Tompkins SPCA - No Kill - No More

"If we hope to live not just from moment to moment, but in true consciousness of our existence, our greatest need and most difficult achievement is to find meaning in our lives." Bruno Bettelheim

The implications of this line of reasoning is clear; only when you get people talking about all the issues in non confrontational discussions will they come to believe in not only your vision but more importantly respect your role as a leader ultimately defining the purpose, path and goal of the movement.

 

 

In an article in the Syracuse Post Standard it is reported that Ithaca New York fell short of maintaining it's "No Kill" status for dogs. Tompkins County Animal Control, a division of the local SPCA has been awarded the county animal control contract for years and has been the focal point for Nathan Winograd's No Kill Advocacy Center as the premier and first "open admission" shelter to attain a 90 percent live save rate using the No Kill Equation.

According to the article, Ithaca, which includes Tompkins County (population 101,564) picked up 534 dogs from Ithaca and six nearby towns. Of those, 75 or 14 percent were killed. These numbers are close to the numbers reported in Albany (population 97,856) where animal control picked up 323 dogs in 2012 and delivered them to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society where 57 or 18 percent were killed.

Larger cities in upstate New York reported higher kill numbers. In comparison, Buffalo (population 261,310) had Animal Control intake numbers of 1,850 dogs picked up in 2011 of which 676 or 18 percent were killed. Rochester (population 210,310) animal control reported 3,093 dogs in 2012 went though the city animal shelter of which 1,544 or 59% were killed and Syracuse (population 145,710) delivered 910 dogs to a private contractor of which 573 or 63 percent were killed.

Not only has Tompkins slipped out of the prestigious "no kill" club but has also reported that due to constant overcrowding at its shelter intake was limited on owner surrenders by appointment only and only if the shelter has space available. In other words, Tompkins SPCA was and is a "limited admission" kill since 2011.

Dog lovers and advocates locally point the blame on the urban puppy mills and animal cruelty that are driving pet abandonment issues. At a hastily called meeting seeking solutions to that regions pet overpopulation issues close to forty residents came to a Common Council committee meeting looking for alternatives.

Rather than focusing solely on a "No Kill Equation" as a solution local animal advocate Joan Antczak, a member of the Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse, complained that "our animal welfare system is broken". 

Much of the blame for local shelter problems focused on dog fighting, unethical and unlicensed backyard breeding and the many puppy mills that dot the landscape.

Citizens urged city leaders to ramp up efforts to stifle those activities. Among the suggestions:

-- Increase the police department’s newly created position of animal cruelty investigator to full-time from half-time. Officer Rebecca Thompson, who spends half her week on animal cruelty complaints, said after the meeting she is "completely overwhelmed’’ by the number of cases.

-- Clamp down on backyard breeding, requiring licenses for breeders.

-- Increase penalties for dog fighting and go after participants more aggressively.

-- Support education programs in the humane treatment of animals. Subsidize low-cost spaying and neutering programs.

Upstate New York suffers from the same social evils as many communities that kill our pets.

Roughly two out of every three dogs picked up were pit bulls or pit bull mixes. An even higher percentage of the dogs put to death -- three out of every four -- were pit bulls. Many had scars, abscesses or other wounds that indicate they were mistreated or used for fighting. This is NOT rocket science.

You can't simply ignore the warning signs of an irresponsible breeding problem (especially with pit bulls being bred for a dog fighting clientele) and evidence of dog fighting rings to focus on adopting your way out of killing.

According to Nicole Heath, co-founder of Cuse Pit Crew, a nonprofit group aimed at preventing the abuse of pit bulls and promoting humane treatment, backyard breeding and dog fighting are "cottage industries’’ in the Syracuse area. "Few people in the city except those who have seen the shredded bait dogs and scarred survivors of dog fighting . . . understand the depth of cruelty and violence toward both dogs and cats in this city,’’ Heath said.

Many of these same irresponsible breeders will sell puppies as young as 2 weeks old, far too young to be removed from the litter. Puppies too submissive to fight are sometimes used as "bait dogs’’ to encourage aggression in others. Pit bulls who can not be trained as "fighters" turn out to be very poor candidates for family pets and typically end up in our local shelters before reaching two years of age.

This heartbreaking scenario is repeated over and over again in shelters across the country as shelter and rescue advocates struggle to keep up. There is simply not a safe number of homes available for all the pit bulls being bred to supply a market of dog fighters who demonstrate no conscience whatsoever for the dogs who suffer and die simply to fuel a demented desire to watch dogs fight to the death

One would think that with the entire vision struggling along at a snails pace self proclaimed leaders of the "No Kill" movement would welcome solutions from the animal protection community that worked towards putting an end to a dog fighting and puppy mill community as we know it.

Common sense dictates that and denigrating the very animal protection organizations that focus on ending that abuse doesn't bring you to that solution.

As an animal owner, rescue advocate, puppy mill reform advocate and shelter reform advocate focusing solely on implementing a "no kill equation" that focuses on adopting our way out of killing is not sustainable and is simply far too costly for a vast majority of communities to implement.

