ORA'S SUBMISSION FOR A NO-KILL FERAL CAT PROGRAM HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY TORONTO ANIMAL SERVICES: MANY CATS' LIVES WILL BE SAVED

In addition to our usual rescue work, in the last 18 months, ORA has done a tremendous effort to stop the killing of healthy animals in pounds.

At this purpose, ORA–Organization for the Rescue of Animals has brought to Toronto in the fall of 2011, Bill Bruce, the former director of Calgary Animal Services who has been able to introduce in Calgary innovative life-saving measures.

In April 2012, ORA has also organized, in Toronto, a seminar with Nathan Winograd, the Leader of the No Kill movement in the United States who has helped and inspired over 70 communities to became No Kill. After ORA’s Bill Bruce and Nathan Winograd’s event we have assisted to the spontaneous creation of countless No Kill groups that are trying either to put pressure on the pounds in their communities to become no kill or have started working with their local pounds, when these are receptive, towards the implementation of life saving measures.

In the late summer and early fall of 2012 even Toronto Animal Services launched a series of public consultations on three topics, one being the feral cats issue. Although feral cats have shared the human landscape for thousands of years, in our modern times , some people have become intolerant towards outdoor cats and often either call their local pound to remove them or take the cats directly to the pound. As feral cats are not adoptable they end being killed. This is an unnecessary atrocity, it is immoral, costly to taxpayer and damaging to the community. because the city rodents are taking over.

As a real estate agent for over 20 years, I have seen the rodent problem taking over. 20 years ago there were complaints of rodents presence in some marginal areas of Toronto , but now even upscale communities often complain about a rodents problem. Cats are the only deterrent, so why killing them, when they fulfill such a wonderful; community service to keep rodents at bay?

ORA’s September 13, 2012 public submission to Toronto Animal Services public consultation was suggesting that:

"No stray or feral cat that arrives to TAS in reasonably good health should be killed. All feral and stray cats should be neutered and returned to the same place where they were picked up…. Feral or stray cats in relative good shape have obviously found sources of food to sustain them and they should therefore be neutered and returned. There is no logical reasons that could justify killing them, especially since Toronto is afflicted by an increasing rodent problem”

Feral cats are not homeless and they do not deserve to die just because they are not someone “pet”. They do belong outdoor and the animal caring people can just help them by supplying food and providing outdoor properly constructed shelters for the winter months. Trap Neuter and Return is a practice implemented worldwide to humanely control cat population and it has been proven to be very successful.

Although weeks ago, a staff of the city of Toronto has already informed us that ORA’s feral cat proposal had been accepted, we were very glad when just a few days ago we received the formal confirmation from Toronto Animal Services in an e-mail to Toronto rescue groups

“We are now ready to implement our Feral Cat Policy where all healthy feral cats that enter TAS Animal Centres will be returned to their location of origin or relocated when necessary!”

This is a great progress towards the implementation of No-Kill in Toronto. Lives we be saved and we are applauding this new program, although this is just a first step and the idea of what is a “healthy cat” is subjective and subject to discretion. Would an eye infection, ear mites, or a rotten tooth for instance disqualify a cat from being considered “ healthy” and therefore from being neutered and returned? In any case the acceptance to neuter and return any healthy feral cat who is brought in the pound is a step in the right direction and a great victory towards the embracing of the no kill principle.

We hope that all other pounds in Southern Ontario will follow suit. Obviously that is going to be more difficult to implement in municipalities where free roaming cats are not allowed.((How ridiculous is to forbid free roaming cats, what is coming next, stopping free roaming birds?).

It is important that the animal caring community ask and expect changes. Pounds directors and staff are paid by tax payers and they are accountable. Public participation and intervention is extremely important to bring about the necessary changes to save the lives of all the companion animals ending up in pounds. ORA has offered its support to the everyday implementation of new feral cat program and we will continue to work towards educating the community towards a peaceful coexistence with feral cats. Our offer is out, accepted or not, we will continue tireless our rescue and advocacy work, but please bear in mind we need your help, the help of all our volunteers, supporters and donors. The new feral cat program will likely save hundreds of lives every year, but thousands of companion animals, surrendered and tamed cats, dogs and pocket animals are still being killed: a lot remain to do.
 
If you wish to volunteer, donate or support ORA’s work, please e-mail us at info@ora-animaslrescue.org or call 416 726 5762 or 416 726 8895.

