NAT'L ORG. FOR WOMEN: USE CLOUT TO REFORM ANIMAL CONTROL

To: All Viewers of this Petition:

Please sign and distribute broadly to others for signature:

a. This petition to the National Organization for Women (“NOW”);

b. Each of the other 4 petitions described in the September 13, 2014 blog “Recap of Stand Up for Dogs’ Four Global Petitions” at:

http://www.standupfordogs.com/blog

Why this is Important:

With the national and international attention now heavily focused on domestic abuse and other intolerable actions by professional athletes, it seems especially timely and critically important to draw the focus of “NOW’s” 550,000 members to our archaic system of animal control (i.e. several thousand ‘independent fiefdoms’ operating at the municipal level).

Perhaps the most notable single failure of this system was the large and bloody dog-fighting ring operated by NFL quarterback, Michael Vick.

Petition #3 (see above blog reference) calls for national reform of animal control and a halt to irresponsible backyard breeding (‘BYB’ing’) which, among other serious problems, is a source of dogs for fighting; that petition is addressed to the influential ex-NBA star, Kevin Johnson, who is President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

This notorious Vick case, however, is only the barest tip of the iceberg inasmuch as animal control professionals have a vested interest (readily addressable concerns re their job security) in not implementing readily available, cost-effective measures that would greatly reduce shelter INTAKE workload. Instead, these paid municipal professionals effectively cause legions of unpaid/volunteer workers to struggle mightily trying to adopt out unnecessarily excessive numbers of shelter animals – one or two at a time. By contrast, the animals needing adoption stem from animals reproducing at geometric/exponential rates and result, in substantial measure, from the uncontrolled ‘irresponsible breeder’ segment of the breeder community.

This ever-repeating (yet largely controllable) cycle of backyard breeders selling to poorly-prepared (not “pets for life’) pet owners is absolutely lethal!

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As regrettable as the ‘Dark Ages’ animal control industry – and equally as correctable with vigorous and widespread grass roots advocacy – is the formidable influence of the $55.7 Billion/Yr. U.S. pet industry (which includes the veterinary profession) on the professional humane movement.

Petitions #1 and #2 (see earlier blog references) therefore are focused on major reform within the national professional humane movement.

This mammoth pet industry is very visible in providing resources focused on assisting animals once they already have ended up in shelters.   (This would seem not entirely magnanimous, however, especially as that percentage of impounded animals that is ‘recycled’ back into society fuels further sales of pet industry goods and services).    

The fact, however, that none of the several large national humane organizations has responded to the petitions discussed here (urging their leadership in substantially stemming backyard breeding) certainly begs the question:   Do large direct or indirect donations to these national humane organizations, from this extremely influential $55.7 Billion/Yr. industry, outweigh thousands upon thousands of small donations (e.g. those responding to “60 cents a day” appeals) from unorganized, non-corporate donors who cannot influence these humane organizations?   That is, isn’t this what may be influencing what critically important and fundamental initiatives these national humane organizations choose NOT to undertake?

Backyard breeding contributes to very large numbers of dogs being owned by ‘marginal’ pet owners; even the most ‘marginal’ or irresponsible pet owners therefore can represent enormous aggregate dollars ‘chasing’ limited pet supplies and services – in short, big profits!

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Similarly, the American Veterinary Medical Association has not responded to Petition #4 (see earlier blog reference) calling for the veterinary profession to reverse its position against elevating the legal status of companion animals to a position of pro-active support.

As can be seen from the following list of all the major entities collectively addressed by these four petitions , these petitions taken together represent a ‘first cut’ blueprint for major reform of animal control and the professional humane movement, and a complete reversal of direction by a major component of the pet industry itself.

National Humane Organizations:

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)

Maddie’s Fund (MF)

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

Pet Industry:  

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

Animal Control:

National Animal Control Association (NACA)

Political Organizations:

U.S. Conference of Mayors

National Association of Counties (NACo)

National League of Cities (NLC)