A far more prudent, and sustainable solution can be found by focusing on lowering the very high intake numbers driving the pet overpopulation issues that lead to shelter killing. Simple math tells us that it is less costly saving less than it ever will be saving more.

Improving the survival numbers of impounded shelter pets is a complicated issue. It simply can not be solved by focusing on the adoption part of the equation while ignoring the obvious intake side of the equation steering the boat. Solutions require a coordinated effort between a shelter, volunteers, local rescue groups and the political factions working together towards a common solution.

Until the no kill movement comes to grips with the "mathematical realities" of shelter killing and more importantly the mathematical realities of funding a shelter reform solution that puts an end to the killing of adoptable pets we will continue to stumble along "adding a few no kill" communities here while losing a few more once "no kill" shelters there that slip back to using a little blue juice and a needle instead.

Without efforts and regulations that weed lout irresponsible owners and breeders it is only a matter of time before "no kill" efforts sink. Communities can't simply look the other way ignoring abusive owners and irresponsible breeders without a soul. Efforts to reduce the suffering are not only politically correct but these solutions become the only humane solution. Its all simple math and common sense. Two areas that seem to continue to allude the leaders of the failed no kill movement. Even no kills prize ship in Tompkins has sunk as you can't simply bale the lake with a teaspoon and expect to still float.

The no kill movement hasn't stalled and failed because the vision of building a no kill nation, it has failed because it lacks intelligent leadership with the skills needed to bring about the partnerships needed for success. The major leadership tasks, and the litany of success includes, amplifying understanding, building awareness, changing the symbols of success, legitimizing new viewpoints, making tactical shifts and testing partial solutions, broadening political support, overcoming opposition, inducing and structuring flexibility towards solutions, launching new trial programs and engaging in systematic waiting while measuring for success, creating the pockets of commitment, crystallizing focus, managing coalitions, and formalizing community commitment.

The role of leadership needed to attain the movement's "difficult achievement", then, is the role of orchestrator and labeler taking can be gotten in the way of progressive action and shaping it - generally after the fact - into lasting commitment to a new strategic goal. true leadership doesn't obsess with placing blame on the past but focuses on directed the oversight needed to maintain and build on the gains in strategy attained.

Poorer leadership, like the leadership that defines the current no kill movement, has strong cultures too, but dysfunctional ones. These leaders are typically focused on internal shelter politics and failures rather than on problem solving. These leaders, like Nathan Winograd and in some respects followers like No Kill Nation's Debi Day, cause more problems with an antagonistic approach at communicating their vision with rigid control that stifles the vision. Leaders that focus only on "the numbers" rather than the solutions set a path towards failure not success.

Even if the numbers goal is reached since practical solutions have been ignored this success becomes costly and is not sustainable. Hence, shelters like Tompkins that experienced the short term high of success are constantly positioned to fail.

Leadership is many things. It is patient, even boring in coalition building. It is altering agendas so that even new priorities get enough public attention. It is visible when things go awry and invisible when things are working well. It is building loyal teams that reach consensus with one voice. It is listening carefully most of the time, frequently speaking with encouragement, and reinforcing words with believable actions. It is being tough when necessary, and the occasional use of power = or the "subtle accumulation of nuances of a hundred things done better under their watch".

What isn't leadership but an abuse of power is too lead through angry rhetoric, to launch personal attacks directed at individuals or animal welfare entities seeking superiority when collaboration in a shared battle for reform. Poor leadership is a symptom of the disease - it will never be a solution for our nation's failed shelters. Tompkins failure to maintain proves that.

No Kill's obsession with us and them

Your No Kill Leadership Brain Trust?

As many of our readers are aware Drats has been involved in a contentious civil lawsuit funded by No Kill Nation seeking to silence opposition to the Winograd lead no kill movement.

This court battle is funded by a $250,000 loan from Lincoln Day in November 2011 that was used to provide a $20,000 retainer moving this lawsuit forward. Thus far, based on motions filed by No Kill Nation and estimates procured to defend these motions the estimate on legal fees paid out to Debi Day’s attorney Tripp Scott start at $50,000 and could quite possibly be two or three times that amount.

Attorney’s specializing in defamation cases typically start with five figure retainer fees offset through billings at rates of $500 to $750 an hour. Since defamation cases are typically filed for "emotional" reasons these cases are also difficult to apply any type of cost controls as well. Once you’ve invested in a five-figure retainer it becomes like a drug writing out check after check in order that more motions can be filed.

I chose NOT to hire an attorney to defend either myself or the Miami Dade Rescue Railroad for in doing so I would have had to seek donations to fund a childish legal battle when that money would have done much more good saving lives in MDAS. Of course, running a senior no kill sanctuary as I have for the past eleven years doesn’t give me the same luxury that Debi Day has using the limited funds needed to provide our seniors with vet care.

Obviously, Debi Day disagrees. In her feeble mind her reputation is much more valuable then the lives of shelter animals she is perfectly willing to look the other way on while her home shelter kills them.

