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

Recap of ORA's Nathan Winograd Event!

April 14, 2012, is a date that will be remembered by the animal advocates who attended ORA's Nathan Winograd lecture and workshop in Toronto. This important event for animals signaled the beginning of something wonderful: a coordinated action towards the implementation of No Kill policies in all pounds and shelters in Southern Ontario.

Claudia Vecchio and Nathan Winograd

How could a lecture be so significant? It is one thing to read Winograd’s books in the isolation of our own home. To collectively listen to the leader of the No Kill Movement talking about the many US communities that, with the determination of one person, or with the work of a few people, rose from a very bleak past in animal welfare to became model No Kill communities - is an entirely different matter! What began in the afternoon as a message of hope and perhaps a leap of faith progressed throughout the day to the strong persuasion that it can be done, that Toronto and Southern Ontario can become NO KILL in a short period of time.

The attendees defined the lecture as inspiring, energizing, amazing. Clearly there was such a positive energy in that room! And there were some emotional moments as well when Winograd showed us a long sequence of photos of animals, deaf, blind or with missing limbs, victims of accidents or of human abuse: all adopted! These are animals that in any pound or large shelter will be killed without hesitation, but with the proper community involvement they can all be saved. We know now that this can be done and we are determined together to make it happen.

Animals have the right to live. Cats, dogs, rabbits and other companion animals who end up in pounds and shelters through no fault of their own have the right to live, and people of this age are ready, not only to recognize this right, but also to concretely respect it. We will never talk again about pet overpopulation because it has been proven to us that there is no such problem. Cats, dogs, rabbits and other companion animals are killed by the thousands simply because of the complacency, laziness, ignorance, lack of compassion and lack of leadership of the pound managers. Therefore the problem is easily solvable. We need pound managers who are willing to succeed, willing to be “innovative,” willing to implement the 11 proven principles of the No Kill Equation; we need pounds managers who take their work seriously and who are capable to motivate staff and use their leadership to bring about change. Most importantly, we need pound managers who truly care for the animals. There are pounds mangers who are willing to change, have compassion for the animals, but just miss the knowledge. We can help them. But the ones who consider their position just a job must be replaced. Compassion for animals must be a prerequisite for being hired as a pound director.

What can we do to make this happen? Let us follow all of the precious information provided by Nathan Winograd in his books and review all of the material that can be found on the website of the No Kill Advocacy Center.

We need to do our own research to show the media and demonstrate to the politicians that No Kill is easily implementable and that, in fact, No Kill is not only ethically correct, it also has huge, positive financial effects on the community. Any animal saved from death and adopted out becomes a consumer for the fifteen years of his or her average life span, producing rippling positive financial effects on employment and tax revenues.

As Nathan Winograd said, "a community cannot afford NOT to be No Kill."

Claudia Vecchio
Volunteer Chairperson

ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals

"For the love and respect of all animals."

Tel: 416-726-5762 Email: info@ora-animalsrescue.org

Visit ORA's Homepage | "Like" ORA on Facebook | Join ORA on Twitter

ORA in Corriere Canadese

Special thanks to Corriere Canadese's Simona Giacobbi for putting a spotlight on
ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals!

Fermiamo le stragi negli animal shelter - Di SIMONA GIACOBBI.

Articolo pubblicato il: 2012-04-20

La fondatrice Claudia Vecchio:

«Ogni anno migliaia di animali soppressi, ma esistono alternative»

Full story in Italian here.
English version to be published next week in Tandem.

Are you a Friend of ORA? "Like" ORA on Facebook or Join ORA on Twitter today! 

ORA Letter from the Founder

Dear Supporters,

Toronto's Most Important Animal Welfare Event of the year is just a few days away!

On April 14th, Nathan Winograd will be in Toronto, host of ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals. This is not “just another event.” It is a unique opportunity to change the fate of many thousands of cats and dogs who are killed every year in pounds in Toronto and throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Nathan Winograd has transformed high kill pounds in American metropolitan areas as well as in remote rural area and by implementing a series of sensible measures, he has reduced the rate of euthanasia to less than 10%.

In Toronto and in Southern Ontario, pounds kill every year up to 75% of the animals they receive. This killing is unnecessary, expensive to taxpayers and morally unacceptable. If you care for the animals, please make sure to attend this event. It is a unique opportunity to help stop the killing.

