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February Newsletter
February 2011
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Rescue Rally HUGE success!
Move to ACT's inaugural Rescue Rally recognized, rewarded and celebrated those animal rescue organizations that pulled the most animals out of Indianapolis Animal Care and Control in a three month period.Four rescue organizations participated and saved 110 dogs in 3 months. The rescues received $2,000 in cash rewards and $1,000 in gift cards from Pet Supplies "Plus". What does the Rally accomplish? The Rally maximizes the donor dollar to a new and creative level. Recue organizations have established a well-rehearsed procedure for pulling animals out of harm's way. The rescue journey also involves emotional and financial challenges. Most animals will live, some will die. Medical care to treat the respiratory illness of these animals coming out of the municipal building can range from $50-$600+ per animal depending on severity. The Rally "competition" not only enhances the saving of more animals from ACC with a reward-based incentive (by supplementing the financial burden of these small, but efficient, all-volunteer organizations that operate without paid professional fund-raisers), it also infuses elements of appreciation and "fun" into the equation that lifts the spirit. What did the participants like about the Rally? "Everything - everybody has a role - the people that can't pull these dogs can help give money to those of us who can." "I cannot thank mtA enough for the kindness you have shown our rescue. This is what keeps us going." "It was wonderful to be recognized for all of our hard work. The money is also very much needed and appreciated!" "Our volunteers loved the event. They felt honored and appreciated ...we are small by ourselves but mighty together." Rally – coming together for a common cause. MtA is already planning for the next Rescue Rally to include dogs and cats, oldsters, special needs and more, but we need your help! Donations to help make the next life-saving Rally bigger and better can be made by either mail or on line. If you would like help by becoming a sponsor of this special event please contact us at info@movetoact.org or calling 317-641-9300. To read and see more about the Rescue Rally winning organizations and animals, go here. MtA thanks the many individuals and organizations who made this event possible. What are your tax dollar'$ doing for the animals?
Do you want your tax money spent killing companion animals? Or do you want your tax money spent spaying and neutering them?
A recent survey of area animal shelters by a student at Indiana University/Bloomington School of Public and Environmental Affairs reported that a rough average cost to the Marion County tax payer for a dog or cat who enters Indianapolis Animal Care and Control is approximately $225.00. In 2010 IACC received 16,666 animals. Approximately 55% (9,000) of the animals leave the shelter dead. John Tuohy reported in the Indianapolis STAR recently that last year 4,484 dogs and 3,338 cats were "euthanized." Doing the math with either number tells us that Indianapolis city government is spending between $1.7 - $2 MILLION DOLLAR$ of YOUR tax money to kill cats and dogs. There are no accurate state-wide numbers but it takes little imagination to conclude that that number, too, is unacceptable. What is wrong with this picture? If we are not outraged by this is it because we have become too desensitized to the killing? Are euphemisms like "euthanized," put down" and "put to sleep" perpetuated because we can't grow to accept that this insult is happening on our watch? Are we too complacent about thoughtful resource allocation? Challenging a citation from IACC? What not to do.
If you get a citation from IACC that you want to challenge, DO NOT step into the process without an attorney to represent you. Steve Minardo's Circle City Animal Rescue was shut down by the city when neighbors complained about his operation.
Mr. Minardo made the mistake of getting legal representation after his initial appearance. Earlier representation would likely have resulted in a more favorable outcome. Instead of re-homing five of the seven little dogs he considers "family," (to comply with the order that he can have only two dogs) he is moving himself and his rescue operation out of county. Here is the coverage. A short summary of the environmental court process is as follows:
Sources report that Mr. Minardo had good relations with the ACO's who knew about his operation. It is unfortunate that the city couldn't work with Mr. Minardo and Circle City. Punishment was the order of the day, instead. Legal sources report that an attorney on the front-end could have made for a better outcome. Advice to the public if they have to surrender a pet?
Instructions on the website of the local humane society direct the public that if they "... are not able to schedule an appointment and need to surrender an animal immediately, please contact the Indianapolis city animal shelter."
No appointment is needed, but there may be a wait time at the receiving door. At the October 14, 2010 ACC advisory board meeting, Darcie Kurtz, ACC kennel operation manager, says, "We need to get intake down. It would be nice to get to the day when the animals we're dealing with are the ones that need to be here, brought in by the officers due to negligence and cruelty, not those that people are dumping on the shelter." Move to ACT questions an agency's wisdom to point a soon-to-be surrendered animal to IACC where dismal outcomes are well documented. Move to ACT's response to people calling and wanting to surrender an animal and we're unable to resolve their surrendering agenda at the time of the call: "If you contact the local humane society, you'll likely either not get an answer, get lost in a phone-tree, they won't be accepting animals today or you may get an appointment. If you take the animal to the city Animal Care and Control, the chances of it getting killed is greater than 50%. If it doesn't get killed it has an excellent chance of getting mighty sick and/or die before it gets adopted, ...if it gets adopted" "The best thing for you to do if you want to surrender an animal is to connect with family, friends, relatives, co-workers, neighbors and anyone else you can think of because the fate of that animal is in your hands. The last place you want to take that animal to is Animal Care and Control." Callers to mtA will be asked their name and number and if mtA finds a safe avenue for that animal, we'll call them back to help make that connection. Getting the public into the equation will not happen with the default reply of either having them contact or take their animals to the underfunded, understaffed ACC. Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. ~ Albert Einstein (attributed) US (German-born) physicist (1879 - 1955) New additions to "Thumbs Up"
Visit the mtA home page to see who has the mtA "thumbs up" recognition.
Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things... I am tempted to think... there are no little things.
~ Bruce Barton, 1886-1967 American Author |
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Move to ACT is the first choice and the leading voice in providing accurate information to the public regarding the state of animal welfare in the Indianapolis metropolitan area. The mission of Move to ACT is to heighten community awareness of animal welfare issues and to advocate for improved policies and practices. MtA seeks truth and responsibility and is guided by principles of respect, accountability and integrity.
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“Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Work”
Win Cash in 2011-2012 Rescue Rally Rescue Rally Resource Directory |
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Raise money for Friends of Indianapolis Animal Care and Control Foundation just by searching the web and shopping online!
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