Here is a list of blogs that the No Kill Movement is so concerned you NOT be able to read. Many of the blogs are articles in opposition to puppy mills, rescue hoarding and of course the reality of pet overpopulation.

If YOU donate to No Kill Nation’s "nokillfund" you are supporting those who exploit the suffering of puppy mill victims to fuel profitable puppy mill sales.

From Google’s "Blogger Team"

We'd like to inform you that we've received a court order regarding your blog http://squirrelsnnuts.blogspot.com. In accordance with the terms of the court order, we have removed content previously located at:


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http://squirrelsnnuts.blogspot.com/2012/12/nkn-vs-drats-pertinent-facts.html
A copy of the court order we received is attached.

Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,
The Blogger Team

Per the injunction signed by this court only ordered to remove statements from the "88" http://squirrelnuts.blogspot.com blogs that refer to the plaintiffs as "being frauds or scam artists, or that refer, directly or indirectly, to plaintiffs stealing donations or perpetrating charity fraud."

No Kill Nation’s Kathy Santomero appears to be offended not only by "slanderous lies" concerning No Kill Nation’s fundraising practices but by issues like puppy mills, pet overpopulation, Rick Berman and a breeders role as well.

The real unanswered question is what are Kathy Santomero’s quailifications to even sit in a leadership position on an advocacy group like No Kill Nation? Does she bring experience in reforming shelters to the leadership team? Has she ever reformed a public kill shelter before? The answer of course is no, while Santomero has solid experience in fundraising she lacks even the basic background in reform advocacy that would make her effective.

It was also Santomero who assured donors in the Everglades Project that the money donated for that mission would "have every penny" accounted for. She lied about those promises so why should anyone trust her judgment on other shelter reform issues?

One message that resonates from the self appointed "no kill" leadership team is that dissenting opinions are not tolerated by a movement fixated on breeder enabling language including nuances like "pet overpopulation being a myth" and that shelters, not irresponsible breeders or irresponsible pet owners are responsible for shelter killing.

Drats will leave it to no kill nuts like Nathan Winograd and Debi Day to explain why adult advocates are not permitted to read these articles because the articles offer an alternative scenario on puppy mills and pet overpopulation that is disputed by no kill zealots like Nathan Winograd.

Drats, embarked down a path of raising awareness of a no kill movement filled with half-truths and spin. Drats recognizes the significance in being singled out as a threat in exposing the truth behind Winograd’s "breeder enabling" no kill agenda that has quite clearly been a major disappointment to those of us involved in shelter reform for the last decade.

I would encourage all of our adult readers to read through the list of blogs that No Kill Nation has invested probably $100,000 in trying to censor. Do you feel offended that Debi Day would decide what reading material you are mature enough to handle and what material you must be protected from? Are you offended that she wants YOU to donate money funding that censorship?

Many of these blogs discuss the killing of shelter animals and the suffering of animals in puppy mills. How does a group like No Kill Nation claim to be an no kill animal advocacy group yet justify investing in lawsuits that censor these discussions? It is simply irresponsible and disingenuous to use donations to fund a lawsuit while looking the other way while an estimated 30,000 dogs and cats are being killed in shelter located in the communities of No Kill Nation’s Board Members DEBI DAY, KAROLYN RICO and KATHY SANTOMERO.

If you’re a LEADER in the no kill community shouldn’t you serve as an example of reforming YOUR OWN kill shelters first? If YOU can’t fix the killing in YOUR shelter why would WE want your advice on fixing our own shelters? Obviously, No Kill Nation’s Board of Directors is much too focused on attacking those who dare oppose their twisted mentality on advocacy than actually saving lives in their own shelters.

How much good might have happened saving some of these precious lives had only these three No Kill Nation BOARD MEMBERS devoted the same time and money volunteering to post, pull, transport, sponsor or share on social media sites like Facebook the lives of dogs and cats they were ignoring?

It is EASY to TALK a big tale about being an advocacy leader but when your advocacy resume is EMPTY on accomplishments what you really have is nothing but talk.

The No Kill zealots will continue to fall short on the "trust issue" as long as the attacks continue. Can YOU really trust anyone whose work focuses on censoring opposition rather than allowing a responsible exchange of ideas. What started off as a vision seeking a no kill nation has morphed into groups of inexperienced leaders competing in a power grab for donations that leave the needs of shelter and puppy mill victims by the wayside.

No Kill Nation leadership team has made it abundantly clear if YOU dare oppose or question No Kill Nation’s lack of leadership experience you too will become the next target for attack.

From the list of now banned and censored blog postings now known as "Plaintiff’s Composition Exhibit A" of defamatory blogs.

Trip Down Yellow Brick Road dated May 24, 2011– A personal story about traveling with my hounds in the early years and stories on our special needs rescues. Drats will include this on a list of blogs that will be reposted. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included. This blog was "illegally" included a defamatory and thus serves as an example of No Kill Nation violating my right to free speech.