Claudia Vecchio
ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals
http://ora-animalsrescue.org

HAC-STK: Sound Off With Guest Writer, Eva McDowell

As you may know, there is a public meeting on Tue Nov 15 with Hamilton mayor & council regarding the new bylaw for Hamilton Animal Control. They have posted the proposed new bylaw on the Hamilton Spectator website. After reading through it carefully, the only positive change is the removal of the 2 pet limit. They have also stated they are running a public education program. Other than that, nothing will change.:

No public adoptions
72 hour hold time
inconvenient hours for public to reclaim their pets
Still picking up people's pets
No high volume/low cost spay neuter program
no volunteers

What does that mean? The killing of thousands of animals every year will continue.

Yet, they state they are working towards no kill. How can this happen without the necessary changes.

They are depending on only the rescues to save the animals. They would rather pay the vet to kill the animals than save them. The rescues are faced with the high vet bills, as almost every animal coming from there is sick. The rescues are not paid a City salary to save these lives - they do it out of love for the animals. They blame the rescues when they have to kill - no one spoke up for him, so what else could we do?

Bill Bruce of Calgary has a proven method and in fact no city funds are used to support the Calgary Animal Services. He is more than willing to share his method. Hamilton Mayor, Councillors and animal control were all offered tickets to come and hear Bill Bruce, yet not one of them came.

The public are allowed to give a 5 minute presentation. We need as many people as possible to come and speak up for the thousands of animals who are killed by HAC each year. By just removing the pet limit, we will be faced with the unending cycle of killing for who knows how many more years.

The time is now - let's stand together and let Hamilton know that this is not acceptable.

-Eva McDowell

HAC-STK

ORA Special Event Recap: Bill Bruce in Toronto on September 30th

Bill Bruce’s lecture, hosted by ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals at the Intercontinental Hotel in Toronto on September 30th, was a very successful event. It is difficult to imagine an event happening without even the smallest glitch, but on September 30th, everything worked to perfection. We wish to thank all of the volunteers who contributed to the success of the evening.

Anticipated with great interest by Toronto animal advocates, the lecture was attended by a room well beyond capacity (over 260 people). Amongst the attendants were Toronto city councilors; directors and executives from nine animals services of the Greater Toronto area; representatives from 16 animal organizations; the CEO, chair and board members of the Toronto Humane Society; politicians, judges, lawyers and veterinarians; a strong delegation from London, Ontario; as well as a few people from as far away as Sudbury, Ontario, including Sudbury’s manager of by-laws enforcement. Everyone was visibly eager to find out how we could possibly abandon euthanasia to control pet population in favour of humane, life saving alternatives.

We really hope that September 30th may be remembered like a special date on the calendar of Toronto animal welfare. The members of the establishments who attended the lecture have the power to bring about radical and beneficial changes for the stray and abandoned animals in our city. We wish and hope that they will apply the good will we have seen at the lecture in implementing these much needed changes.

The slogan of the evening, portrayed in ORA’s posters and in the ORA’s buttons, issued to any attendants in lieu of the entrance ticket, was: “Sterilize, Don’t Euthanize.” Let’s all work together to stop the killing of thousands of abandoned animals in our city and launch programs of massive free sterilization as one of the cornerstones of a more humane future for our companion animals.

Claudia Vecchio
Volunteer Chairperson and Founder
ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals
ora-animalsrescue.org

No More Homeless Pets and Calgary is Leading the Way, Part 4 of 4

From left to right: Animal Health Technicians, Wendy Weed and Arlene Johnson scanning for microchips in a “found” cat.

Animal Services employs four qualified teachers. The interactive presentations are all curriculum-based, geared to classrooms and not whole school assemblies, with grade-appropriate support materials. There is no cost to the school; the programs are funded by licensing. Topics include dog bite prevention, dogs in our society, urban coyotes, and a Junior Bylaw Student Project. Animal Services not only works in partnership with the Calgary Humane Society, but sees that the Humane Society receives a $244,000.00 grant each year. Bill also provides grants for the MEOW Foundation. As well, Animal Services provides support to partnering organizations in other ways, too. For example, they loaned Animal Control’s Virkon ‘fogger’ to the Humane Society when theirs broke down during a disease outbreak in their facility.

