This is a cross post from an animal networking group in New Mexico. This woman has worked tirelessly to help the animals that go through the City of Las Vegas, New Mexico's animal shelter. What all this sounds like is that the Mayor and City manager are entrenched in their thinking and as a result are allowing cruelty to exist. Anyhow, here is her (edited to remove some names) post. If you can help, please do so. Even if it is to write the mayor and city manager or help get these animals out and into foster care. This lady is with the Animal Welfare Coalition.
"Since late August, there has been one attack after another. Everything we achieved and planned for welfare of shelter animals has been blocked or distorted. I could go through whole sequence but I am very tired. Simply, the Director of City Shelter would rather all dogs and cats were euthanized than any effort put forward to care for, adopt or transfer them. His name is Elmer Martinez. He heads several departments within the city. The shelter is the lowest on his list. He has been the motivating force behind the shelter supervisors' (past and present) obsession with killing and neglect. He is one of the most manipulating and deceitful individuals I have ever come upon. ( And I fought for the freedom of Black and Puerto Rican boys with the NYC courts.) I have seen hate and prejudice but never the amount of cruelty and corruption that I have witnessed here in Las Vegas. A simple request such as "Please shut the kennel doors on freezing cold nights" is answered by Elmer Martinez and Tim Dodge, City Manager, claiming that I and all of the Animal Welfare Coalition members are"undermining" the interim supervisor, Robert, whose decision it was and is to leave doors open. No, I just didn't want the dogs to get sick. AWC was not involved at all. The dogs are sick. The doors are still open. There seems to be no recourse as this a patron system and Martinez is supported by the higher ups in city government, the Major and the City Manager. I have given the best battle of my life. (NYC prejudiced judges seem like kindness and light after this.) In order to protect my own animals ( poisoning is accepted practice here, as is shooting ) and myself, I am leaving. Hopefully by March 1st. My heart breaks with the plight of the animals in this town. The pitiful irony is, there is no reason to slaughter the shelter animals. With very little to no help, I moved over 1000 dogs from shelter to rescues and good homes in the past year and half. With help, we could have researched many more rescues in the West and moved many more dogs and cats. With financial help, we could have had medical care and a van and gas to transfer. And on and on. We were getting there, then Elmer and Kelly forbid all volunteers. No dog walking, no cat petting, and no exercise pen, still. Now, no adoptions, "a chain of command" to report with any action to free an animal. I have been thrown out of the shelter and then told to come back and then told I was not allowed to be there so many times that I am dizzy. I have no idea what my status is right now. When I go in to photograph animals or help with animals, I have been told to leave by City Manager. At other times, I am called in to look at a dog that needs to get out. God knows. Again, tired of fighting. And the city has never paid me a cent or a "Thank You" for getting dogs out. Odd, very odd.
Somehow, I still have hope. Just can't hold it all up without real help. Time for relief to arrive. Elmer is threatening to start the 3 day kill ordinance, which is unfortunately legal, in city ordinances. Oh yes, the City Council voted the shelter and Animal Control over to Public Safety, read Police Department , two months ago. It has not been taken over yet supposedly any day. Finally, the intelligent and very kind Animal Control officer has been so badly treated by Elmer that she has requested a transfer to Water Control. She loves the animals and cares for them beautifully. She could plan and build a humane shelter. "
Here is one proposal and reply from another member:
"My proposal: a massive letter writing campaign to the city of Las Vegas, telling them that we WILL NOT be bringing our company to visit Las Vegas until they right this situation. What I need from you is a 'bullet list' of issues to cite in our letters or phone calls. In other words, what are the 3 biggest issues there? Inhumane treatment? Facilities? Please let us know what exactly we should highlight in our letters and phone calls. We need to spread the word to the animal community to inundate the mayor's office.
Mayor Tony Marquez
City of Las Vegas
1700 North Grand Ave
Las Vegas, NM 87701
(505) 454-1401
The mayor's email address (no guarantee that he'll get this, so hard-copy letters or phone calls are better): mayormarquez@yahoo.com
Maybe it will help, maybe not, but at least we've done SOMEthing.