Texas Action Alert SB 1451 Passes Senate" dated May24, 2011 is an article about Texas passing puppy mill reform SB 1451. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included. Since No Kill Nation included this article along with a number of other blogs that addressed puppy mill reform we can assume that No Kill Nation supports a breeders rights to run a puppy mill.

No Kill – A Movement or a Cult dated May 23^rd 2011. Op-ed piece discussing cults. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Temperament Testing – deciding which shelter dogs die dated May 2011. An article on temperament testing shelter dogs. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Miami Dade "Rescue Group Closing" dated May 20, 2011. Press Release info from MDAS. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Why Does Bett Sundermyer Oppose Puppy Mill Reform? dated may 19, 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

RPOA Press Release on Texas SB 1451 Puppy Mill Bill dated May 17, 2011. More on puppy mill issue. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Near The End dated may 16, 2011. Lyrics from the song "Near the End". There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Houston "we have a problem – the puppy mill nuts have taken over" dated may 1, 2011. Article on puppy mills. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Hey you, is there anybody out there? Dated May 16, 2011. Article on Nathan Winograd written as an op-ed. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Have we reached a point where the art of shared compromise is lost? dated may 13 2011. Writer’s personal observations. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

The Death of Hope’s Law dated May 2011. Observations on the failing of Nathan Winograd’s CAPA type "Hopes Law" in Texas. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Voices from the night dated July 9 2011. Blog on opposition to planned protest at Miami Dade Animal Services. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

No Kill Nation Issues False Press report on MDAS Parvo Outbreak dated July 7 2011. Discusses parvo outbreak at MDAS. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Nathan Winograd’s "Blows Against the Empire" dated July 3 2011. Article on Nathan Winograd. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

The Grim Realty of No Kill Miami
dated August 22 2011. Observations on perils facing a no kill Miami Dade. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Miami Dade – Is No Kill Possible? Dated August 21 2011. Observations on Miami Dade’s no kill resolution. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Winograd’s Parting Shot at Maddie’s Fund dated August 2011. Article on Nathan Winograd. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

A Tale of Four Cities but reality for one dated August 11 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

No Kill Nation – MDAS Out of the Darkness dated August 9 2011. Observations on MDAS shelter management transition. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Tompkins SPCA – the little shelter that couldn’t dated August 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Mike Fry – The Myth of the Myth of Pet Overpopulation dated August 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

No Kill Nation to negotiate a new tomorrow for MDAS dated August 6 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.
 
What’s up at Memphis Animal Services? dated August 7 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

No Kill Nation’s Relentless Attack on MDAS – who really suffers? dated August 3 2011. Article addressing MDAS shelter and management policy. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

No Kill Sanctuary or Puppy Mill dated September 24 2011. Article on no kill sanctuary raided for hoarding. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Why Tompkins SPCA is not an Open Admission No Kill Shelter dated September 11 2011. Article on no kill sheltering and open admission policies. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Winograd – ASPCA’s Mission Orange does more harm than good?
dated October 31 2011. Commentary on Nathan Winograd article. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

I can see very well dated October 25 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Animal Ark’s private war with AHS dated September 11 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

The Homestead Dogs dated October 24 2011. Blog on stray dog issues in the Everglades. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Is pet overpopulation a "myth" dated October 12 2011. Article on pet overpopulation. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Greatest Love of All dated October 11 2011. Article on my dogs. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

No Biscuit for Shirley dated October 6 2011. Article on no kill blogger Yesbiscuit. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Sometimes you can’t please anyone dated November 25 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Does a leadership void threaten the no kill movement? dated November 25 2011. Op ed article on no kill movement’s lack of leadership. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Digging through the no kill spin dated November 24 2011. Removed blog from public domain.

Can you hear me now? dated November 23 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Florida Rescue Act – what it doesn’t do – protect shelter pets dated November 22 2011. Article opposing FARA. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Donate to No Kill Nation? It all makes perfect sense dated November 2011. Removed from public domain.

Solving Our Pit Bull Problem dated November 14 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Do Draconian Dog Barking Laws add to shelter killing dated November 12 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Finding target audience in this nosy advocacy world dated November 9 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Good morning No Kill Nation dated November 7 2011. Removed from public domain.

Very Truly Up Yours dated November 1 2011. Removed from public domain.

No Kill Nation’s failed message of hate kills dated December 24 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Howliday Cheer to a no kill – "no suffering" nation dated December 23 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

No Kill Nation – "enough homes for all unwanted animals? dated December 22 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Nathan Winograd and his support team dated December 21 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Valerie "Gossip Girl" Hayes Rattles Her Craddle dated December 20 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Why the LIES from Chris Benson and Valerie Hayes? dated December 19 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Who is responsible for shelter killing? dated December 18 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

NKN Lawsuit – A Battle of Words dated December 2011. There are no references to NKN being frauds or involved in charity fraud included.

Do you feel any closer to a "no kill nation" now that these blogs have been removed? Who wages this kind of divisive expensive battle when an easier path of defending your vision should come into play? How can you lead a movement that you can’t articulate?

