TX-RPOA E-News
>From RPOA Texas Outreach and
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
"Animal welfare, not animal 'rights'
and, yes, there is a difference."
Crossposting is encouraged.
December 31, 2011
Since this goes back to 1993, its significance may not be recognized by
newcomers to current Animal Rights Wars and may be confusing to some.
However Texas animal owners should recognize the name James Bias, vegan
director of SPCA of Texas and "caretaker" of four cats (not their "owner")
per the article link below. That's "SPCA of Texas" as in the TV Program
"20/20 Animal Seizure Expose" by John Stossel.
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THE ANIMAL COUNCIL UPDATES
December 30, 2011
Last publication date 9/12/10
Our 21st Year
IM MEMORIUM: The Animal Council Board of Directors notes with sadness the
passing of John J. "Hap" Rutherford, DVM on May 5, 2011 at home in Half Moon
Bay, California. In the late 1980s, following San Mateo County's mandating
veterinarian monthly reporting of rabies vaccinations and right to inspect
veterinarians' rabies records, Dr. Rutherford was the last veterinarian
rejecting compliance. Only when threatened with criminal prosecution, did he
begrudgingly comply. (San Mateo County Code Section 6.04.040(h))
IN THIS ISSUE:
* NATIONAL COUNCIL ON PET POPULATION: STATUS AND NAME CHANGE.
BRIEFLY NOTED
THE ANIMAL COUNCIL in 2011 continued our work on California bills and use of
social media for brief communication of significant developments rather than
these narrative updates. In this trade off, we have not created as much of
the historical documentation that is a valuable reference going forward
(archived from 2005 through Yahoo Groups). The increasingly fragmented,
fractious, competing and conflicting array of animal interest groups and
individuals across the entire spectrum requires consideration of what and
whether specific information, analysis or strategies should be published at
all. This concern requires ongoing awareness and flexibility as
circumstances dictate and resources allow. Meanwhile, our annual photo essay
on the Macys' SFSPCA Holiday Windows is on the blog at
http://theanimalcouncil.wordpress.com/
*****
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON PET POPULATION, described on our web site as "National
Council on Pet Population founded in 1993 consists of animal-related
organizations brought together to work on mutual goals regarding homeless
pets. National Council studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals
and legitimize the field of pet population research, encouraging other
scientists to address this issue in their work. The web site now has the
studies which debunk some of the myths that have led to ill-conceived
legislation and is a must-read to for understanding shelter population
issues."
The unique National Council process required unanimous consensus of the
member organizations to create and proceed with these studies. With
hindsight, it is miraculous any of this happened at all; now it would be
unimaginable. The American Kennel Club dropped out years ago, but the Cat
Fanciers' Association remained active participant. Former CFA Executive
Director Tom Dent had the skill and finesse to metaphorically herd the
member cats into productive collaboration, and Joan Miller served as the
final President. Because funding relied on dues contributions of member
organizations, continued existence depended on consistent commitment of
organizations despite their individually evolving policies, changing
priorities and personnel. Eventually, key members preferred directing and
funding their own research to advance their own interests rather than engage
with other groups and scientists to expand knowledge and understanding of
pet populations. Everyone could buy into and use the National Council's
studies without concern for bias in study design and execution. For example,
most people assumed that puppies purchased at pet shops were a major source
of shelter intakes, but a National Council study showed otherwise. In later
years, conflict between some organizations' insistence on use of the
Asilomar Accords shelter classification system and the scientists'
independent standards created a barrier to further shelter epidemiology
study.
The National Council discontinued its work, and in 2010, one of its members,
the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA), assumed control of the
corporation. No formal public announcements were made. Now a reference by
SAWA Board Chair Jim Bias appeared in the December 2011 newsletter of the
Catalyst Council, "He is also looking forward to reenergizing the National
Council on Pet Overpopulation and Study (NCPOS), a think tank that recently
became a part of SAWA. He explains, "The NCPOS is a group of scientists that
not only look at pet overpopulation, but also examine how people are
impacted by pets."
http://www.catalystcouncil.org/enewsletter/december2011/
Over the years, we had lobbied the National Council to pursue an
inter-disciplinary approach using economics and other social sciences to
investigate how people make decisions about pets that contribute to
population issues without the presumptions, limitations, connotations, or
bias of "overpopulation". We believe the name change is for the best even
though "Overpopulation" may not bode well for future work that we would
recommend. This should effectively segregate the work of the National
Council. All the original National Council studies are still available at
http://www.petpopuation.org
*****
Copyright © 2011 The Animal Council. The Animal Council Updates is a
time-sensitive publication e-mailed to members of our Yahoo Groups or those
who have provided an e-mail address for receipt. Permission to forward in
its complete format to interested individuals, aligned groups and email
lists is granted, but no part of this publication may be otherwise stored in
a retrieval system or incorporated within other publications without the
prior written permission of the publisher, theanimacouncil@aol.com
*a service of THE ANIMAL COUNCIL, P.O. BOX 168, MILLBRAE CA 94030
Contact us at <TheAnimalCouncil@aol.com>
REFERANCE WEB SITE URL <http://www.theanimalcouncil.com>
BLOG COMMENTARY URL http://theanimalcouncil.wordpress.com
Follow us on TWITTER http:// twitter.com/AnimalCouncil
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Incorporated 1991, tax exempt under IRC Section 501(c)(4)
Online news updates published sporadically since 1997.
Legislative tracking subject to change.
..............................................................
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Our statewide membership includes concerned "John Q" Pet Owners with all
species of pets (mixed breeds/purebreds); dog, cat, bird clubs from all
national registries; cat and dog fanciers/exhibitors; all species rescuers
and breeders; veterinarians; veterinary technicians; sportsmen;
working/hunting dog breed clubs and individual owners; search & rescue dog
owners; therapy dog owners; guide dog owners; show dog handlers; pet
sitters; dog trainers; pet groomers; boarding kennels and many other animal
interests.
www.rpoatexasoutreach.org
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance (501 C3 Nonprofit)
www.responsiblepetowners.org
900 NE Loop 410 #311-D
San Antonio, TX 78209
$15 Annual Dues (Jan-Dec)
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