ORA Honours Treena and Britain Day on April 29th

Claudia Vecchio, 4/29/12

Founder of ORA

On Friday, April 29th, 2011, Treena and Britain were killed at the Hamilton Animal Control (HAC).

Tuesdays and Fridays are killing days at the HAC. Every Tuesday and Friday morning before the pound opens, cats marked for killing are administered horse sedatives and then put down at an average rate of over 20 at a time. Treena and Britain were two of the 2,231 cats killed by the Hamilton Animal Control in 2011.What makes the case of Treena and Britain different?

We do not even have a picture of Treena or Britain. We do not know their story. Were they someone’s beloved pet who was allowed to roam outside and for that reason were they picked up by the pounds staff as no free roaming cats is allowed in the city of Hamilton? Were they surrendered by their owners who thought the pound would have adopted them out? Were they missed by their caregivers who probably just thought they had strayed away and gotten lost, then never thought to contact the pound or never had the time to visit the pound during their short opening hours?

The reality for cats entering Hamilton's Animal Control facility is that there are no second chances. The Hamilton Animal Control is not open for public adoptions and the only possibility for an animal to escape from death is either to be saved by a “recognized rescue” (that means a rescue who does not question the actions of the HAC) or for a few purebreds or especially attractive ones to be handpicked by the Hamilton Burlington SPCA that occupy the front of the building. Interestingly, against all evidence to the otherwise, the Hamilton Burlington SPCA proclaims to be No Kill, while its chair is the vet who, twice a week, does the killing himself at the back of the building at the HAC.

Last year on April 28th, local rescue groups collaborated as usual to save all of the cats marked urgent so we expected that the killing would have been cancelled April 29th. For reasons unbeknownst to us, (and note that what happens at the HAC stays at the HAC, absolute secrecy, even though the staff are just civil servants paid with taxpayers’ money and therefore accountable for their actions), one staff member independently decided, after the pound had closed, to mark Treena and Britain for death. Before the pound opened on April 29th and without, therefore, the possibility for any rescue to know in time to save them, Treena and Britain were killed by the vet (that is, the chair of the Hamilton Burlington SPCA).

Similar episodes, we were told by trusted sources, have happened before, but this is the first time that we at ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals were made aware. We found the whole situation absolutely heartbreaking and disgusting - and we decided to take action.

ORA started two online petitions on Causes and Care2. We called on fellow animal advocates for help and together, we organized rallies to speak up against the murderous modus operandi of the HAC. Treena and Britain’s death and what followed made us realize that while we at ORA have rescued hundreds of animals since our founding in 2002, we must also consider the bigger picture: the thousands of animals we cannot save directly, those unfortunate beings whose lives often end so violently in shelters and pounds. We have to ensure that they, too, can be saved. With vision in mind, ORA invited Bill Bruce to Toronto on September 30th, 2011, and more recently, Nathan Winograd on April 14th, to share their expert knowledge and first-hand experience helping to save the lives of shelter animals.

Animal advocates and animal caring people who attended these seminars have arrived at the realization that NO-KILL is neither an illusion or a dream; it is something that can easily be put into practice. It has been done in so many places where more and more pounds and shelters are embracing NO KILL. No Kill advocates in Toronto and Southern Ontario are now organizing and actively working towards the triumph of the No Kill revolution. There is no going back.

So while we commemorate Treena and Britain’s murder this year in the name of the many thousands of companion animals senselessly, pitilessly and unnecessarily killed every year in pounds in Toronto and in the Greater Toronto Area, we remain optimistic about the future. Treena and Britain are like the “unknown soldiers” who died in our ongoing fight to stop the killing.

Treena and Britain, we deplore the violence that has been committed against you! You will always have a special place in our hearts and we will think of you every time we encounter an obstacle or experience a temporary setback in our mission. You will be our inspiration to remain steadfast, and to see our No Kill efforts through to the very end. All shelter animals have the right to live. No More Killing!

Read more about the cause inspired by Treena and Britain at the HAC-STK Blog by ORA Volunteers.