Also, letters to the editor of the local paper would also bring attention to the situation. Email letters for the Las Vegas Optic to: tmcdonald@lasvegasoptic.com"
I felt also that perhaps getting word out to the communities and other area major newspapers and news agencies would help bring the spotlight on. I also would like to turn this over to the ASPCA as they try their best to monitor these types of things and can shut down shelters if needed.
Anyhow, please help get the word out and help the animals in Las Vegas. Thank you!
Showing posts with label animal shelter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label animal shelter. Show all posts
Friday, January 29, 2010
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Abandoned Horses....
Currently I am a member on a social network for pet and animal people in my state and area. We have some very wonderful people in this network. People who genuinely care for and about animals. People who go out of their way to help animals.
Recently one of the members has posted, twice now within a 2 week span, about finding abandoned horses during her walks with her dogs.
<<<This is the picture she took.
We have all read about pets being abandoned with the loss of homes for people. And horses are no different. Many are also being left to starve, or turned loose on public lands with what I am sure is the owners thinking that the horses will fend for themselves. A little hint here... Sorry it doesn't quite work out that way folks!
However! Because the horse has been cared for it's entire life to date, it doesn't have the survival instincts that a wild horse has. There are predators out there from bears to mountain lions and dog packs. And the horse is not part of a herd of wild horses, so should it meet up with wild horses, it is likely to be attacked by the herd. Those who abandon their horses do them a great disservice, and it is far crueler to abandon it or turn it loose, than it would be by giving it to a shelter, or giving it away to someone who can care for it. But, most people are embarrassed to say they can no longer care for it.
The person who found this horse contacted the local livestock inspector, they told her they will go out and try to catch the horse, and if caught the inspector posts ads for him for a week, and if the horse is not claimed he goes to auction. The inspector told her that most horses bought at auction are taken to Mexico, and who knows what happens to them there.
As it is illegal to slaughter them in the US now, a lot of auction horses for horsemeat goes through Mexico to other countries. So my question is this, how is this more humane for the horse? All because of pride? Because they couldn't give him up to one of the shelters? Even our Animal Shelter for dogs, cats and other critters takes in horses. I understand that the person may not have been able to afford feed, but good heavens! There are alternatives!
We need to work on getting the news out better for people who may have trouble caring for their pets or livestock, there are resources available. I know we have programs here where I live to help people with food, livestock feed, and care for their animals when they simply cannot afford to. These programs are so people don't have to part with their beloved companion, and that it will help lower the amount of animals going through our shelters, being abandoned, or euthanized because of lack of finances for care.
Check with your local ASPCA or Humane Society, ask your local shelters, research what other sanctuaries or shelters are available, ask your local paper as they may know. Maybe start a non-profit for a pet food bank. There are so many ideas out there. Even most veterinarians will donate services or food for people in need. Just giving or helping a little goes such a long way! And it can alleviate A LOT of suffering. Even a 50 pound bag of food can go to helping and it really costs so little. If you know someone who is having trouble, help them find the resources, or encourage them to give the animal away to the shelter, or to someone who can perhaps give the animal care until a new forever home is found for it.
Recently one of the members has posted, twice now within a 2 week span, about finding abandoned horses during her walks with her dogs.
<<<This is the picture she took.We have all read about pets being abandoned with the loss of homes for people. And horses are no different. Many are also being left to starve, or turned loose on public lands with what I am sure is the owners thinking that the horses will fend for themselves. A little hint here... Sorry it doesn't quite work out that way folks!
However! Because the horse has been cared for it's entire life to date, it doesn't have the survival instincts that a wild horse has. There are predators out there from bears to mountain lions and dog packs. And the horse is not part of a herd of wild horses, so should it meet up with wild horses, it is likely to be attacked by the herd. Those who abandon their horses do them a great disservice, and it is far crueler to abandon it or turn it loose, than it would be by giving it to a shelter, or giving it away to someone who can care for it. But, most people are embarrassed to say they can no longer care for it.