Nathan Winograd is a much sought after speaker on animal welfare issues in the US and an award winning writer. He is in Toronto for the first time. This is not just a lecture it is a course of action to follow for ”Building a No-Kill Community.”

To reserve your ticket, call ORA now at 416 726 8895 or 416 726 5762.
For more information please visit http://www.orarescue.org/ or http://www.facebook.com/ORArescue.

Looking forward to see you on April 14.

Cats and dogs have the right to live: let’s stop the killing. Come to find out how on April 14!

Claudia Vecchio
Volunteer Chairperson
ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals
www.orarescue.org
Tel: 416 726 5762

Counting Down to April 14th with ORA and Nathan!

April 4, 2012 -- In ten days' time, Nathan Winograd will be in Toronto for one day only to present his exciting and inspirational "Building a No-Kill Community" seminar and leadership workshop at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre's South Hall (222 Bremner Boulevard) in Room 714.

Only a few tickets remain at this time, and NO tickets will be sold at the door - so don't delay - be sure to contact ORA at 416-726-8895 or info@ora-animalsrescue.org to get your names on the guest list ASAP or buy your tickets online soon at http://orarescue.org/.

ORA's 10 DAY COUNTDOWN begins today! Count down with us here on Blogger, on Facebook or on Twitter over the next ten days.

ORA Responds

Lately, some people, including several pound managers and staff in particular, have been angered by our use of the word "kill," referring to the putting down and killing of animals in pounds. A few sources have threatened us with a boycott of the Nathan Winograd event. Even "supporters" have asked us to remove the word "kill" from our Winograd event posters, even though the title of Nathan's lecture is "Building a No-Kill Community."

The first consideration that comes to mind is this: if they are offended by the word, then they must feel that "killing" is wrong. So why not try to change things and stop the killing rather than hide behind euphemisms? Changing the word does not change the reality; one needs to recognize the problem in order to find the will to change. To this end, we have found Nathan Winogard's following passage in "Irreconcilable Differences" aptly interesting as we continue to encounter the same blindnesses here in Toronto and in many parts of Southern Ontario.

"There is a great hypocrisy in the humane movement. While shelters decry the public's irresponsibility, shelters reject responsibility for the animals in their care. And while they tell the public not to treat the animals as disposable, they treat animals exactly that way by killing them-and literally disposing of their bodies in landfills. In fact, they will even deny that they are killing. The Humane Society of the U.S. held a workshop on "euthanasia" at their national sheltering conference in March of 2006. According to the speaker,

"We're not; we're not killing them... in that "kill" is such a negative connotation. It's... we're not killing them. We are taking their life, we are ending their life, we are giving them a good death, we're humanely destr- whatever. But we're not killing. And that is why I cannot stand the term "No Kill" shelters."

Animal shelter professionals from coast-to-coast applauded in agreement, but more disturbing is the nation's "euthanasia" expert professing an Orwellian logic: killing is not killing, killing is kindness. And when you deny all responsibility, the impetus to change your own behavior disappears."

Nathan Winograd will be in Toronto on April 14th. Do not miss this opportunity to be truly inspired. Learn how to build a no kill community, put lives first and help save our shelter animals. Register for the one day only event now by calling 416-726-8895 or by visiting ORA at http://www.ora-animalsrescue.org/upcomingevents.html.

ORA in the News: Clarifying Our Position

Claudia Vecchio, 3/26/12
Founder of ORA

It is disconcerting and reprehensible that certain members of the mainstream media are more concerned with sensationalism and divulging their personal opinions than with ensuring the veracity of their message and objectively informing the public.

On Thursday, March 22, 2012, I received a call from an ORA member informing me that Peter Worthington of the Toronto Sun had published an article about ORA. At first, I was pleased, thinking that the article publicized our upcoming Nathan Winograd event. “No,” corrected the caller, “the article is about ORA and the Toronto Humane Society.” Reading the article, I became very upset. How could Peter Worthington have the audacity to attribute to ORA statements we have never made? I immediately called Peter Worthington to ask for an explanation. In the article, Peter Worthington writes that ORA considers the THS a kill shelter. Worthington, while recognizing that we never made such a statement and that in fact we never mentioned the THS at all, alleged that according to the no kill principle we advocate, the THS is a kill shelter because they put down more than 10% of the animals they receive. This is quite a stretch and I will not hesitate to call it for what it is: pure and simple journalistic dishonesty.

I found out later on that Worthington was previously a board member of the former Toronto Humane Society and that he has a grudge toward the new administration. The article about The Nathan Winograd event was used for a personal attack against the THS fraudulently representing ORA as the source of the attack.