ORA: Post-Rally 2 Thank You

Photographer Suzanne Kelly

Huge thanks to ORA volunteers and friends, HAC-STK administrators and members, and everyone who has pitched in and worked so hard to prepare for Saturday's Rally! Special thanks as well to those of you who came out to protest and support our second rally effort for the animals at the Hamilton Animal Control.

Here is how it all went down:

Jack Clark: "Fantastic 2nd Rally yesterday! More and more caring animal lovers of Hamilton are now joining us for reform of their animal control killing policies. Must've been over a hundred down at Jacksons Square later that afternoon! Many, many Hamiltonians signed our petition and helped distribute our flyers! Some even have occasional contact with the Mayor and plan on speaking to him about the HAC policies. :) We must keep spreading the word every chance we get, animal lovers are everywhere! Big thanks to those who are spreading the word daily, to all those who gladly signed the petition and to the tireless efforts of the relentless group of people who care enough to stand up and speak for EVERY animal inside this building! Looking forward to the next great Rally despite the negative narrow-minded views of some who refer to all these caring passionate people as 'over-the-top-jackasses.' ;) Come join us for this much needed exposure and greatly appreciated efforts to change policies! ALL animals deserve a 2nd chance at life! See ya there!"

Sandra Dobson Lovell: "I thought the rally was very successful. We were a small but enthusiastic group and a lot of people were educated about the HAC. I am looking forward to the next one and hope more people can make it."

Eva McDowell: "Thanks to all who made it to the Rally in spite of the QEW/403 being closed. Special thanks to the people of Hamilton who joined us this time. None of the people we spoke to knew about the situation at Hamilton Animal Control and all were very shocked that they don't allow public adoptions and kill 3000 animals every year. Many were eager to sign the petitions. Looking forward to the next one in about a month's time."

Claudia Vecchio: "Yesterday's rally was a great success! Hundreds of people stopped by, appalled to find out that so many animals are being killed, and that the HAC is not even open for adoptions. We heard a lot of complaints from the public about the HAC. Passers-by gave rally attendees as much information in return as we gave them. Many signatures have been added to our petition. One thing is very clear: Hamilton residents demand low cost spay and neuter, and they do NOT want to see their tax dollars being spent on killing animals."

Press:
http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/571708--cat-lovers-take-to-the-streets-again
http://www.lifewithcats.tv/2011/08/02/advocates-rally-to-end-high-kill-rates-at-ontario-shelter/
http://www.facebook.com/HerbivoresAnimalFrequency

Coming up next:
Rally 3 - August 27
Hamilton Council Meeting - September 20
Bill Bruce Lecture - September 30
Nathan Winograd Presentation - April 14

Why are we demonstrating in front of Hamilton's City Hall tomorrow?

Our past rally and petitions seem to have already produced some positive results: aeration at the Hamilton Animal Control has been improved, and several “scheduled killing days” have been cancelled. Tomorrow, we rally again!

Undoubtedly, pound managers have become complacent about the number of animals they kill each year. They often blame the public for being irresponsible pet owners, not sterilizing their pets and abandoning them as unwanted objects.

Though the public is certainly not free from blame, when we simply place the responsibility elsewhere, we fail to see the opportunities for improvements and change. Pointing the finger to other culprits may help a conscience cope with the killing of thousands of animals, but it precludes compassionate, necessary change.

Without denying the serious problem of irresponsible pet owners, animal pound decision makers can act to reject the status quo. They can refuse to continue the massive killing of animals and implement life-saving alternatives. Many pounds and shelters in North America have successfully embraced No-Kill options, and we, too, can adopt and implement these models. Innovative shelters are more than willing to share the recipes of their success with those who want to embrace positive change.

Perhaps the most prominent example here in Canada can be found in the accomplishments of Bill Bruce and his team at the Calgary Animal Control. Bill Bruce is the Director of Animal Services and Bylaws in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. When he took over a struggling animal shelter for a city with over one million residents, he developed and implemented a reform program which lead to phenomenal success in a short period of time. Calgary now has no limit by-laws and no breed-specific legislations, boasts high licensing compliance rates for both dogs and cats, returns the majority of lost pets to owners, and has substantially lower euthanasia rates than any other major pound in Canada.

