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Archive of past Move to ACT "Thumbs"

City of Indianapolis
for Perpetuating a Euphemism to Camouflage the Death of Animals
The city (and private shelters) spokespeople continue to use the word “euthanize” to sanitize to the public the death of animals (800 animals/month at IACC in 2009) at the tax-payers’ and donors expense. Per Webster: Euthanasia is: "the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy." Using the term for any other reason (population control, not enough space or unavailable medical care) is misleading and an incorrect use of the word. An estimated and fair assessment is that 90% of these 800 animals (720) were not irremediably suffering medically or behaviorally. "Ethics and honesty demand avoiding euphemisms." - Merritt Clifton, Editor, Animal People (1997).
Mayor Ballard
After IACC board chair David Horth barred Channel 16 from covering the board meetings, Chris Cotteril stated on behalf of the Mayor, that he'd bring a video camera to the meetings himself, if that is what it took to re-open them to the viewing public. Note: An ethics complaint has been filed against Horth for voluntarily excusing himself and thus forcing the cancellation of the Sept IACC board meeting. A request to Mayor Ballard has been made on behalf of mtA and FBI (Feral Bureau of Indiana) for Horth’s removal from the board for behavior that indicates a disturbing pattern of concealment. Ethics complaint is here.
Spay Neuter Services of Indiana (SNSI)
SNSI is applying for pet-friendly license plate with the intention that the proceeds will go into a state-wide spay/neuter assistance fund that will work like SNSI's current Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP), which subsidizes spay/neuter surgeries for low-income Indiana residents.
All the Genuine Rescue Groups in Central Indiana assisting animals at IACC
Indianapolis Animal Care and Control is unable to care for all the animals who come to its doorstep. Area rescue groups and partners contribute a precious life-saving safety net that would otherwise not be available to these animals. If you are thinking about where an animal will be the recipient of 100% of your donation, please consider donating to a rescue group or IACC partner. (Please check 501c3 status for tax deduction). A list can be found here. MtA will be spot-lighting some of these organizations and others in the future.

 

Interim Safety Director Mark Renner in the Penalty Box

Making the decision to dismiss the pre-existing IACC administrator and his management staff to chase political expediency. What an opportunity missed had Mr. Renner actually offered support!  Starting all over yet again…

Thumbs up to Christina Curtis and family

Christina Curtis has rescued more that 400 dogs from Indianapolis Animal Care and Control. This level of enthusiasm especially requires a willing spouse who supports such a commitment. Christina is also a world disc dog champion and many of the dogs she rescues out of IACC have gone on to live with other trainers throughout the world to become champion disc dogs themselves!  Her son, Chandler, is following in his mother’s footsteps and with his shelter dogs they were recently featured in a local news article

Thumbs up to Alliance for Responsible Pet Ownership (ARPO)

ARPO was recently alerted to “Major Lee” who had been relinquished to Animal Care and Control.  The organization took this dog into their care and gave him a new life.  See “Before” and “after” pictures of Major Lee.

More about ARPO and the work they do can be viewed here.

Thumbs up to Shari Blessing

I guess I would say I put in about 14 hours a day, sometimes more. I consider 8 to 8 a pretty light day. I was coming in at 8 but with our new shift starting I am going to start coming in at 7 on Friday and Saturday and 9 the rest of the week.

A lot of the times, I am moving animals in the evening, cleaning empty kennels, checking water, straightening the place up or catching up on paperwork. I think having the night staff here will be helpful and I probably won't work as much once they get up to speed on what I would like to see done. I really would like to do 12 hours and not a lot more than that and I really think that will be soon.

 

Thumbs up to Lucky Dog Retreat

Where owner Robin Herman and staff in the past 3 years have fostered (medically treated when needed) and adopted-out 31 dogs from IACC, plus intercepted 14 more dogs who were headed into the "sheltering" system! See some of the 45 well-socialized "lucky dogs" here

 

Second Chance Rescue in the Penalty Box

Selling dogs that are not altered, not vaccinated or dewormed prior to adopting them to the public.

Read about Sox (Just one of several confirmed similar adoptions)

 

Thumbs up to Rosie Ellis at Southside Animal Shelter

Thumbs up and congratulations to Rosie Ellis at Southside Animal Shelter for her continued efforts in rescuing as many lives as possible from Animal Care and Control. She has been running her shelter for over ten years and has rescued more than 20,000 animals from ACC. We want her to know how grateful we are to her and to all of the rescue groups that continue to save the lives of these incredible animals.

 

Thumbs up to Adam Garrett at Animal Care and Control

continuing on as volunteer coordinator, his dedication to animals at IACC and the long hours Administrator Doug Rae says he's worked to keep the place going during the tough transition. Ray reports that Adam often gets there before he does in the AM. All positive comments in a situation where others might have walked away.