After all, if we remove that annoying "animal advocacy" thing doesn’t this simply become all about "Us and Them"?

　

　

Is CAPA no kill's wolf in sheeps clothing?

"I understand the intent of CAPA is to drive KCSPCA out of business, so the no-kill shelters can extort an endless supply of funds from the state and county taxpayer for their no-kill adventure, just like Austin. But how many animals are they, and their political partners, willing to allow to suffer like this to gain a little notoriety in the no-kill circles?"

I came across this blogger who discussed the various problems associated with CAPA inspired bills. I've always been concerned about CAPA because it in effect offers "Obama-care" for shelter pets with the taxpayers expected to pick up the tab.

Under that type of benefits package people would convince themselves that dumping the pet or breeder stock that has little or no previous medical care on a place where it could receive that care plus for the rest of their life is no kill compassion at work. It never stuck me that the bill would indeed cause many humane open admission shelters to simply close up shop rather than cover budget shortfalls as we are witnessing in Austin.

The only CAPA type bill I would consider would be a law that required breeders to provide the same standards of care that CAPA expects public and humane shelters to provide without clearly explaining that it will be the taxpayers funding this disaster.

No kill has already demonstrated it's unethical business side of the equation with No Kill Nation flexing it's mindless muscle with civil lawsuits being filed against whistle blowers attempting to expose that organization for soliciting and depositing over $100,000 in NKN corporate account on donations earmarked to rescue the 100+ Abandoned Dogs in the Everglades. The no kill movement not only has it's eyes focused on the millions of dollars raised by animal protection groups but will not limit itself when it looks at money donated directly to rescue shelter animals as well. One fact is certain - No Kill Nation has admitted on their Webster and in court papers that NKN is NOT a rescue organization.

They simply pose as a rescue group or as a group that saves animals when in fact they have no one working actively in rescue of any type. With an agenda that preaches pet overpopulation is a myth and that it's shelters who kill the pets being bred irresponsibly one could surmise that money donated towards the no kill movement in general and not donated directly to a credible rescue group is just as likely to be used promoting a political agenda that recognizes breeders as part of the solution to shelter killing which of course would be a myth.

http://delawarecapa.blogspot.com/2012/08/passing-buck-cruelest-state-in-nation.html

Winograd's CAPA - will it legimatize hoarding and no kill sanctaury abuse?

About those "No Kill Nation" squirrels and nuts......

In Nathan Winograd's world it's not the irresponsible pet owners who are responsible for shelter killing nor is it the irresponsible people who allow pets to be bred indiscriminately nor is it the many well meaning "rescuers" and transporters who "rescue" these animals sitting on death row in our many high kill shelters - the fault for killing lies entirely with shelter directors who lack compassion and enjoy killing innocent pets.

Winograd and his cultist followers determined to build a "No Kill Nation" claim that there is no "pet overpopulation" problem in states like Florida but instead plenty of "good homes" for all of these creatures too go to.  The vision for The No Kill Nation website was to work towards seeing a day when no savable animal is senselessly killed in an animal shelter.  But does that goal include making sure we see a day were animal suffering is ended as well?  Each and every person who cares about companion animals has a role to play in helping our nation reach this goal - of not only ending the killing but more importantly of ending the suffering as well.

"The No Kill movement’s break with traditional sheltering is less about saving “pet” dogs and cats and more about focusing on the individual animal. Regardless of whether a shelter takes in 30, 300, 3,000 or 30,000 dogs and cats each year, No Kill is premised on—in fact demands—fundamental fairness to individual animals." - Nathan Winograd

The question that remains unanswered by Winograd's approach at "mandating" the saving of animals doesn't take into account that each animal "saved" needs this fundamental fairness that is missing when you fail to properly define and qualify what "responsible rescue is.  Obviously, none of the victims of sanctuary abuse have been moved into a safe environment where their individual needs are nurtured but instead they are simply dumped into overcrowded environments where situations arise that has money donated for their care absconded in same foul smelling wind that takes any hope of a future as well.

But the truth is far from the many myths, half truths and misconceptions portrayed by the 'no kill" movement as it attempts too legitimatize their movement.  It is not a myth that many of these creatures are not "saved" but end up becoming victims living tortured lives in squalor conditions with diseases and illnesses that last for months even years before death takes it's toll. 

While Winograd was building his career at a rural shelter in Tompkins County NY the only people who denied the existence of pet overpopulation were the mass breeding elements either running puppy mills or an underground commercial enterprise of backyard breeders who didn't have a clue what responsible breeding was or simply didn't care. 

Many advocates have started to question some of the concepts portrayed by Winograd while pushing his version of the "no kill" movement.  Perhaps the most glaring is Winograd's claim that there is NOT a pet overpopulation crisis in this country.  No only is there an easily recognizable pet overpopulation crisis in every public shelter in the state of Florida but we also can play witness to the thousands and thousands of homeless animals who are forced to survive on our streets and who are forced to endure abusive conditions in overcrowded sanctuaries as well.  Living on the street is not a home nor is living in a sanctuary absent of human care, companionship and the basic survival needs that define an animals quality of life.

