounded by all the elements that fans of his exploits have come to expect: anger, intrigue, wit, humor and surprise.
Tickets are $25 and are available at the following locations:
- Belmont Pets and LaunderPet, 3429 E. Broadway 433-3605
- Bixby Animal Clinic, 3938 Atlantic Avenue 426-4066
- Bixby Knolls LaunderPet, 4102 Orange Avenue, #113 427-2551
- Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital, 2665 Coast Highway 494-0975
- Chuck & Toby, (Wiskers) 191 Park Ave, Belmont Shore 434-8085
- Go Dogs Go, 3440 N. Los Coyotes Diagonal 421-9797
- Wags to Whiskers, 5505 Stearns St. 430-5161
For further information or to purchase tickets, contact [email protected] or call (562) 988-SNIP (7647).