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

Dear Breeder Apologist - oh doctor pleae - some more of these?...

For those new to the no kill movement here's the reality of what no kill is all about.

Pet overpopulation is a MYTH and as such shelters, taxpayers and the humane community alone share the responsibility for every dog and cat killed under their watch. Shelters are obviously responsible for THEY perform the killing but equally to blame are the taxpayers for not insisting their shelter operate as no kill or for being unwilling or unable to fund those life saving programs. The humane community is to blame for failing to keep up with the number of pets dumped in our shelters with located homes among the 23,000,000 homes looking for pets according to breeder propaganda.

In the wacky world of no kill animal protection organizations are the enemy and breeders are our friends and allies in this life and death struggle with the animals rights fanatics who are only really interested in taking YOUR dog or YOUR cat and either setting it free from a lifetime enslaved as your "pet" or simply killing it to prevent people like YOU from forcing it to suffer.

With all that said how many of you would like the no killers and breeders to pass the Prozac please....what a drag this is growing old.

MDRR Founders put shelter rescue back on track

For those who don't quite grasp what the shelter dogs and cats have lost with the forced demise of the Miami Dade Rescue Railroad by No Kill Nation';s director Debi Day.

MDRR served the shelter animals in MDAS faithfully for eleven plus years.  Here's a story from the early years.  I'll note the lack of hostility that is so prevalent within the rescue community which has reached a state of shamefulness in having advocacy groups attacking volunteers whose only mission is to share some love and save a few lives.

Posted on Thu, Dec. 30, 2004

Many of you are aware that I have long had an interest in the plight of homeless pets from the Miami Dade shelter. Both Sydney and Agnes were rescued from Miami Dade along with the basset Gilmour who later was placed in his forever home.

In early December of last year relations with local rescue groups and the shelter management had reached a all time low point with a high likelihood that rescue might be prevented from rescuing from the shelter at all. In the hopes of preventing such a step which would have resulted in the last remaining safety net for hundreds of homeless pets being removed I formed a group that would become known as the Miami Dade Rescue Railroad.

From the onset my commitment was to put together the best of local rescuers who were willing to withstand the heartbreak and anguish that rescuing from a shelter like Miami Dade.

December 30, 2004

Against all odds the group recently celebrated it's first anniversary. With over 200 members the group now meets every weekend at the shelter to pull out often times the sickest and unadoptables offering them one last freedom ride on the Miami Dade Rescue Railroad.

With the efforts of dozen of truly compassionate rescuers over 500 of Miami Dade's homeless dogs and cats destined to die in Miami Dade were instead moved into the loving care of various no kill shelters throughout the state.

One of my earliest memories in forming MDRR was in a conversation I had with one of the groups original member's Lorraine who had offered to enter what was at the time a war zone at the shelter in the hopes of taking pictures of dogs scheduled to die. Lorraine called me afterwards all excited that she had succeeded in getting the shelter management to alow her to take pictures of a few dozen dogs. When I asked her how she was able to get them to change the rule which prevented pictures from being taken she replied "I started crying..."

As the past several months have shown along with the many tears of joy over those who have been saved there has also been countless tears shed over those poor souls who despite all good intentions weren't able to be saved. To each person who has given a piece of their own heart in the hopes of saving one dog or cat at a time the rewards of those who are saved will be memories that will remain forever. You have given the gift of life to a helpless and innocent creature that society has all but forgotten.

MDRR Founder's message

Story Posted December 30, 2004

Stray dogs, cats on track to new homes

The Miami-Dade Rescue Railroad took a dozen dogs and cats from the county's animal shelter on a road trip to new adoptive homes and no-kill facilities.

Rosa Martinez and her two daughters arrived at the Miami-Dade County Animal Shelter with heavy hearts. Draped sleepily in their arms were four curly, cocker spaniel-mix puppies in need of new homes.

Onsite was the Miami-Dade Rescue Railroad, a nonprofit organization that finds refuge for homeless animals in no-kill shelters and adoptive homes around the state.

Volunteers agreed to take the puppies, though they usually reserve their services for the shelter's neediest animals.

''We feel better that they're going to take them,'' Martinez said, as she waited for the puppies to be loaded into a rental van bound for Naples, Fort Myers and Bradenton.

In all, about 20 dogs and cats boarded the rescue railroad and were granted a reprieve of sorts.

Most came directly from the county shelter's B Ward, the end of the road for scores of unwanted dogs and cats each week -- mangy old mutts, sick puppies, strays, invalids unlikely to be adopted.