The person who found this horse contacted the local livestock inspector, they told her they will go out and try to catch the horse, and if caught the inspector posts ads for him for a week, and if the horse is not claimed he goes to auction. The inspector told her that most horses bought at auction are taken to Mexico, and who knows what happens to them there.
As it is illegal to slaughter them in the US now, a lot of auction horses for horsemeat goes through Mexico to other countries. So my question is this, how is this more humane for the horse? All because of pride? Because they couldn't give him up to one of the shelters? Even our Animal Shelter for dogs, cats and other critters takes in horses. I understand that the person may not have been able to afford feed, but good heavens! There are alternatives!
We need to work on getting the news out better for people who may have trouble caring for their pets or livestock, there are resources available. I know we have programs here where I live to help people with food, livestock feed, and care for their animals when they simply cannot afford to. These programs are so people don't have to part with their beloved companion, and that it will help lower the amount of animals going through our shelters, being abandoned, or euthanized because of lack of finances for care.
Check with your local ASPCA or Humane Society, ask your local shelters, research what other sanctuaries or shelters are available, ask your local paper as they may know. Maybe start a non-profit for a pet food bank. There are so many ideas out there. Even most veterinarians will donate services or food for people in need. Just giving or helping a little goes such a long way! And it can alleviate A LOT of suffering. Even a 50 pound bag of food can go to helping and it really costs so little. If you know someone who is having trouble, help them find the resources, or encourage them to give the animal away to the shelter, or to someone who can perhaps give the animal care until a new forever home is found for it.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
A bit more on forever homes and healing from loss
Recently a friend whom I am very privileged to know, who is an amazing, compassionate, passionate about animals, and beautiful lady lost her little soul mate. This pup had a rough life from the beginning starting out life on the streets in Puerto Rico as a Sato, or street dog. This little dog chose her when she and her husband were there on their honeymoon several years ago. She was so moved by this little dog that when she returned home, she found a way to bring him to her here in New Mexico. Is it any wonder they named him Rico? This little dog was the first of two to be rescued from the streets of Puerto Rico for her and her husband. The bond was amazingly very strong between them all. Their dogs touched many hearts and made many smiles for us all, as they went everywhere with them.
About 2 weeks ago now, he left them suddenly from complications of illness. Leaving them very bereft and inconsolable. It has been as hard on those of us also who love her as our friend and knew this little dog. I wished so much that I could make their burden easier for them, knowing I couldn't, it was hard. However, I did encourage her to keep her heart open to another perhaps that was waiting to fill the space and who needed them.
To my surprise I received this beautiful email from her last night and with her permission wished to share it with you.
Life is so strange sometimes....
Yesterday around lunch time, I sent off an email to my friend Mary, also known as Mary Martin, Santa Fe Animal Shelter Director. I asked her what her opinion was of adopting another dog after the loss of such a love as my heartdog Rico. I told her I was deeply depressed and unsure how to pull myself out of this. I also told her I had been scanning over the "Adoptable Dogs" on their web site and my mouse kept clicking and returning to this little brown dog named Butternut.
I didn't get any answer. The day went by...Thursday, usually my very favorite day because by the time 530 PM rolls around I've put 50 hours under my belt and I get to go home for 3 days...but yesterday, the weekend ahead loomed over me like a big black hole in the universe, ready to swallow me up...all I wanted to do was go home, crawl into bed and cry.
Then, at 230 PM, Mary walked into our business, with this little brown dog in her arms, Butternut from the SF Animal Shelter web site, plopped him down in my lap and said something to the effect of....You know, this little fellow needs arms to hold him, someone to love him...you can tell me RIGHT NOW to get the heck out of here, or you can keep him and bring him back to the shelter tomorrow morning, or you can bring him back Sunday, or you can keep him forever...you are under NO obligation here...and she left. The dog snuggled under my chin and fell asleep in my arms.....
Do I need to tell you the rest of the story?