Ironically, it is not the overwhelmed rescue community that benefits from "laying to rest" this so-called myth of pet overpopulation but it is the same irresponsible breeders who now have even more reason to justify there ignorant existence.  Not surprisingly, it is these same irresponsible breeders who are Winograd's most vocal supporters in his trash and burn onslaught against large animal protection groups not limited to the HSUS, the ASPCA, Best Friends and even Maddie's Fund. 

One thing is certain, anyone who dares speak out against Winograd does so with the full expectation of becoming a target of trash and burn as well.  This writer is no exception.  Unfortunately for Winograd - he's taken his best shot - I'm not Pat Dunaway - I have no intention of going off message to simply appease his desire to become famous..Over the years my reputation of being overly candid and thorough in my investigations speak for themselves. 

Unlike Winograd who only draws his experience from a few short years as a shelter director I draw my experience from a hands on approach pulling, responsibly rescuing, rehabilitating and ultimately either finding homes or providing hospice care for over three hundred animals who have been given refuge in my home.
Many of the success stories evolved into writing projects to help define the role of responsible pet ownership and build a consensus of what responsible rescue defines as well.

One frequent target for Winograd's rants is the Humane Society of the United States.  In Winograd's world companion animals would be much better off if we advocates work together to expose HSUS and in effect put them out of business.  One would assume that since Winograd also denies the existence of hoarding cases or sanctuaries gone wrong that this important milestone would be the stepping stone to building a "No Kill Nation". 

However, there is a serious myth involved in Winograd's preaching - those involved in advocating for homeless dogs and cats in Florida have experienced the horrible truth that not all sanctuaries have the animals best interest at heart. 

In April 2011 came the horrible news of abuse of animals, many of which were dogs with disabilities, the the Sanctuary Animal Rescue run by Palena Dorsey.  According to her website:

 

The Sanctuary Animal Refuge is a Non Profit Registered 501(c)3 Organization dedicated not only to the rescue of animals but also to the education of the community.

Our Sanctuary was founded by Palena Dorsey in March 2004.

Her mission was to help those animals that were considered fearful and aggressive or who were old and ill and about to be put to sleep because of the overwhelming influx of animals at local shelters.

Her dedication to work with these animals to help them overcome their fears and to nurture them back to health has been a lifelong dream come true. To watch her work with and love each Dog, Cat, Pig, Horse and other animals brings such joy and tears to ones eyes.

To keep this love going she needs the support of all animal lovers.

By making a small monthly donation she can make this dream a reality for so many animals to live out their lives in peace.

For years kind hearted animal lovers not only opened up their hearts for Palena's efforts but their wallets as well.  Sadly, many would feel violated when the news about how the animals as officials moved in too close down the sanctuary this spring.  Disabled dogs who came with sponsors were either found in horrible squalor that no animal lover would ever want a pet to endure.  Some were missing and assumed dead. 

One can only imagine the heartbreaking suffering these poor souls experienced when their rescue went so horribly wrong.  As much as this writer despises the idea of killing an animal while there is still hope - this type of rescue is not hope - it is in the plainest of terms a betrayal that leads an animal to endure unconscionable suffering at the hands of their savior. 

When news of the sanctuary raid first hit Dagmara Monsalve, president of Rescue Adoption Inc. in Fort Pierce, shared her observations with reporters,

"I've never wished myself to witness anything like what I saw over there. Very bad. The filth, the amount of cockroaches, rats. We were killing huge spiders out of the bowls of water the dogs had."

Other volunteers wrote poignant eyewitness accounts of the horrible suffering of the animals, many of whom had lived at the sanctuary for years, in such vivid details that even the strongest person couldn't help but experience tears of betrayal.  Those of us committed to responsible rescue understand that this torture and lack of basic humane treatment is totally opposite of everything we stand for.

Many animal lovers who helped sponsor dogs who were supposed to live out their lives in the grandest of settings pleaded for information on their whereabouts.  Sadly, many came to grips that these creatures were not only not saved but in many cases forced to live out there days in an even more abusive situation then where they were rescued from.

How did Palena Dorsey, who was once considered for Animal Planet's "Rescuer of the Year" award fall so incredibly far that she would allow this type of abusive care for the animals she loved?  How did the rescue community not see this drastic change in conditions at the sanctuary as well?  Somehow the many remarks praising the work at the sanctuary do not explain the conditions found this past spring when authorities stepped in and closed it down.

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_st_lucie_county/fort_pierce/investigation-continues-at-a-fort-pierce-animal-facility

Ironically, Winograd's "No Kill Nation" isn't involved in cleaning up the mess left behind from years of sanctuary abuse but instead it was the HSUS who stepped in to try and help with this horrible situation.  Winograd's and his cultists followers barely discussed the implications of abuse in ":rescue" sanctuaries with the exception of a few snide comments insinuating that HSUS was only interested in killing the survivors.