A sort of doggy Death Row, animals in the B Ward usually have 24 hours to live before being euthanized by lethal injection. Last year, the county put down an average of more than 50 dogs and cats daily.

It's a sad, but necessary process, say those familiar with the routine, but one that frees up badly needed kennel space at the county's largest animal shelter.

''People need to know that when they adopt a pet they need to be willing to keep the animal for its entire life,'' said Toni Lynn, the organization's president, shaking her head. ``These animals still have a chance.''

HUNDREDS SAVED

The shelter euthanized more than 21,000 animals last year. There's no way to save each one, of course, but Lynn said the railroad has placed more than 500 dogs and cats since the organization's founding in 2003.

''These animals are the very definition of true, unconditional love,'' she said.

The ''railroad,'' so called for the caravans created by members when they drive around the state, picks up animals from the shelter, 7401 NW 74th St. in Medley, almost every other weekend.

But a daily effort is made to keep tabs on new arrivals and animals being moved into the preeuthanasia ward.

Volunteers from the railroad do walk-throughs of the shelter every day, take photos and send e-mail alerts to a nationwide network of animal lovers, rescue facilities and activists who assist in finding homes.

That's promising news for Princess, a scruffy Shih Tzu, who looked more like a dirty mop, and a nameless, trembling, one-eyed Chihuahua, who were among this week's B Ward inmates.

Every effort is made to find permanent homes for them, but when that fails, foster homes and no-kill shelters pick up the slack.

''No-kill shelters take animals for us only as space becomes available, but we're in contact with them all the time and they tell us what they can take,'' said Jana Sheeder, one of the organization's co-founders.

The railroad coordinates with other rescue operations that may cater to certain breeds like basset hounds and boxers by checking the Miami-Dade shelter for surrenders.

IN NEED OF HELP

Despite taking Martinez's puppies, the railroad generally only rescues from public facilities. Sheeder and other volunteers were glad to help, but wished they could do more. They need help themselves -- especially with those on death's doorstep.

''There are so many dogs in the B Ward that can't wait for the weekend to come. Their time is up,'' she said. ``We really need foster homes to take the animals until they can be placed.''

Of course, the public has a role in helping, especially the pet-owning public.

''We can avoid so many of these problems if people get their pets spayed and neutered,'' Sheeder said.
To learn more on the sad demise of MDRR read my blog "The Death of MDRR"

http://squirrelsnnuts.blogspot.com/2012/05/death-of-miami-dade-rescue-railroad.html

No Kill Nation FARA, PETA and the rescue hoarding card

Posted on No Kill Nation:

FOLLOW UP--Caboodle Ranch; The other side of the story.

Madison County, FL, 5 weeks ago- PeTA was first to break the news that they had been investigating Caboodle Ranch, a cat sanctuary located in FL. Their claims of hoarding, squalor, disease, and neglect on the ranch property affecting hundreds of cats, soon flooded the internet and news across the U.S.

As the story unfolded, we all learned a PeTA "investigator" who posed as the custodian to the home and property was obviously not doing the job hired to do. Instead the "investigator/custodian" was capturing video evidence over the course of a 5 month period. Yes, this person was watching from behind a camera as the cats allegedly, became more and more ill.

The ASPCA "rescued" all of the cats from Caboodle Ranch, followed by donor solicitations from both PeTA and the ASPCA to stop animal hoarding. However, as we learn more, we have to wonder what this "investigation" was all about, as intimated by Caboodle Ranch's attorney's statement in this report. Was this the agenda of a "...private interest group"?

Prior to the Caboodle 'bust", The Florida Animal Rescue Act had gained strong support in both Tallahassee and the public during the 2012 FL legislative session. PeTA campaigned heavily against the F.A.R.A. Bill, claiming F.A.R.A. was dangerous and would allow rescue groups to hoard even more. Keep in mind; this was not a shelter, but a sanctuary.

The F.A.R.A. Bill in no way applied to this situation, in fact, IF Craig Grant was a HOARDER; F.A.R.A. had remedies built into the Bill giving the authorities recourse.

How many cats was there that were actually sick? Where are the cats now? How many were KILLED? We may never know. We have heard from several people- rescuers, cat adopters, and visitors of Caboodle who have negated the PeTA reports as to the condition of the cats. They have also verified that the ranch was a place where adoptions occurred, not a hoarder at all.

There are definitely two sides to this story.
Craig Grant, along with his attorney speaks out!  posted by No Kill Nation

If you hate PETA you'll be in good company as a No Kill Nation supporter. Rarely a day goes by without breeder support groups like No Kill Nation regurgitating some form of PETA hate thread.