Today, at 230 PM, I was at the shelter officially adopting this little adorable treasure. We named him Max. He is approximately 7-8 months old and was picked up as an unneutered stray by animal control on August 12. He was neutered and microchipped while at the shelter. (Stephen would have been there with me to do the official adoption papers but he is in bed with a bad cold, alas the pictures of him with Max in bed)
Last night, for the FIRST night since Rico died, I slept a few solid hours with Max tucked under my chin sighing contentedly. The pain constricting my chest has lifted and I am able to breathe again.
Does he replace Rico? NO! Rico is my heartdog, nothing will EVER change that. Does having Max make me feel again? YES! Do I still cry for Rico? YES!
Max is a TOTAL people/lap dog. All he wants to do is be held and snuggle, he is absolutely PRECIOUS. The bonus is that he and Nita hit it off immediately and they play together all the time! Nita had been so depressed since Rico's death.
I think you can see by the pictures that Stephen is smitten as well. And yes, I look like hell, the last 12 days have been horrible on me.
This afternoon, while we were at home watching Max and Nita play, Mary Martin called me to tell us that the Rico Fund had raised "several THOUSAND dollars"....Stephen and I just sat here and CRIED. What a wonderful legacy for Rico and a wonderful testament to all the friends we have here. We will be forever grateful for everyone's support after Rico's death.
Go ahead, write back and tell me I am crazy! But wait till you meet Max! Even though he may look a bit like Rico, he is nothing like Rico at all, very different personality. And those LONG legs and floppy ears!
Upon reading this, I truly did cry for her from joy, joy that this little dog found his forever home, and joy that he was there to help ease the pain of loss.
Here is a picture of the little guy, I think he looks tuckered out from all the excitement! :)
About 2 weeks ago now, he left them suddenly from complications of illness. Leaving them very bereft and inconsolable. It has been as hard on those of us also who love her as our friend and knew this little dog. I wished so much that I could make their burden easier for them, knowing I couldn't, it was hard. However, I did encourage her to keep her heart open to another perhaps that was waiting to fill the space and who needed them.
To my surprise I received this beautiful email from her last night and with her permission wished to share it with you.
Life is so strange sometimes....
Yesterday around lunch time, I sent off an email to my friend Mary, also known as Mary Martin, Santa Fe Animal Shelter Director. I asked her what her opinion was of adopting another dog after the loss of such a love as my heartdog Rico. I told her I was deeply depressed and unsure how to pull myself out of this. I also told her I had been scanning over the "Adoptable Dogs" on their web site and my mouse kept clicking and returning to this little brown dog named Butternut.
I didn't get any answer. The day went by...Thursday, usually my very favorite day because by the time 530 PM rolls around I've put 50 hours under my belt and I get to go home for 3 days...but yesterday, the weekend ahead loomed over me like a big black hole in the universe, ready to swallow me up...all I wanted to do was go home, crawl into bed and cry.
Then, at 230 PM, Mary walked into our business, with this little brown dog in her arms, Butternut from the SF Animal Shelter web site, plopped him down in my lap and said something to the effect of....You know, this little fellow needs arms to hold him, someone to love him...you can tell me RIGHT NOW to get the heck out of here, or you can keep him and bring him back to the shelter tomorrow morning, or you can bring him back Sunday, or you can keep him forever...you are under NO obligation here...and she left. The dog snuggled under my chin and fell asleep in my arms.....
Do I need to tell you the rest of the story?
Today, at 230 PM, I was at the shelter officially adopting this little adorable treasure. We named him Max. He is approximately 7-8 months old and was picked up as an unneutered stray by animal control on August 12. He was neutered and microchipped while at the shelter. (Stephen would have been there with me to do the official adoption papers but he is in bed with a bad cold, alas the pictures of him with Max in bed)
Last night, for the FIRST night since Rico died, I slept a few solid hours with Max tucked under my chin sighing contentedly. The pain constricting my chest has lifted and I am able to breathe again.
Does he replace Rico? NO! Rico is my heartdog, nothing will EVER change that. Does having Max make me feel again? YES! Do I still cry for Rico? YES!