Mr. Bruce will be in Toronto on September 30th, 2011, to lecture, providing proven examples and a wealth of information to animal caring politicians, pound managers, advocates and anyone willing to participate in actively helping to stop this complacent killing of animals. This ongoing practice is repugnant, ineffective, and beneath the morals and character of our community.

That is why we are demonstrating tomorrow in Hamilton: to convince authorities and local pound decision makers to stop the routine and unnecessary killing of thousands of animals each year, and to move toward the workable no-kill alternatives using Calgary’s model as a starting point of reference.

We are also rallying in memory of the many animals whose lives were cruelly ended at the HAC in the last decade, including innocent creatures heartlessly abandoned by their owners and wandering strays who never knew the comfort of a home or regular meals, lacking the care and protection of someone who might could have loved them.

There was little hope for these unfortunates, because the Hamilton Animal Control is not open to public adoptions. Nobody came for 30,000 to 50,000 cats and dogs routinely and unceremoniously disposed of in the last decade. We are rallying to ensure that this senseless cycle will become only a sad memory of the past, and that animals arriving at the HAC in future will be given a chance at life and happiness.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good [people] to do nothing," Edmund Burke

Please read our petition at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ora-project-accountability-now/ to see the real, concrete alternatives to killing that we have proposed. We ask the decision makers to open their minds and their hearts. Our actions, petitions, and rallies are aimed at creating change for the benefit of animals and our community. Life is sacred, and there is no need to continue throwing the lives of so many animals away. Please join us tomorrow!

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

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ORA Event Invitation: Calgary’s Bill Bruce brings his shelter reform expertise to the Intercontinental Hotel at 220 Bloor St. W., Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1T8, on Friday, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011, at 7:00 PM.

Tickets are $11.30 (tax incl)
Advance Sale Only - Call 416-726-5762

Reminder: 7/30 Rally about the High-Kill Hamilton Animal Control

HAMILTON AND THE GREATER TORONTO AREA –– On Saturday, July 30th, volunteers from ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals and members of the “Hamilton Animal Control - Stop the Killings” (HAC-STK) Group will be holding a second peaceful demonstration from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in front of Hamilton's City Hall on 71 Main St W in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

"In the past little while, the number of animals being saved has increased." says Eva McDowell. "I really believe that this is in part due to more people now being aware of the dire situation at HAC - as we have kept it in the forefront for the past few months. Many have commented with surprise that kill days had been cancelled even in Kitten Season. Can you imagine what could happen if the public are allowed to adopt and the available animals are promoted in Hamilton?"

Yes we can, so please take action with us once more this Saturday and stand up for the animals still being killed week to week at the Hamilton Animal Control. Everyone is welcome to attend.

RALLY DATE: Saturday, July 30, 2011
LOCATION: Hamilton City Hall, 71 Main St W (off Bay St), Hamilton Ontario L8P 4Y5 Canada
TIME: 11:30 am - 3:30 pm

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About the Hamilton Animal Control:
Hamilton Animal Control comes under the jurisdiction of the Planning and Economic Development Department of the City of Hamilton, and their division is "The Parking and By-Law Services Division.” One section of this group is the Animal Control Section which is responsible for the issuance of animal licences, lost and found animal reporting services, animal education, receipt and impounding of stray animals that have been confined, responding to service requests respecting injured or dead wildlife and when necessary, enforcement under the Dog Licensing and Control By-law and various Animal Control by-laws. Animal Control also has two private contractors that service the Flamborough and Glanbrook communities.

About the “Hamilton Animal Control - Stop the Killings” Group:
Founded in 2008 by Ken Wood and Terry Chapman Hutchison, the “Hamilton Animal Control - Stop the Killings” (HAC-STK) Group is an open public forum on Facebook dedicated to saving more animal lives and working towards positive, long-term changes at the Hamilton Animal Control/Hamilton Burlington SPCA. Concerned residents, rescuers and activists are invited to gather here to connect with like minds, post relevant news, initiate action, debate shelter reform, and share advocacy ideas.

About ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals:
Founded on October 2, 2002, by Claudia Vecchio and Corinne Thaw, ORA — Organization for the Rescue of Animals is a registered charitable organization promoting the humane treatment of animals and the preservation of Wildlife. ORA is operating in and around the Greater Toronto Area, working for the well-being and protection of all animals. ORA's animal rescues thrive within a network of foster homes until they are adopted out into forever loving homes. 100% volunteer run, with zero government funding and no shelter to speak of, ORA relies solely upon the supportive generosity of members and donors to fund its programs and rescue operations.

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For More Information:
Contact ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals at 416-726-5762 and orarescue@gmail.com, OR “Hamilton Animal Control - Stop the Killings” at stopthekillings.hac@gmail.com.

Sound On with Guest Advocate, Lillian Szilagy: "Saved from Euthanasia" Trilogy

http://youtu.be/3A3E6AFmpxk
http://youtu.be/yMlJrWxZa10
http://youtu.be/jRSzpYLNA20

Please, stop the madness going on at Hamilton Animal Control. Please ask them to open the shelter to public adoptions and stop killing wonderful, adoptable cats and kittens, and vet the ones they bring into the shelter so they do not suffer for days before being put to sleep. Please watch this video and open your hearts and voices and speak up against this abuse. This is happening in Ontario, Canada, and someone needs to stop this NOW before more kittens and cats are killed without being given a chance for adoptions.

Share my videos with everyone you know to get the word out there that this mass killing is happening every week in Canada.

("Saved from Euthanasia - Crystal's Story," a video trilogy by Lillian Szilagy, member of the HAC-STK group on Facebook)

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Join the HAC-STK group on Facebook: http://www.doiop.com/hac-stk
Check out ORA's Volunteer Blog for the HAC-STK: http://hac-stk.blogspot.com

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

ORA for the HAC-STK: A Second Call to Action - Rally in Two Weeks' Time!

There is a way to save the lives of thousands of animals who are being killed every year at the Hamilton Animal Control, but we need your attention, and we need your help. Apathy and irresponsibility have allowed the growth of homeless animal populations to continue unabated, but the matter-of-fact destruction of life, carried out by shelters that were once considered recovery facilities and adoption headquarters, will never solve the problem. What can solve the problem is compassionate ACTION.

To this end, ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals is working hard with the Hamilton Animal Control-Stop the Killings (HAC-STK) group and other concerned animal affiliates to support the following initiatives:

-Communicating with fellow residents, rescuers, animal advocates, activists, concerned individuals, City Council and the media to help elevate general awareness of the killings of thousands of animals that continue to take place every year at the notoriously high-kill Hamilton Animal Control. It doesn’t have to be this way!
-Educating the public about alternative solutions to killing such as low cost spaying and neutering, massive trap neuter and return systems, feral cat programs, community based network support programs, and more. Homeless pets are the victims of a problem. We want to solve the problem, not punish the victims.
-Initiating community action campaigns, petitions and peaceful rallies to generate public pressure for the life-saving changes mentioned above. If we make our voices heard, we can make a difference.

Our mission is to advocate together for improved policies and practices now to end the killings at the HAC sooner, rather than later. We collectively seek to make high volume, low cost pet sterilizations available not just to qualifying low income residents at the Hamilton Burlington SPCA, but to the general public as well. We remind the City of Hamilton to enact overdue changes in public policy so that successfully proven trap neuter and return (TNR) programs can become one of the officially sanctioned approaches to homeless pet management. We continually support and promote humane initiatives such as extending the shelter facility’s opening hours to encourage a higher percentage of owner retrievals, opening up the pound to the public and to all rescue groups for adoptions, increasing the pet limit by-law of only two animals per household, and more.