When the Humane Society is overflowing with cats and kittens, Bill takes some of their animals and sees that they are adopted into forever homes. According to the Humane Society’s Patricia Cameron, Animal Services and the Humane Society have the same future vision and goals - humane care for all animals and homes for all adoptable animals, including the belief that animals are important and the lives of animals must be valued and respected. The support of mutual agreement to vision and values is the foundation on which many other collaborative actions, large and small, can be based.

Three additional components of the work taking place in Calgary are: police officers working with Animal Control Officers in cases of abuse; firefighters trained in animal rescue (all trucks have animal oxygen masks on board); citizens finding injured animals knowing they can take them to an emergency clinic where the veterinarians will treat them at no cost to the citizen. In Bill’s words, “no animal should be left to suffer at all because of money.” What has been accomplished in Calgary is nothing short of amazing, although Bill says “it’s not rocket science.” He comments that he awakes every morning wondering “what can we do better for the animals today?” One very interesting part of this progressive and humane model of Animal Control is that it is not based on enforcement or creating more laws. There is no mandatory spay/neuter, no breed specific legislation, and no pet limits. They do have an anti-tethering requirement. “No animal shall be left tethered and unattended in a place that is accessible to the public and no animal shall be tethered on its owner’s property unless someone is home to care for it should it be in distress.”

What is provided through Animal Services and what gets these results are valued services. Great achievements for the animals and the citizens are attained not by forcing compliance, but through extensive education, a PR campaign that speaks to the importance of being responsible for pets and reasonable licence fees: all under the supervision of a leader who is a professional mediator.

A final note from Bill: “We have a number of exciting initiatives launching this year. Impound rates are dropping both here and at the Calgary Humane Society. Euthanasia is dropping at both facilities, adoptions are up as is return to owner. It just confirms what we all believe, the answer is promoting and enabling responsible pet ownership, not more control. Control is an endless chase with few rewards whereas promoting and enabling responsible pet ownership creates outcomes of no more homeless pets, reduces aggressive incidents and eliminates animal suffering. Might even help us become a kinder, gentler community.”

Calgary Animal Services provides the model for any Canadian center that wants to follow suit and implement a truly humane and compassionate society. Every village, town and city can choose to move in the direction of becoming a member of the “No More Homeless Pets” community. [FIN]

Parts 1-4 are available on the web on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ORArescue and the Best Friends Network at http://network.bestfriends.org/members/orarescue.

--
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL EVENT INVITATION:

Calgary’s Bill Bruce brings his shelter expertise to
the Intercontinental Toronto-Yorkville Hotel at
220 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1T8 CANADA
on Friday, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011, at 7:00 PM.



NB: We have upgraded to a larger room for the
Bill Bruce event, so a new series of tickets is now
available for sale. Please call to reserve your space.

Tickets are $11.30 (tax included)
Advance Ticket Sales Only—Call 416-726-5762
or visit orarescue.org for more information.

No More Homeless Pets and Calgary is Leading the Way, Part 3 of 4

Smiling faces: from left to right, Doris Porter AHT (Animal Health Technician) , Patty Parent AHT, Dr. Marta Alguacil DMV and Wendy Weed AHT posing with Bugsy, the first animal to be spayed at the Animal Services Centre Clinic opened in July 2009.

The statistics from Calgary are impressive. In 2008, 85% of dogs impounded were returned to their owners with 27% of the 4,830 dogs going directly home via the specially designed, climate controlled vans. Of the dogs that ended up at the shelter, 9% found adoptive homes. Only 6% were euthanized and, in this case, the word is used correctly. Euthanasia is defined as ‘a good death.’No healthy, adoptable animals are killed at this Animal Control. Animals too sick or injured to be provided with a decent chance at a good life are euthanized after a team decides that this is the only humane option. The team consists of a licensed veterinarian, a vet tech, and a senior administrator. This is the only acceptable way that any animal should face death in an Animal Control facility, but this is not what typically happens. This is where transparency fails the animals. We should be able to get the information about how many animals are killed, how they are killed and who makes this decision at our Animal Controls.

As in every city, Calgary’s homeless cats and their offspring provided a challenge to those trying to save lives and reduce the number of kittens born. Several different programs were implemented in the last few years to cope with this issue. At first, a city subsidized program, supported by the veterinarians in their clinics, was launched. Then came the Veterinarian Aid Society, a vet operated spay/neuter and special assistance program. Next, SNIP/SNAP programs were introduced, subsidized by Animal Services but run through rescue teams and the Humane Society. Thousands of animals were spay/neutered, but the numbers still were not enough to get the desired results. With all partners, including the veterinarians collaborating, the idea of a spay/neuter clinic owned and operated under Animal Services was born.