As in the case of No Kill Nation's analogy of the Caboodle Ranch Sanctuary often times the facts get blurred by the many rabid breeders who participate in the PETA trashing. How one can leap from being able to justify any of the Caboodle Ranch survivors suffering at the hands of rescue is mystifying but we'll assume that NKN is driven by political motivations that allow this collateral feline suffering to be tolerable.

It should not be surprising that No Kill Nation's leadership team lead by "breeder/hoarder apologist" Debi Day is once again trying to spin some sort of positive story coming from the recent Caboodle Ranch raid. This is a "leader" with a history of surrounding herself with rescue amateurs who have completely redefined the definition of irresponsible rescue.

Clearly the issues of rescue hoarding are crucial to the rescue community at large as cases like this only paint a dismal picture of the rescue communities role in solving not only our pet overpopulation problems but shelter killing and suffering at the hands of exploiters as well. To look for superficial excuses for keeping cats in such a horrible setting that allows suffering to such a degree only points out how twisted the "no kill nation" goal is that it allows for any type of suffering, whether that suffering is at the hands of a irresponsible breeder, dog fighter or mentally ill rescuer hell bent on justifying hoarding as an alternative to shelter killing.

While one could expect Craig Grant's attorney to speak out in defense of his client what is surprising is that No Kill Nation is willing to defend him as well. This is clearly where the malfunctioning logic of NKN's brain trust doesn't realize that in defending Grant NKN's founder AKC show breeder Karolyn Rico and local gold digger Debi Day (who has no experience in no kill or shelter reform) has made a tactical decision to defend Grant's handling and abuse of Caboodle Ranch. This includes not only the allegations of neglect that Grant withheld critical vet care but allegations of misuse of funding that should have been used to provide medical treatment but was not.

　
One thing is certain, the massive breeder support for the no kill movement fueled by Winograd's lambasting of animal protection groups like HSUS, ASPCA or PETA has caused a "dumbing down" effect that breeders add to the movement. It's not surprising that No Kill Nation doesn't waste a lot of brain power trying to defend sanctuary hoarding cases like Palena Dorsey's Animal Sanctuary in Clewistown, or the Haven's Acres Cat Sanctuary raid that lead to numerous charges being filed or the now more recent raid on Caboodle Ranch. It's much simpler for these breeder malcontents to blame everything on PETA.

No Kill Nation's political agenda includes controversial policy positions ignoring the reality of pet overpopulation. It shouldn't be surprising that No Kill Nation shares a hatred for animal protection groups like PETA, the HSUS or the ASPCA. Instead,

Debi Day's "No Kill Nation" shares an agenda of hatred directed at the animal protection community. With allies armed against the animal protection movement including the likes of breeder support groups including Patti Strand's National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA), Walt Hutchens Pet Law group or Rick Bermans many animal exploitation groups including Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) and HumaneWatch.

It is this "strange bedfellows" arrangement that should cause red flags for a "no kill" agenda that completely ignores the role of irresponsible breeding as a cause and effect for not only an ongoing pet overpopulation crisis but shelter killing as well.

What No Kill Nation doesn't share as a political agenda is a goal of building a "no kill - no suffering" nation that would work towards strengthening animal protection laws tightening regulations not only on commercial puppy mill breeders but large scale rescue operations like Caboodle as well.

If we are going to rescue and shelter our homeless pets then we must provide regulations that PROTECT these same pets from being exploited once again by an rescue community that turns a blind eye to animal cruelty and neglect under "no kill".

It should not be surprising that No Kill Nation's leadership team lead by "breeder hoarder apologist" Debi Day is once again trying to spin some sort of positive story coming from the recent Caboodle Ranch raid. This is a "leader" with a history of surrounding herself with rescue amateurs who have completely redefined the definition of responsible rescue.

Debi Day's concept of "rescue" includes the like of convicted criminals like Maggie Rodriquez who have left dozens of shelter dogs dumped in boarding only to suffer the ultimate in rescue betrayal. It's been quite clear that No Kill Nation is not the least bit interested in "rescue" except when it comes to running chip ins that can be used to fund a breeder enabling political agenda including the misguided FARA bill.

Of course, in order to spin this story NKN has to ignore years of complaints coming out of Caboodle but one fact that can't be ignored is that despite having over $80,000 in unspent donations very few of the cats who were ill received any type of treatment whatsoever. Further, how can a responsible sanctuary explain away the number of unaltered cats at the sanctuary who were allowed to reproduce despite the incredible number of cats already being cared for?