Without action from the people we know who care about animals out there, a blameless and homeless animal population will only continue to breed unchecked, growing exponentially and continually suffering. If nothing is done, more cats will be found living in unmanaged colonies and public tolerance of homeless cats will decrease still further, and pressure on the Hamilton Animal Control and the Hamilton area community will only increase.

Thousands of cats and hundreds of dogs will continue to be picked up and exterminated every year, sentenced to death and killed week to week as long as the problem persists.

Are you really okay with the way things are at the Hamilton Animal Control?

If you are not, then join us in taking action! We can reduce this population of unwanted animals over the long term, and we can do it humanely. Spread the word to the people you know who love animals, and prepare to rally with us on July 30th. Together, we can help shape a living future for the thousands of animal lives still hanging in the balance at the Hamilton Animal Control.

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.doiop.com/hac-stk
ORA Volunteer Blog for the HAC-STK: http://hac-stk.blogspot.com

Credit: CHS

Sound Off with Guest Advocate, Jack Clark

Isn't it ironic
that it is rescues and individuals who SAVE these doomed animals, spend thousands of their own money and NEVER kill any animals? The ONLY ones that KILL animals are the very same organizations that get PAID to do so. What's wrong with this picture!

And
what all those feline-hating respondents to our first Rally report fail to realize is that it's not just so-called stray or nuisance wild cats getting cruelly killed, it’s lost loved cats and loved dogs, too! Along with newborns, too! Wonder how they feel about canines in Hamilton? Can you imagine how much suffering is inflicted on those being swiftly heartstuck and also those poor animals witnessing and hearing it! Imagine the horrors inside there on the mornings when the vet sticks 83 cats and 7 dogs (Friday, June 24, 2011) before they even open!!!! Must be a mere 1 or 2 minutes for each animal, who is then left in the cage bleeding in agony ‘til death!!!

According to past info,
@6000 cats were killed by HAC in 2007. Now that figure is down to less than 3000 just by implementing ONE (allowing some rescues) of the many, many programs now being proposed for change! Imagine how many more can be saved by implementing more of these life saving programs! Please share your voices and help make this happen!

The Hamilton Burlington SPCA
apparently only has 'space' for 22 cats or kittens out front just happily waiting 'forever' til adoption. While the Animal Control out back may be routinely stacked up with well over 100 just waiting for either a miracle rescue or Cruel Death in only '72 hrs'! OSPCA has 'branches' that share (a bit) in their winfalls of cash. The 'affilliates' are on their own to garner their own cash. HBSPCA is an 'affilliate' getting no share of the big pie :) and actually PAY the OSPCA a yearly fee for the *privilege* of affilliation (and learn all the tricks of the trade of course). As for the Ospca, I personally wouldn't use the term 'wonderful' to describe this organization. For an educational look into their history visit http://www.ospcatruth.com...

Unless
changes are made it won't be long before the killings are done 4 times a week, and then 5, and then? This continual and ever increasing needless and CRUELLY performed killing of animals also speaks volumes to me of the Ethics and Priorities of vets who perform these cruel deeds without hesitation or intervention for changes. What ever happened to the Code of Ethics? If not Professional, then perhaps Moral? This is just so sad.

Rumor
has it the City of Hamilton pays a vet @$70 for each animal that it chooses to kill every 2 or 3 days per week in a cruel manner, almost 3000 last year, inside their Animal Control facility, which is located in the back of the same building as the SPCA, and this vet is also on the Board of Directors for Hamilton/Burlington SPCA.

Unfortunately
the Veterinary profession and the Ospca are both self-governed, self-regulated organizations free to set their own mandates and protocols, so it's up to us, the animal loving public, to educate ourselves on the many solutions to all these problems and demand changes at all levels of animal welfare. We're starting with changing Animal Control Shelter policies of needlessly killing healthy adoptable animals, by recommending the PROVEN solutions outlined in Nathan Winograd (http://bit.ly/48oU5)’s book Redemption (http://bit.ly/rq4DhG) which details all these problems and how to fix them. Join us at the HAC-STK group page, http://www.doiop.com/hac-stk, and at the next Rally on Saturday, July 30th, for much needed change to reduce the needless killings and SAVE animals, not KILL.