In July 2009, the new Animal Services Centre Clinic opened its doors. This facility has two veterinarians who perform any medical needed interventions, assisted by qualified vet technicians. The goal of the clinic is to help reduce the number of stray and unwanted cats and dogs in Calgary. Spay and neuter surgeries are now more accessible because Animal Services provides free surgery for those on low income. As well, all animals arriving at the shelter are examined by one of these professionals and minor surgeries such as dental care are performed, as needed, to improve chances of finding new homes quickly. This clinic is funded by the cat licensing program.

When you enter this shelter, you are struck by two things – no smell, and no distressing animal sounds. People working here are trained in ‘T Touch,’ a hands on way to calm the cats and dogs. Even though the average stay of a dog is three days, they are walked by staff and volunteers. The cats are played with and socialized. All resident animals are monitored for signs of stress, and interventions are put into place when required. The dogs wag their tails, and the cats come to the front of their cages to be petted. None of this happens by accident.

Since opening in July last year, the clinic is now providing spaying and neutering surgeries for the feline companions of low income residents. The goal is to do 7,000-10,000 a year. Many other procedures have been completed including 29 dental surgeries, 1 entropion surgery, 2 lump removals, 2 biopsies, 4 wound repairs, and 1 pin removal from the leg of a cat. This pin had been improperly implanted, was too long, and was protruding through the skin of the cat. As well, one animal had a full set of x-rays done while under sedation.

The MEOW Foundation, supported by Animal Services, takes care of the Trap/Neuter/Return programs. All of these cats are microchipped, and Animal Services keeps the data on file. If a cat arrives at the shelter, a MEOW volunteer is contacted and the cat is returned to its community under the care and supervision of the community caregiver.

Sounding good so far? Just the beginning!

To be concluded in Part 4.

--
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL EVENT INVITATION:

Calgary’s Bill Bruce brings his shelter expertise to
the Intercontinental Toronto-Yorkville Hotel at
220 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1T8 CANADA
on Friday, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011, at 7:00 PM.



NB: We have upgraded to a larger room for the
Bill Bruce event, so a new series of tickets is now
available for sale. Please call to reserve your space.

Tickets are $11.30 (tax included)
Advance Ticket Sales Only—Call 416-726-5762
or visit orarescue.org for more information.

No More Homeless Pets and Calgary is Leading the Way, Part 2 of 4

Bill Bruce, Director of Calgary Animal and Bylaw Services: having at heart the well being of animals.

Key to the Calgary model is the partnerships. It took Bill a number of years to get everyone on board, but he was consistent in inviting all stakeholders to provide input on the ideas he wanted to incorporate into his shelter. Open, transparent communication with all partners remains the foundation for the decisions made in the best interest of the animals who spend time at the shelter and live in the community.

This model, with no tax dollars spent to pay for it, has resulted in an exceptionally high ratio of pets being returned to their owners, many without ever arriving at the shelter. Success rates are high for finding new homes for those that either have no owner or need to be re-homed. Public accountability for the care of the animals while at the shelter is expected, and is available on the web site. Transparency and accountability are of utmost importance to Calgarians; Bill not only recognizes this but makes sure these are clear and direct for everyone who wants this information.

Calgary’s model begins with the concept that “virtually every animal who winds up in a shelter or on the street is there because a human relationship failed them.” Determined not to punish the animals because of the mistakes of people, Bill’s philosophy is to “encourage responsible pet ownership through licensing, public education, and limited enforcement.” The goal of Bill’s Animal Control is to shift from traditional animal control to responsible pet ownership, and this is reflected in the mission statement of Animal and Bylaw Services: “Encouraging a safe, healthy, vibrant community for people and pets through the development, education and compliance of bylaws that reflect community values.”

Mission Statements are great, but how does Calgary put the words into action? By identifying and stating clearly six primary goals:

1. Identify the issue
2. Engage the stakeholders
3. Build a process that works
4. Educate people to use it (92-95% voluntary compliance)
5. Back it up (5% enforcement)
6. Measure it (how do you know you are improving)

It has been demonstrated all over the world that traditional methods used by Animal Control agencies do not work in saving lives, are costly and ineffective in solving the perceived overpopulation, particularly of cats, and cause tremendous disagreements between residents. Bill introduced a system in Calgary to place the emphasis on responsible pet ownership and away from antiquated methods of animal control. Again, Bill states clearly that “in North America, we do not have a problem with pet overpopulation, stray animals, nuisance or vicious animals – we have a problem with responsible pet ownership!”