Haven Acres Cat Sanctuary

A fancy picture on a website seeking donations doesn't define a caring sanctuary

Haven Acres Cat Sanctuary is a private, no kill animal shelter owned and operated by Steve and Pennie Lefkowitz. Located on 8 acres of rural, agricultural land in Alachua County, FL on the outskirts of the city of High Springs, Steve and Pennie share their home with 200 cats, a dog, several horses, and some roosters.

Concerned about the high euthanasia rate at Animal Services, Steve and Pennie decided to incorporate and became Haven Acres Cat Sanctuary, Inc. In 2003 and were granted 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 2005.  Since its inception, no cat that has needed help has been turned away.

On Tuesday, June 7, 2011, the Humane Society went into Haven Acres Cat Sanctuary in Alachua County, Florida to save the precious cats there.

Haven Acres Cat Sanctuary is located at 21023 NW 168th and owned by Steve and Pennie Lefkowitz of Hillside, Florida. Alachua County Animal Services had been investigating reports of animal neglect there.

To watch a video of the seizure:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lEi2Lk2itM&feature=player_embedded

There needs to be some serious changes in how large sanctuaries in Florida are allowed to operate virtually with no government oversight in the quality of care being provided the animals held in rescue.  Shelters by definition should be required to make sure animals released from the shelter through adoption or through "transfer to rescue" are not victimized in that process.  There is a moral obligation that we as a community find safe refuge for this onslaught of pets being dumped in our shelters are protected from future abusers.

In typical knee jerk reaction the No Kill Advocacy Center in partnership with a new south Florida advocacy group "No Kill Nation" is pushing for a state wide Companion Animal Protection Act or "CAPA" that would require shelters to turn over dogs and cats to any rescue group that operated as a 503 C non profit.  This law would do nothing to protect animals from hoarders and abusers who quite frankly are not only ignoring their responsibility to the animals they claim to be rescuing but are also using donations for purposes that have nothing to do with the sanctuary's operations. 

What does CAPA mandate?  If passed CAPA  makes it illegal for a shelter to kill an animal if a rescue group or No Kill shelter is willing to save that animal.  In other words, rescue "groups (even though Florida is one of many states that doesn't require persons representing themselves as rescue to be licensed or inspected) and "no kill" sanctuaries would only need to be "willing" to take an animal in as opposed to being capable of responsibly caring for that animal with an end goal of seeking a "forever" home for the pet being saved. 

While I understand that there are many responsible sanctuaries like Best Friends who are capable of providing true sanctuary of animals that are possibly un adoptable I defy any reasonable rescuer to explain how over 90% of the animals who survived the squalor and suffering at these two sanctuaries were NOT adoptable?  This type of operation is NOT rescue - it is hoarding in the plainest terms. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lEi2Lk2itM&feature=player_embedded

Over the past few months I have made the decision to highlight the weaknesses in this Facebook "trend" some are calling a "No Kill Movement".   In response to many of my articles the No Kill Movement has quite typically decided to lash out at my articles even by attempting to call me an "apologists" for the killing and to suggest my advocacy work is part of the problem. 

As an long time advocate who has worked and helped define issues that include shelter reform, puppy mill reform, a discussion on the role of temperament testing in shelters and one who has helped define the differences in what is responsible rescue and what is not it is not only my right to speak openly and candidly on these issues but more importantly it is my duty.  I am not  not have ever been indebted towards any one particular group, mission or movement.  

My advocacy voice will always represent what is in the best interest of the animals I advocate for.  The purpose of my writing should never be misconstrued as an attempt to convince anyone to agree with me but more importantly hopefully some of the information, experiences and observations I share will help fellow advocates use reason to draw their own analogies on these critical issues.

In the end, my decision to continue to speak out comes not from a perspective of not supporting a dream of a "no kill nation" but in making the determination that there is a lack of leadership in these groups who want to claim a mandate on a movement that they have little or no knowledge on the direction they are taking.  It is NOT the mission I abhor - it is the simple minded leadership of that movement that must either be replaced or ignored as part of the problem and not part of the solution..

http://www.pictures-of-cats.org/at-least-700-cats-seized.html

In the end those of us advocating for a compassionate cruelty free no kill nation still have it in our hands and eyes in helping to make this dream come true.  That reality won't come from buying more books or attending more cheer leading seminars given by people who have lost touch with the concerns of the true rescue community but instead will come from inside your own hearts. 

It is YOUR choice whether you want to join the band of thugs who have simply reverted to a lazy mentality of blaming shelter directors for all the killing when in fact there's is enough blame that should be shared equally by those who breed irresponsibly - those who rescue irresponsibly - those who own pets irresponsibly and the community politicians who support irresponsible high kill shelters that are not representative of their community's values for our companion friends.

It is up too YOU to question what you don't agree with and too insist on answers and not pigeon hole comments that you bare part of the problem because you refuse to follow the preaching of the cult.  You not only have the right to ask these questions but more importantly you have a duty.