Every person
I spoke to in their cars (and I spoke to LOTS!) at the Rally on Saturday, June 25th, were truly shocked to learn about their Animal Control policies and most used the terms 'cruel' and 'inhumane' after learning. Hope the discussions continue and word spreads to many others in Hamilton! It was a good day! Thanks to all who came and joined this first Rally!

Exposure
Exposure Exposure by everyone WILL bring about change!

PLEASE
Join us and speak up for changes! More Exposure! Since our first rally, a rescuer has stated that the shelter has at least added an air conditioner and some huge fans for those poor animals, and the usual KILLING was cancelled last Friday (July 1, 2011)! Yaaayyy! Let's get the City to make some positive changes now to also help the animals! It has been far too many years. The animals have been dying waiting for this chance at life... they ALL deserve our help!

("Why I don't sleep well at nights," a compilation of comments by the HAC-STK's Jack Clark)

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Last 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.doiop.com/hac-stk

Thank you: Gord Macey, Ken Mann, Howard Elliott, Danielle Wong, and the Olver's Family.

Special thanks to The Toronto Pet Daily, Hamilton's AM900 CHML and their sister stations AM980 CKNW and Vinyl 95.3, The Hamilton Spectator and The Catkin Willow for helping us to get the word out about Saturday's Rally for the animals at the Hamilton Animal Control.

Gord Macey, The Toronto Pet Daily:

http://www.torontopetdaily.com/2011/06/rally-to-be-held-this-saturday-in.html

Ken Mann, AM900 CHML:

http://www.900chml.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocalGeneral/Story.aspx?ID=1446958

Howard Elliott, TheSpec:

http://www.thespec.com/opinion/editorial/article/554220--high-time-to-license-kitty

Danielle Wong, TheSpec (Photograph, shown above, taken by Gary Yokoyama):

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/553954--cat-lovers-rally-demands-city-end-the-killings

Robert and Kathy Olver, The Catkin Willow

http://catkin.org

Saturday's Peaceful Rally: Post-Commentary

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our Rally, yesterday afternoon. It was a great success and we look forward to the next one. By the amount of positive honks we were getting, as we held our signs up proudly, it is obvious that the people of Hamilton care very much about the welfare of animals. The problem is that they just aren't aware of what is going on at their local Animal Control. So, our goal is to get the word out, and we did a great job of that yesterday. Well done, to all of you who attended.

-Terry Chapman Hutchison

A great protest in Hamilton today, my first with many more to come. Speak up for animals and the shelters should stop the killing.

-John Zernikel

RIP little ones, you did not die in vain, there will be change, send thousands of good vibes to the Rally today, as it is the year of the cat and there will be change for the good.
After the rally, can someone bump up the names and emails of people on city council and anyone else we should send a letter? I am sure after today there will be a lot more people ready to press the send button.

-Donna Smyth

If you haven't read "Redemption" by Nathan Winograd, it's important to do so. The public is being blamed for shelter killing when it's a very small fraction of people who are truly irresponsible. It is the compassionate majority who want to see life-saving programs & policies put into place. Blaming "the public" for shelter killing doesn't stand up to the smell test.

-Chris Harris

If the vet makes $70 per animal euthanized, then he/she made 83 X 70=$5810 in one day. You wonder why the City of hamilton does not have the money to open the shelter for public adoptions, it is because they are spending thousands a day to kill the kittens and cats.

-Lillian Szilagy

HAC and 83 cats and 7 dogs killed.....for space....THIS HAS TO STOP!
This makes me SICK....:(

Yes, thanks to all who do care.... The City of Hamilton does NOT; nor do the shelter managers there: the policy of paying a vet to KILL, instead of performing vaccinations, medications when necessary, spay/ neuter etc. is INSANE.....

How is it possible that many of us in rescue protect the animals we save with our lives, spend any amount of $$ necessary to make them well when they are sick and go to the end of the earth to find just the right home when this kind of insanity is allowed to continue?