So, how would Bill Bruce define responsible pet ownership? He starts with what he calls the “Four Principles of Responsible Pet Ownership.”

1. License and provide permanent identification for pets
2. Spay/neuter pets
3. Provide training, physical care, socialization and medical attention for companion pets
4. Do not allow pets to become a threat or nuisance in the community

Many people view licensing pets as no more than a ‘money grab’ by municipalities. In some North American cities, this is exactly what licensing is. It is no wonder many are upset at the idea of putting more money into the pockets of the local Animal Control.

So why are folks lining up to pay their annual fees in Calgary? And why do some even go the extra mile and pay an additional license fee? It is not simply that Bill Bruce makes paying the annual fee as easy as possible, although that is certainly true: pet owners receive an automatic renewal notice; there is a 24-hour pet license hotline; owners can complete an online form; pay at the bank; make a night deposit; or pay an officer directly. In Calgary, officers are certified mediators whose driving force is to resolve conflicts and help the people who need it the most. Bill Bruce would not tolerate negative relationships between the people who work for and with him and the citizens of Calgary.

The license fee for an altered cat is $10.00 and a dog is $31.00, while an intact dog license is $52.00. Compliance for dog licensing is 92 %. There are hefty penalties for non-compliance – owners of unlicensed dogs can be charged $250.00. Having said this, Bill is more than fair to non-compliant owners. He has been known to waive the yearly fee completely when a person is experiencing difficult times. Cat licensing infractions are the same, but mandatory cat licensing only became law in January 2007, so there is more leniency for cat owners. Compliance for cats was 45% in 2008 but is steadily increasing. Cats with permanent identification by tattoo or microchip are not required to have a tag.

And if kitty does go missing and ends up at this shelter, the cat’s photgraph is put on a postcard which is then sent to all homeowners within a three to four block radius of where kitty was found. This greatly improves the chances for a happy ending. If the family does not want the cat back, then a new and permanent home is found by Animal Services.

To be continued in Part 3.

--
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL EVENT INVITATION:

Calgary’s Bill Bruce brings his shelter expertise to
the Intercontinental Toronto-Yorkville Hotel at
220 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1T8 CANADA
on Friday, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011, at 7:00 PM.



Tickets are $11.30 (tax included)
Advance Ticket Sales Only—Call 416-726-5762
or visit orarescue.org for more information.

No More Homeless Pets and Calgary is Leading The Way, Part 1 of 4

In 2008, 27% of the dogs picked up by Calgary Animal Services were returned to their owners without even setting “paws” in the pound. Specially designed, climate controlled vans allow quick identification of the dogs’ owners.

YES WE CAN!... AND CALGARY IS LEADING THE WAY
By Mary Shepherd

Yes, we can! Three words, spoken repeatedly by Barack Obama during the race for the Whitehouse and after, echoed around the world. While they were meant for the human political venue, they can be aptly applied to the issues surrounding ‘all things animal.’ In fact, what could be more political in the world of animal welfare than debates about how Animal Control facilities should operate?

According to many people working for improved animal welfare, Calgary has the best animal control in North America. This praise speaks not only to how the facility operates on a daily basis, but also to the philosophy behind everything that is planned and put into practice. The welfare of the animals is uppermost in everyone’s minds, along with the welfare of the citizens of this progressive city.

When I was searching for a speaker to address the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (or AWAC) in London Ontario, my first call was to my good friend, Jill Dennis-Bishop, at Best Friend’s Animal Society in Utah. Without pausing for breath, she suggested Bill Bruce. Not only was he one of Best Friend’s keynote speakers for their annual ‘No More Homeless Pets’ Conference in Las Vegas in October 2009, he is Canadian. We have the best in our own country! As Director of Animal and Bylaw Services in Calgary, Bill is quickly becoming one of the most sought after speakers on this topic.