Craig Grant is not only a HOARDER but he is a criminal as well. Grant routinely helped himself to funds donated to care for the cats including using donations for lavish sporting events, trips to Vegas and just about everything EXCEPT providing medical care for the cats entrusted to HIS sanctuary.

For those interested in the truth and the suffering that went on at the Caboodle Ranch click on the following link. One thing is certain - the cats who survived Caboodle ranch have a much more promising future than had they been left behind.

http://caboodleranch.net/

No Kill Nation's attack on the roles PETA, ASPCA and other humane groups played is nothing more than sour grapes for PETA pointing out the obvious - the Florida Animal Rescue Act would have only resulted in MORE hoarding cases coming out of an unregulated Florida rescue community not less.

Despite claims to the contrary by an obviously confused NKN leadership team FARA would have had NO IMPACT on Caboodle Ranch specifically because Grant primary source of cats were owner surrenders that he could collect a fee from.

The Florida Animal Rescue Act (FARA) did NOT require rescue groups to provide a physical address or to face yearly inspections. There would be no reason for on non profits like Caboodle Ranch to provide any reporting on animals in their care. Even "rescue" groups like Caboodle Ranch that allow pets to reproduce would not face any additional regulations under FARA.

FARA was a BAD BILL for animals that failed miserably in protecting shelter pets from criminal exploiters like Grant.  To read more about the Florida Animal Rescue Act and how it will lead to more shelter suffering:

http://squirrelsnnuts.blogspot.com/2012/02/no-kill-nations-flawed-florida-animal.html

No Kill Trilogy Amused to Death

News hound sniffs the air
He latches on to that symbol of detachment
Attracted by the peeling away of feeling
The celebrity of the abused, ooh western woman, western girl

And the children of Melrose strut their stuff
Is absolute zero cold enough
And out in the valley warm and clean
The little ones sit by their FB screens
No thoughts to think
No tears to cry
All sucked dry

Down to the very last breath
Bartender what is wrong with me
Why am I so out of breath
The captain said excuse me ma'am
Your nation has amused itself to death

We watched the tragedy unfold
We did as we were told
We bought and sold
It was the greatest show on earth
But then it was over
We ohhed and aahed
We flew our private jets

We ate our last few jars of caviar
And somewhere out there in the stars
A keen-eyed look-out
Spied a flickering light
Our last hurrah
And when they found our shadows
Grouped around the FB sets

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.

Chimes of Freedom

Far between sundown's finish an' midnight's broken toll
We ducked inside the doorway, thunder crashing
As majestic bells of bolts struck shadows in the sounds
Seeming to be the chimes of freedom flashing
Flashing for the warriors whose strength is not to fight
Flashing for the refugees on the unarmed road of flight
An' for each an' ev'ry underdog soldier in the night
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.

In the city's melted furnace, unexpectedly we watched
With faces hidden as the walls were tightening
As the echo of the wedding bells before the blowin' rain
Dissolved into the bells of the lightning
Tolling for the rebel, tolling for the rake
Tolling for the luckless, the abandoned an' forsaked
Tolling for the outcast, burnin' constantly at stake
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.

Through the mad mystic hammering of the wild ripping hail
The sky cracked it's poems in naked wonder
That the clinging of the church bells blew far into the breeze
Leaving only bells of lightning and it's thunder
Striking for the gentle, striking for the kind
Striking for the guardians and protectors of the mind
An' the poet an the painter far behind his rightful time
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.

In the wild cathedral evening the rain unraveled tales
For the disrobed faceless forms of no position
Tolling for the tongues with no place to bring their thoughts
All down in taken-for granted situations
Tolling for the deaf an' blind, tolling for the mute
For the mistreated, mateless mother, the mistitled prostitute
For the misdemeanor outlaw, chased an' cheated by pursuit
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.

Even though a clouds's white curtain in a far-off corner flashed
An' the hypnotic splattered mist was slowly lifting
Electric light still struck like arrows, fired but for the ones
Condemned to drift or else be kept from drifting
Tolling for the searching ones, on their speechless, seeking trail
For the lonesome-hearted lovers with too personal a tale
An' for each unharmfull, gentle soul misplaced inside a jail
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.

Starry-eyed an' laughing as I recall when we were caught
Trapped by no track of hours for they hanged suspended
As we listened one last time an' we watched with one last look
Spellbound an' swallowed 'til the tolling ended
Tolling for the aching whose wounds cannot be nursed
For the countless confused, accused, misused, strung-out ones an' worse
An' for every hung-up person in the whole wide universe
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.  - Bob Dylan 1964

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBwVHK8JzGs&feature=related