I have so much more to say but often feel that I must remain in some way silent to protect those in my care. One day if I can survive that long and it is becoming more and more of a struggle daily - I will have many less in my care and I will have one of the loudest voices around; I am so sick of this unnecessary killing. How do these people sleep at night??

Claudia - I thank you for being that voice right now - most sincerely.

-Nancy Martin

Despite what the non-political animal lovers say, protests DO work. It takes time and persistence but pays off in the long term. Look at what a year of media stories and protests did for the Toronto Humane Society - we turned a bad situation into positive change and hope. City animal controls have long been there to protect people from animals. We have to teach them to do it both ways. Thanks to all who rallied.

-Ken Wood

Was informed today that 7 dogs were also killed along with the 83 cats. Apparently Parvo was the reason given. Gawd help any animal that ends up inside this building :(

Every person I spoke to in their cars (and I spoke to LOTS!) were truly shocked to learn about their Animal Control 'policies' and most used the terms 'cruel' and 'inhumane' after learning. Hope the discussions continue and word spreads to many others in Hamilton! It was a good day! Thanks to all who came and joined this first Rally!

Demand change!

-Jack Clark

Just wanted to say thanks for your support to those who came out to Hamilton today. It was a successful event. Look for an upcoming article in the Hamilton Spectator.

We are planning another Rally - this time in front of Hamilton City Hall in about a month from now. Will post details when they are available.

In the meantime, we would appreciate any one in Hamilton or going there to help distribute flyers to spread awareness for this issue, and please continue to write to the Mayor & Councillors.

-Eva McDowell

Some people came and went throughout the afternoon. Around 20 people attended. After the rally began, we went up the street where there was a constant flux of traffic and cars could read our messages. Eva, Cindy and Beata were especially passionate, going up to cars to talk to the occupants. We had the chance to bond together, and there were lots of people showing support.

While we were demonstrating an animal control van with a cargo of animals entered the building: more animals going to be slaughtered. By the way, in addition to the 83 cats, also 7 dogs were killed this past Friday.

Rescuing animals from the HAC the way it's done now is a band aid solution, it does not solve the problems, 10 rescued today and 20 more coming in at the same time. We need new directives and a compassionate pound manager, willing, with an open mind, to consider and implement alternative solutions to killing. Only public pressure can make this happen.

-Claudia Vecchio

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Petitions:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ora-project-accountability-now/
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/68/Stop-the-killings-at-Hamilton-Animal-Control/
http://www.causes.com/causes/610534

Don't Hate, Participate:
http://on.fb.me/itF8tt

Journey to the Rally Timeline:
http://on.fb.me/koTzhT

--
Hamilton Animal Control - Stop the Killings (HAC-STK)
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_94769408781

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

1 Group. 2 Protests. 1 Cause. 2 Petitions. 2557 Signatures. 1 Rally.

Over 3000 companion animals killed every year. No public adoptions. Limited opening hours for retrievals. Killings within 72 hours of pick-up. Outdated by-laws. Give the voiceless animals at the Hamilton Animal Services a few hours of your time this Saturday afternoon and get ready to Rally with ORA and the HAC-STK! Everyone is welcome to attend, cover and represent. Your collective participation at this long-awaited peaceful demonstration will help to give HAC's animals on endless death row a powerful voice demanding awareness and the need for change. If you have any questions or concerns with regards to the Rally, please feel free to stop by early on Saturday, or contact the friendly and hard-working organizer admins of the HAC-STK (http://on.fb.me/jARhQw) right here on Facebook at any time.

Enclosed below is the second anthology of your comments, taken directly from Petition Project Accountability NOW! http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ora-project-accountability-now/. Enjoy!

Ken Wood, Canada

Time to get with the times and concentrate on adopting out animals, not just killing them.

Jack Clark, Canada

A disgrace for all of Hamilton. STOP THE KILLING TODAY and make your shelter something to be proud of rather than ashamed of!

Nancy Ball, Canada

It's time to start doing the right thing for innocent animals. They didn't ask to be born to be put to death from no fault of their own.