Max is a TOTAL people/lap dog. All he wants to do is be held and snuggle, he is absolutely PRECIOUS. The bonus is that he and Nita hit it off immediately and they play together all the time! Nita had been so depressed since Rico's death.
I think you can see by the pictures that Stephen is smitten as well. And yes, I look like hell, the last 12 days have been horrible on me.
This afternoon, while we were at home watching Max and Nita play, Mary Martin called me to tell us that the Rico Fund had raised "several THOUSAND dollars"....Stephen and I just sat here and CRIED. What a wonderful legacy for Rico and a wonderful testament to all the friends we have here. We will be forever grateful for everyone's support after Rico's death.
Go ahead, write back and tell me I am crazy! But wait till you meet Max! Even though he may look a bit like Rico, he is nothing like Rico at all, very different personality. And those LONG legs and floppy ears!
Upon reading this, I truly did cry for her from joy, joy that this little dog found his forever home, and joy that he was there to help ease the pain of loss.
Here is a picture of the little guy, I think he looks tuckered out from all the excitement! :)
Friday, September 11, 2009
Forever homes and understanding soul companions
Sometimes it is hard to have a big compassionate heart. If I could, I would probably find a way to help so many more critters than I can right now. Recently we helped donate food for a food and supplies drive for our local shelter who had just taken in 40+ dogs from a hoarder, and while there I went to visit the critters up for adoption. Thinking on it, I felt compelled to write a bit about animals and their choosing us.
I went in to visit with the dogs at the shelter when I dropped off some of the food and towels, and was looking to share a little loving healing and Ttouch with those who were open for it. Of course I found a pup who was just lovely, and wished I could give her a home. I talked to my husband about her and we went back to visit her together the next day, and see if she could perhaps be a part of our family.
It's obvious she's a man's dog, and she was very loving and well behaved and full of wonderful happy energy. And she's a beautiful girl. But as we spent more time with her we realized that we were not who she's seeking. We weren't her forever home. While we were ready to probably upset my geriatric crew with a new sibling, we realized that it isn't time for us or for her to be with us. It was obvious she wasn't looking for us and I truly feel that the right person would be there for her before long. (She was adopted about 3 weeks after our visit.)
This was ok with us. Because we understood that an animal that comes into your life picks or chooses to be with you and be your soul companion. They will come into your life whether or not you're ready. They come when they need you, or your heart truly needs them. All my life my soul companions, big and small, have entered my life when they needed to be with me, and about all of my animals are rescues or adopted from this shelter over the last 29 years, with the exception of horses. Those that I have adopted, chose me and there was an instantaneous bond when they connected with me. Djinn, my russian blue kitty is a shelter adoptee about 13 yrs ago now. However, he and the boy whom I adopted with him were special in the way they were selected. You see I was living in Bisbee Arizona at the time and had lost my beloved boy kitty who was really my soul mate, and I was grieving and feeling very bereft. I called my father here in Santa Fe telling him I really needed to share love with another siamese kitty. He came to the Santa Fe Shelter looking for the "right" kitty for me. At the time they didn't have a siamese, but had this pretty Russian Blue boy with these solemn green eyes who was about 6 months old. Dad picked him up and knew he'd found the one. When he called me to tell me, I knew his name and said yes, I would love him. When he went back to finish the adoption papers, a man came in with a scared 4 month old siamese cross with the most intense blue eyes imaginable (as a voluntary drop) and dad on the spot said he'd be adopting him too. When he called to break it to me about the second kitty, it was alright, and I knew his name too, Cinna. Cinna left me 4 yrs ago, and I miss him. But Djinn is still with me, and like my other boys, Mushy and Lil'Shit they are very much a part of me.