ORA would never have made any representation about the THS. We know that they are in the process of establishing a spay and neuter facility that will open in the summer of 2012, which is obviously a laudable initiative. We were pleased to see the executives and board members attend ORA’s Bill Bruce event on September 30, 2011. The fact that they are registered to attend ORA’s Nathan Winograd lecture and workshop coming up on April 14, 2012, clearly indicates their willingness to keep up-to-date on progressive programs for shelter animals.

Our grievance with some representatives of the media was exacerbated the following day. In the early afternoon of Friday, March 23, we received a phone call from a CFRB radio producer asking if we were available for an interview in approximately 20 minutes. I was working on an offer for one my listings (real estate is my full time occupation of 24 years), so I did not have a radio close by to check which CFRB program was being aired at that time. When they called us back just before the interview’s scheduled time, they told us that the discussion would be about the Peter Worthington article and our position on the THS. I explained the issues and misrepresentations in the article and at that point, they told us that the radio interview was no longer needed. Obviously they were in search of sensationalism, not the truth. They only wanted to hear from us when they thought we were the origin of the attack against the THS. I thought this was unacceptable and called in to the radio station to make our statement on the air, but I was told that they could not fit me in because they were wrapping up the segment. After requesting and listening to a recording of the segment, I realized that the show’s host, Jim Richards, although he was challenging the THS caller on the no kill compliance, failed to mention the Nathan Winograd event that was the starting point for Peter Worthington’s article.

So much for informing the public and researching the truth! The Nathan Winograd event that should have been the focus of the media attention instead became a pretext for publicizing personal disputes.

In reality the Nathan Winograd event represents an amazing opportunity for all of the stakeholders: shelters and pounds directors and staff, rescues, animal advocates, politicians and the animal caring community, to learn and work together towards implementing life saving programs for shelter animals.

For more information, please visit ORA's Upcoming Events.

In Loving Memory of Oksana

Claudia Vecchio, 2/10/12

Founder of ORA

This evening, February 10, 2012, at 9:50 pm, our dear Oksana passed away. Heartbroken as I am, I must nevertheless continue caring for the many cats here at the sanctuary (my residence, that has been transformed into an animal sanctuary for the un-adoptables). We do not have the luxury to stop working to grieve over Oksana’s passing, so I thought that the best homage to our Oksana while helping to placate our pain was to commemorate her on this page.

Oksana was truly a special cat. Naturally all cats are wonderful and special, but Oksana was special in a different way. When she came to us, Oksana was the type of cat that pounds do not hesitate for a moment to kill: a black (therefore less likely adoptable), adult, unspayed cat with behavioural problems.

Oksana was found in the middle of the winter of 2002 in front of a portable used as the headquarters of Wild Care, a wildlife rehabilitation center that unfortunately has since closed its doors for lack of funds. Oksana had been abandoned in a red carrier with an open can of tuna. Corinne, one of ORA's co-founders, used to religiously volunteer for Wild Care every Sunday for an intense four-hour shift of cleaning and feeding wild animals. That particular Sunday, as soon as Corinne appeared at the door of the portable to get her assignments for the day, she was handed the red carrier with Oksana in it.

ORA had not yet been founded at the time, and Corinne was naturally considered the most appropriate candidate to care for Oksana. It soon appeared that Oksana had suffered from major trauma and/or abuse. She was terrified of human hands. We could not even place food in front of her without being fiercely attacked. But we did not consider even for a second to “euthanize” Oksana. We just felt terribly sorry for her, wondering what ordeal she might have endured to be so terrified of human hands. We learned to feed her wearing skiing gloves. After months of care and loving words, Oksana came to understand that she could start trusting us. Oksana started feeling more comfortable in our house although adopting her out was not an option as she would still react with aggression to sudden movements of our hand. Oksana also learned to accept the many felines coming and going. She did not establish friendship with any of them and regarded them as competitors for our attention, but she learned to tolerate them.