Knowing one regressive shelter manager doesn't make you a "know it all"

"No Kill Nation's" Hannah Sentiac attempted to address the role of replacing regressive shelter director's in implemented the infamous but highly suspect "No Kill Equation" needed to successfully become a No Kill community.  In an blog posting called "Know One Regressive Shelter Director - Know Them All" many of her comments deserve clarification.


Sentiac "One of the many, many things I took away from this event was the concept that communities across the US are incredibly alike when it comes to the shelter system. Every state, county, city generally thinks they’re unique, given their community’s particular demographics, history and set of circumstances. But the truth is, when it comes to regressive shelter management, they’re all very much the same."


Actually, the above comment should be reversed - all public kill shelters are unique based on the demographics, budget, history, politics and an assortment of other tangibles features that make the communities themselves unique.   In other words, Tompkins is not like Austin, Tx which is not like Miami Dade when it comes to it's citizens, economic issues and the politics which forms it's culture.  Shelter manager's tend to mimic the community values that hired them in the first place. 


Sentiac "Regressive shelter directors are cut from the same mold. They trot out the same tired excuses, and make the same horrible mistakes. They don’t have enough resources, the public is irresponsible, the animals are unadoptable … etc., etc."


All "regressive" shelter managers are not cut from the same mold but instead have the same "tired excuses" that include not being given adequate resources or not having the critical support from the community they need.


Sentiac "Of course, you need to take your region into consideration when it comes to local politics, but the key thing to remember is that that the fundamental approach should be the same as it’s been in numerous successful communities across the US. What is the approach? Well, lucky for No Kill advocates across the US, it’s been documented. Check out The No Kill Advocacy Center’s comprehensive document, Reforming Animal Control. "


Now, if only the leaders of No Kill Nation, including Hannah, would read and follow the "road map" to shelter reform from NKAC's Reforming Animal Control".  It is a logical approach that seems to get tossed out the window in favor of unleashing a mob mentality seeking to blame everything on an over-burdened shelter director instead.


From "Reforming Animal Control" we find:

“In the face of what is construed as “entrenchment”, how can local advocates put an end to the killing at MDAS? If you follow the recommendations for reforming entrenched shelters the answer lies in a five-step process: 1. Inform; 2. Negotiate; 3. Prepare for Battle; 4. Fight; and, when successful, 5. Rebuild.”


The first rule of effecting change is the need for No Kill advocates to be reasonable and professional. That starts with going through the steps, one at a time, so, for example, if NKN advocates believe conflict with Miami Dade Animal Services is unavoidable, it will be clear that attempts to work within the system were rebuffed by an uncaring bureaucracy and not from an “uncaring advocacy” movement instead.


Change starts with the right message, which addresses four aspects crucial to a successful animal services program; saving animals, protecting it’s citizens, exercising fiscal responsibility with the taxpayers money mitigating liability. If only one of these (saving lives) but not the others is addressed progress will be hampered.


As important as the right message is, it is imperative to send the right messenger. Along that line No Kill Nation has failed miserably. When No Kill Nation made the determination to call or allow others to call Dr Sara Pizano “Dr Death” they effectively ceased to be a partner in MDAS's future.


When No Kill Nation threw support into public protests demanding her resignation/firing, including one protest at her (Dr Pizano’s) residence they effectively removed themselves from being taken seriously as anything but the thugs they were behaving like.


It is questionable whether No Kill Nation as an entity will ever be accepted as a reasonable partner working towards a common goal of ending shelter killing in Miami Dade. Instead of presenting a vision of the future of partnering with MDAS in bringing about positive change, No Kill Nation’s approach was adversarial, demanding and demeaning.


In it's only meeting with MDAS staff, no blueprint for change was ever presented.  Instead, an unreasonable proposal to simply “stop the killing” was presented and when management was unable to comply it’s manager was labeled as “regressive”. 


The No Kill Nation’s leadership team should have understood the importance of identifying in writing exactly what changes were needed.  Instead, the No Kill Nation focused on the mantra rally call demanding only that MDAS “Stop the killing” without a reasonable discussion on the effect this would have on the rescue community and the animals themselves. 


With no CLEAR place for the 100 plus dogs and cats that enter the shelter each day to go one could make a case that forcing animals to live in the inhumane, disease infested shelters wasn't a solution either.


This meeting wasn’t about the future of MDAS, it wasn’t about partnering to saving more animals, it wasn’t even about offering reasonable solutions to problems that have nagged MDAS for years – it was about taking advantage of an opportunity to gain publicity and grow it’s own organization – the No Kill Nation. It was about being deceptive in their intention and negotiating in bad faith.


If we are to believe Nathan’s math on successful No Kill shelters are we to believe that less then twenty shelters across the country have successful no kill directors meaning that the other 3,480 plus shelters that fall short need new “compassionate” directors?


Let’s hope your no kill movement uses a little more common sense in replacing all of these directors rather then the short sighted approach used in Miami Dade. After all, the animals we are trying to save are counting on it.  It's time to put the focus on  seeking solutions that will save more dogs and cats from MDAS in front of the agenda of "growing" another animal welfare organization that seems to have forgotten those needs.