Moving along, being the perverse little furry imps that my current crew can be, when we got home from the shelter today, it was as if they knew I'd been "unfaithful" and I no sooner sat down and found myself inundated with purring and licking furry bodies. They couldn't get close enough. It was as if they were saying, "it's ok mom, sometimes you just gotta share a little love with another who needs it." Made me cry to realize once again, just how very blessed I am with my kids, how much they continually share love with me and remind me of compassion. So the one truth I have found are that the animals who really share their lives with us, they pick us, we don't pick them. Sometimes though, they may not find their soul partner right away or at all, and then we might be the ones chosen to help them through their life. My husband agrees with this perception, and understands this. This being shown to us by the fact that one of my little dogs, Poppy, has chosen him, bonded totally with him, and truly adores him with every fiber of her being, it's that obvious. I was just the means to connect her with my husband. Yummy loves us both, but he is of the frame of mind that we are just here to serve him, even if he is very devoted to hubby also. LOL
So for now, we know it's not time, but we keep ourselves open to any animal who needs us if and when they do arrive. And we'll continue to love our current kids all that much more while they are with us.
I went in to visit with the dogs at the shelter when I dropped off some of the food and towels, and was looking to share a little loving healing and Ttouch with those who were open for it. Of course I found a pup who was just lovely, and wished I could give her a home. I talked to my husband about her and we went back to visit her together the next day, and see if she could perhaps be a part of our family.
It's obvious she's a man's dog, and she was very loving and well behaved and full of wonderful happy energy. And she's a beautiful girl. But as we spent more time with her we realized that we were not who she's seeking. We weren't her forever home. While we were ready to probably upset my geriatric crew with a new sibling, we realized that it isn't time for us or for her to be with us. It was obvious she wasn't looking for us and I truly feel that the right person would be there for her before long. (She was adopted about 3 weeks after our visit.)
This was ok with us. Because we understood that an animal that comes into your life picks or chooses to be with you and be your soul companion. They will come into your life whether or not you're ready. They come when they need you, or your heart truly needs them. All my life my soul companions, big and small, have entered my life when they needed to be with me, and about all of my animals are rescues or adopted from this shelter over the last 29 years, with the exception of horses. Those that I have adopted, chose me and there was an instantaneous bond when they connected with me. Djinn, my russian blue kitty is a shelter adoptee about 13 yrs ago now. However, he and the boy whom I adopted with him were special in the way they were selected. You see I was living in Bisbee Arizona at the time and had lost my beloved boy kitty who was really my soul mate, and I was grieving and feeling very bereft. I called my father here in Santa Fe telling him I really needed to share love with another siamese kitty. He came to the Santa Fe Shelter looking for the "right" kitty for me. At the time they didn't have a siamese, but had this pretty Russian Blue boy with these solemn green eyes who was about 6 months old. Dad picked him up and knew he'd found the one. When he called me to tell me, I knew his name and said yes, I would love him. When he went back to finish the adoption papers, a man came in with a scared 4 month old siamese cross with the most intense blue eyes imaginable (as a voluntary drop) and dad on the spot said he'd be adopting him too. When he called to break it to me about the second kitty, it was alright, and I knew his name too, Cinna. Cinna left me 4 yrs ago, and I miss him. But Djinn is still with me, and like my other boys, Mushy and Lil'Shit they are very much a part of me.
Moving along, being the perverse little furry imps that my current crew can be, when we got home from the shelter today, it was as if they knew I'd been "unfaithful" and I no sooner sat down and found myself inundated with purring and licking furry bodies. They couldn't get close enough. It was as if they were saying, "it's ok mom, sometimes you just gotta share a little love with another who needs it." Made me cry to realize once again, just how very blessed I am with my kids, how much they continually share love with me and remind me of compassion. So the one truth I have found are that the animals who really share their lives with us, they pick us, we don't pick them. Sometimes though, they may not find their soul partner right away or at all, and then we might be the ones chosen to help them through their life. My husband agrees with this perception, and understands this. This being shown to us by the fact that one of my little dogs, Poppy, has chosen him, bonded totally with him, and truly adores him with every fiber of her being, it's that obvious. I was just the means to connect her with my husband. Yummy loves us both, but he is of the frame of mind that we are just here to serve him, even if he is very devoted to hubby also. LOL
So for now, we know it's not time, but we keep ourselves open to any animal who needs us if and when they do arrive. And we'll continue to love our current kids all that much more while they are with us.