Then in 2008 Oksana was diagnosed with breast cancer. A biopsy identified the cancer as being of a particular aggressive type, but we persuaded the reluctant vet to perform a mastectomy. The vet cautioned us that the cancer could return. It did in fact return two years after the surgery and since then it has continually grown larger. However with holistic remedies, large administration of vitamins and supplements and local application of ointments, Oksana was able to keep the cancer at bay for another two years, living, against any forecast, well for four years even after cancer diagnosis and surgery. It is astonishing that the same Oksana who did not even allow us to place food in front of her when first she arrived here, swallowed then, every day, for four years, without even a bit of resistance, all of the pills that I administered to her. She allowed me to place her upside down on my lap to spread the different holistic unguents on her tumors. This procedure was always followed by a brief session of pats and kisses and I will never forget the grateful look in Oksana’s eyes. It is like she understood that I was trying to do my very best to help her to live. And Oksana fought with me to defeat her cancer, but we both failed, although our tacit collaboration prolonged Oxsana’s life for four more years.

At midday today, Oxsana ate half a can of A/D (highly caloric prescription diet food) and this afternoon she ate a bit more food and some treats and as usual she accepted the administration of vitamins and supplements. At 9:30 pm, I saw her sitting on my bed. I gave her a big kiss, then I went downstairs to replenish some cat dishes with new food. When I arrived upstairs, a few minutes later, Oksana was laying down, breathing heavily. I took her in my arms to help her feel more comfortable for a while, but then she suddenly passed away. Our Oksana is no longer with us.

Animals always teach us something if we are perceptive to learn. Oksana’s death, happening now while we are organizing the Nathan Winograd event, while we are trying to raise awareness amongst the general public about the horrors of thousands of animals being killed in pounds every year in the GTA is like a validation of our assertions: Oksana had ten great years with us because we did not give in to clichés. She was entitled to her life and we respected her right to live. Nobody has the right to terminate a life under any excuse whatsoever. So called “vicious cats” are made that way by humans and with human love they can become the most docile and lovable animals.

We will miss you tremendously, dear Oksana. We are glad and honoured that you came into our lives and that we had the privilege to care for you. You have taught us so much. I will miss the loving look of gratitude in your eyes when I was caring for you. Have a good time on the other side of Rainbow Bridge and befriend some kitties there until we can be reunited again.

Visit Oksana on ORA's Memoriam Page

Light a Candle for Oksana

ORA historic event: Nathan Winograd "Building a No-Kill Community"

Nathan Winograd, the spokesperson for the No-Kill Movement in the United States, has been invited by ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals to lecture in Toronto on April 14. ORA has rescued hundreds of animals in the 10 years we have been in operation, but every year thousands of cats and dogs are killed in Toronto pounds for no reason other than the unwillingness of pound directors and staff to implement life saving alternatives.

In Toronto pounds, the rate of animal killing is horrifically high. In 2010, Toronto Animal Services has killed over 58% of the cats they have received: 5,446 cats have been outrageously killed by Toronto Animal Services in 2010 alone (official data). Other pounds in the Greater Toronto Area kill an even higher rate of companion animals.

Pound directors and staff often invoke "lack of funds" as an excuse for the killing. In reality it is not money that is needed, but good will. They miss the compassion needed to implement alternative measure to killing, such as Trap Neuter and Return for feral cats; aggressive adoption on and off site; working with rescues and the community; promoting volunteerism; implementing low cost spay and neuter programs.

Nathan Winograd has proven that killing animals is unnecessary. He has transformed high-kills pounds in San Francisco, New York and even in rural parts of the States overnight into no-kill shelters.

That is why we have invited Nathan Winograd to Toronto. ORA cannot save the thousands of cats that end in city pounds as we operate without staff, we do not even have a building and no public funding. We operate on a shoe string budget. Any cat in our care cost us $1.40 a day against the preposterous $20 to $30 cost of keeping a cat in a city pounds (that is before killing them)!!! We are sickened by this continued slaughter of cats and dogs and we want to see it come to an end.

Directors of city pounds and Toronto city councillors will attend the Nathan Winograd event and we hope that it will contribute towards changing the fate of the many thousands of poor defenseless animals whose lives are violently ended for no reason, year after year. Nobody should be allowed to do that. We cannot allow it to continue.

Let's Stop the Killing. Join the No-Kill Revolution, and attend the Nathan Winograd event. We have the power to make things change by putting pressure on the decision makers, politicians and administrators. They are paid with taxpayer money, they are accountable to us. We must be informed in order to keep up the pressure to implement alternative solutions to the killing.

This is a very enlightening event. Nathan Winograd, a former criminal prosecutor and attorney, is a very knowledgeable and very sought after speaker lecturing all over the United States. We are very proud to have him in Toronto on April 14!

Nathan Winograd in Toronto for the first time.