AWAC’s mandate is to advise the Environment and Transportation Committee and City Council on animal issues. So on November 27, 2009, we hosted Bill at a public meeting to talk about the background, philosophy, and operation of Animal Services in Calgary. He did not disappoint. From comments and questions, it was clear that everyone attending this dynamic presentation wanted to bring this model to our city. We do not stand alone. Everyone who listens to Bill can hear his level of commitment to the animals, and wishes to model their own Animal Control after the one he has developed in Calgary.

He has provided visionary leadership and developed collaborative and respectful relationships with community partners. These partnerships include the City of Calgary and the Province of Alberta, the Calgary Humane Society, rescue groups such as the MEOW Foundation, breeders, trainers, pet store owners, veterinarians, and the citizens of his city. Bill’s presentation on Calgary’s Animal Control Services is riveting. After his 90-minute presentation -- Success in Calgary – is complete and questions have been addressed, there is always one final inevitable query: “Would you please consider coming to our city to take over our facility?” Bill says he has received a number of these requests, but he has a job. And he has already set his goals for how he will help make a difference once he retires form his current position.


To be continued in Part 2.

--
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL EVENT INVITATION:

Calgary’s Bill Bruce brings his shelter expertise to
the Intercontinental Toronto-Yorkville Hotel at
220 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1T8 CANADA
on Friday, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011, at 7:00 PM.

Tickets are $11.30 (tax included)
Advance Ticket Sales Only—Call 416-726-5762
or visit orarescue.org for more information.

ORA's Founder Thoughts for Thursday

Some days, it really seems like sad news much outweighs the happy. Between wild animal species facing extinction and domesticated animals being mistreated, abandoned and killed, it can be really difficult to find a silver lining.

However, from time to time, some good news leaves us hopeful that things may be improving and that animals may be on their way to being regarded with the respect and consideration that any living creature deserves.

We would like to share one such uplifting story here today. This good news does not come this time from a dedicated rescue group or from some committed animal advocate, but from the “establishment,” from an Animal Control - from Calgary Animal Services.

Undoubtedly, Calgary Animal Services has taken over the “Leadership of Change” amongst all the established animal organizations in Canada, and its success as well as the means employed for its achievements deserve our consideration and close attention.

Almost unheard of before, Calgary Animal Services works together with the local Humane Society and with rescue groups, in the collective and harmonious goal to benefit the animals. Most of us active in animal welfare in other parts of Canada have only experienced rivalry and the deleterious effects of strong egos amongst animal organizations; and most grass-root rescue groups are just objects of contemptuous disregard from the “big ones.”

But if such beneficial cooperation has been attained in Calgary, why could we not do the same in Hamilton, in Toronto, in Montreal and everywhere else? All that is needed is for the “right people” to be in charge - people eager to really help the animals and willing to work seriously toward this objective.

In fact, what Bill Bruce, Director of Calgary Animal Services and Bylaws, and his team have achieved is not accidental: it is due to the desire, vision and commitment to do something positive for the animals. Bill notes that he wakes up every morning thinking, “what can we do better for the animals today?”. The desire to help the animals, the strong motivation and the strong sense of responsibility makes all the difference.

It is this work ethic, together with the refusal to follow the ways of the past, that makes great accomplishments possible.

That is true for any person who makes a difference in this world. Too often, when confronted with some bad news or with issues of animal cruelty, which are predominant in our world - such as factory farming, massive killing of animals in pounds or hunting - many people react with resignation. “That is the way it is,” “What can you do?,” all phrases that reveal disappointment, helplessness and acceptance of the status quo.

We certainly cannot do anything if we do not want to do anything. A lot can be accomplished if we replace the rhetorical question “what can you do?” with a serious investigation of “what are our options and what are we willing to do.” No matter what position we occupy in society, if we are motivated and sincere about taking action, we can make a difference and our deeds can entice others to follow suit.

What Calgary Animal Services is accomplishing is not only beneficial to the animals and to the community in Calgary, but it is also important because it creates a model for others to imitate and follow. Examples are infectious, and before you know it, an isolated case develops into a trend and into a movement bringing about radical change. And this is hopefully the next good story we hope to report and share with you soon: the success of other Animal Services across Canada, inspired by the Calgary example, to put an end to pet homelessness.

Claudia Vecchio
Volunteer Chairperson

ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals
Homepage: http://orarescue.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ORArescue
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ORA_rescue

Special Event Invitation: http://www.facebook.com/notes/ora-organization-for-the-rescue-of-animals/shelter-reform-expert-bill-bruce-is-coming-to-downtown-to-on-september-30th/235821893123944