"Building a No-Kill Community"

Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Hall, Room 714

Address: 222 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto ON M5V 2W6 Canada

Time: 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Registration starts at 2:15 pm

Book signing event will follow: Nathan's award winning books "Redemption" and "Irreconcilable Differences" will be for sale and he will autograph them at the event.

Redemption has become the Bible of the No-Kill Movement,

A leadership workshop will take place in the evening from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

Tickets are $35.00 for the seminar only, or $50.00 to attend both the seminar and the leadership workshop. Advance sale only. Limited seating. Call 416 726 5762 or 416 726 8895 to purchase your ticket(s) or buy online through Paypal at www.orarescue.org,

Many thanks on behalf of our feline and canine friends whose lives we are working to save,

Claudia Vecchio
Volunteer Chairperson
ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals
www.orarescue.org
Tel: 416 726 5762

Join the No-Kill Revolution: Nathan Winograd in Toronto, April 14, 2012! Event proudly hosted by ORA.

In our vision of a Toronto Model inspired by care, compassion and respect for animals, we have invited the North American champion of the No Kill Movement to Toronto.

At ORA, we do not have the power alone to change what is happening in pounds and shelters in Ontario, but we hope that this event, along with the recent Bill Bruce’s event, will demonstrate to the public and to the people vested with decision making power that killing companion animals is morally unacceptable, costly and unnecessary. Animals have the right to live! No more killing!

About Nathan Winograd:

Nathan J. Winograd is the director of the national No Kill Advocacy Center. He is a graduate of Stanford Law School and a former criminal prosecutor and attorney who has held a variety of leadership positions including director of operations for the San Francisco SPCA and executive director of the Tompkins County SPCA, two of the most successful shelters in the nation. He has spoken nationally and internationally on animal sheltering issues, has written animal protection legislation at the state and national level, has created successful No Kill programs in both urban and rural communities, and has consulted with a wide range of animal protection groups including some of the largest and best known in the nation. Nathan is the author of three books, Redemption, Irreconcilable Differences, and All American Vegan (co-written with his wife, Jennifer). Redemption won five national book awards and redefined the animal protection movement in the United States.

"Bow WOW! This extraordinary pet-loving former attorney is out to make the world safe for homeless animals—one region at a time.” – Best of the Best, Metropolitan Home

“Millions of healthy animals are [killed] in shelters every year. Nathan Winograd wants that reduced to zero… Winograd is helping to save thousands, even millions.” –Reader’s Digest

“ ‘In 2003, the Tompkins County SPCA saved 100% of all healthy, friendly dogs and cats, 100% of treatable sick and injured animals, and 100% of feral cats. Overall, 93% of dogs and cats were saved’…. This amazing result was accomplished by an “open-door” agency that also contracts to perform animal control. Credit for saving so many cat and dog lives rests squarely on the shoulders of Nathan Winograd.” – The No Kill Nation

“The world owes much to those rare individuals who see things differently – and who then devote themselves to vindicating their maverick conclusions.” – The Bark

Nathan Winograd's will autograph his acclaimed books “Redemption: The Myth of Pet Overpopulation & The No Kill Revolution in America“ and “Irreconcilable Differences: The Battle for the Heart and Soul of America’s Animal Shelters,“ on sale at the event.

Nathan Winograd in Toronto for the first time,

"Building a No-Kill Community" on April 14, 2012.

Time: 4:00pm to 7:30pm. Registration begins at 3:15pm.

Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Hall, Room 714, on 222 Bremner Boulevard.

This is a fate changing event for the animals! A must attend for animal advocates, animal rescues and all animal caring people!

To inquire about exciting sponsorship opportunities, please contact ORA at 416-726-8895 or email info@ora-animalsrescue.org.

Tickets are $35.00. Advance sale only. Limited seating. Register for this exceptional event and buy your tickets NOW by clicking on the "Buy Tickets Online Now!" button below. Consider adding a donation to help with the costs of the event and/or to help ORA to care for neglected, abused or abandoned animals.

Thank you! We look forward to seeing you at this outstanding event on April 14th!

ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals

http://orarescue.org

ORA on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/ORArescue

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http://www.twitter.com/ORA_Rescue

ORA on Animal Connection

http://animalconnection.ning.com/profile/ORA

Sound Off with No Kill York Region's Leanne Tucker

The issues faced by Hamilton and their animal control are not unique, not in Ontario, not in Canada, and not in North America - nor are the solutions. Numerous communities around the world have faced the same problems and overcome them by implementing the 11 essential steps of the No Kill Equation*:

Feral Cat TNR Program
High-Volume, Low-Cost Spay/Neuter
Rescue Groups
Foster Care
Comprehensive Adoption Programs
Pet Retention
Medical and Behavior Rehabilitation
Public Relations/Community Involvement
Volunteers
Proactive Redemptions
A Compassionate Director

For example, Washoe County Regional Animal Services and their partner Nevada Humane Society, save in excess of 90% of the 15,000 cats and dogs they take in each year. Calgary Animal Control is also doing an amazing job of educating their residents and returning lost pets. In recent years they returned 88% of the dogs they picked up and 44% of cats. Compare that to the rates in Ontario which are closer to 40% for dogs and 5% for cats.

Animal Ark in Minnesota has a full service TNR program that spays/neuters, vaccinates and treats each cat for fleas, etc... for $35/cat which is less then it would cost their local shelter to kill the cats. Trap-Neuter-Return is the ONLY program that has been successfully documented to save the lives of feral cats, gradually reduce the number of feral cats in colonies to extinction, and ensure the feral cats have the best quality of life. As for the argument that feral cats kill too many birds-humans and their ever encroaching development on bird habitat kill more birds then ferals ever will. Should we "humanely" kill humans? If we could ask feral cats whether they'd rather be killed at animal control or fending for themselves what do you honestly think their response would be? Ideally there would be no feral cat colonies but the reality right now is that there are thousands of ferals and we have been picking them up and killing them at shelters for years and it just isn't working for anyone.

According to Howard Elliott at TheSpec.com, in 2009 Hamilton Animal Control took in 1570 dogs and euthanized 167 (11%). During that period they took in 5,501 cats and "euthanized" 3,098 (56%). Obviously, Hamilton has proven year after year that killing these cats is not the solution and never will be. The definition of insanity is to continue doing the same thing you have always done and expect different results. Don't believe the nonsense that the OSPCA and other so called animal welfare groups keep spouting that there is an animal overpopulation problem and that it is the fault of the irresponsible public. The fault lies with those who refuse to change how our shelters and animal controls are operating. You can bet your bottom dollar that the public in Hamilton are no more irresponsible and no less caring then those in Washoe County.

I volunteer at an animal control and I volunteered at the OSPCA for 8+ years so don't get the impression that I am anti-staff. I just want to see reform for all types of sheltering in Ontario. Volunteers cost nothing, rescue groups cost nothing, and foster care costs nothing. Volunteers are essential to implementing all components of the No Kill Equation.

Not persuaded?

Here is a great article about feral cats that addresses the issues: http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/pdf/feralcatissue_000.pdf.

and enclosed below are several excellent resources about The No Kill Equation:

*The 11 Essential and Only Proven Steps to saving all healthy/treatable companion animals:
http://www.nokilladvocacycente​r.org/nokillequation.html

10 Steps To Adopting Your Way Out Of Killing:
http://www.nokilladvocacycente​r.org/documents/adoptions_000.​pdf

Model companion animal legislation (urge your local municipality and the province to adopt) :
http://www.nokilladvocacycente​r.org/capa.html

Nevada Humane Society partners with Washoe County Animal Services to save in excess of 90% of the companion animals they take in annually. Here is how they did it:
http://www.nevadahumanesociety​.org/pdf/HowWeDidIt11-08.pdf

And much, much more re: feral cats and reforming animal control at:
http://www.nokilladvocacycente​r.org/index.html

Shelters and animal controls that adopt only parts of the No Kill Equation fail and never reach the goal. The only shelters that have reached the goal of saving all the healthy and/or treatable animals (>90%) embraced all 11 parts of the equation.

("Could Hamilton be the next Washoe County?," a compilation of comments by No Kill York Region's Leanne Tucker)

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Last Sound Off Feature, by Jack Clark:
http://ora-rescue.blogspot.com/2011/07/sound-off-with-guest-advocate-jack.html

First Sound Off Feature, by Lillian Szilagy:
http://ora-rescue.blogspot.com/2011/05/sound-off-with-guest-advocate-lillian.html

Next Peaceful Rally Date: Saturday, July 30, 2011
Time: 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Location: Hamilton City Hall, 71 Main St W, Hamilton, ON CANADA

Contact: stopthekillings@groups.facebook.com
Website: http://www.facebook.com/groups/stopthekillings