Karen Sawyer, United Kingdom

No question stop killing of innocent life, these poor animals rely on us??!!

Patricia Gursky, NY

Death Row for animals is shamefull. Premature killings is deplorable.

Johanna Veenendaal, Canada

There is no reason to be euthanizing these animals when there are homes for them to go to. Working with rescues and other shelters is a far more acceptable means of controlling the number of cats -- or save the money from the euthanasia and get more cages. Priorities, people. We're supposed to be animal lovers not animal killers.

Tawny Sayegh, Canada

I did a 2 week field placement there for college, and I disagree with they way they euthanize stray animals.

Laura Slater, Canada

I know that Hamilton AC has always relied on killing as their only form of control, it would be nice to see this change!

Dianne McGonigle, Canada

Please stop the killing these poor souls deserve every chance they can get and every precious minute is a minute to be saved.

Kristine Mackay, Canada

No Killing is necessary!!! WE are the voices for the animals!!!

Name not displayed, United Kingdom

All living creatures deserve to live, it's not their fault that people are not responsible enough to spay and neuter their pets. Stop the killing of innocent animals.

Margot Treybig, VA

NO animal should die at the hands of a human.

Name not displayed, Canada

Please stop killing perfectly fine animals who have rescue and volunteer groups waiting in the wings to provide homes.

Laura Morales, Canada

Respect life!!

Wendy Martin, Canada

There is an equal way for all of us to live in harmony and that means a NO kill shelter.

David Ennis, Canada

Times have changed. Do better or get out.

Maureen Flynn, Canada

It is important for your City's reputation that you make humane decisions for all the disenfranchised. This includes your animals, stray, wild, or domestic. What you are doing is cruel and unconscionable, and will reflect poorly on you and your City. There are alternatives to this, and you know they could and should be acted upon. PLEASE, PLEASE STOP THE KILLINGS NOW!

Christine Leupen, Canada

We have an obligation to protect these animals from the cruelty of humans and give them a fair chance to have a good life - Isn't that what these animal control facilities are supposed to help facilitate?

Dorothy Parshall, Canada

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man." Mahatma Ghandi (1869-1948)

Tracey Purnell, United Kingdom

No Kill please.

Shelly Peterson, WA

It is time to take logical action, like free spay/neuter so people can afford to adopt and take care of.

Cat Cybulski, Canada

There is a better way to deal with lost or homeless pets. Hamilton is taking the lazy way, and breaking pet owners' hearts while at it.

Darlene Thompson, Canada

Please spay or neuter your pets!

Irmgard Gutersohn, Germany

We don't have kill shelters in Germany!

Eloise Senyan, IL

Our county animal control has changed to no-kill. You can, too!

Debra Mohling, MO

Major reform is needed in this and many other shelters. People need to be given the chance to adopt. The fee they pay only helps the shelter, so there is no need to be in such a hurry to put these animals down!

Melody Aragorn, India

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" Mahatma Gandhi

Lisa McElheran, Canada

I work for the City Of Vancouver Animal Control. We do not put ANY animals down at this shelter, Hamilton you need to be the same way! There is a home for each and every animal.

Marilyn Glasgow, Canada

Hamilton Animal Control needs to stop the willful killing of innocent, healthy animals. It seems that anyone who works there is allowed to dictate which animal lives or dies. Unfortunately animal control is not as humane as the shelters, but they need to be called to account for their actions toward our animals.

George Zuwala, Canada

Dear city councilers please remove this policy follow the calgary model it works.

Ruth Serra, FL

How did it come to this, people putting Animals the death because they are too many, what if it was the other way around, would you like it if someone would put you to death because you are one to many?

Jaya Sinha, India

For every action there is a reaction. According to the law of karma, if we cause pain and suffering to other living beings, we must endure pain and suffering in return, both individually and collectively. We reap what we sow, in this life and the next, for nature has her own justice. No one can escape the law of karma

Sandra Crowne, Canada

I do Old English breed Rescue. No OES or OES mixed breed need be put down. Just contact me and I will help: Sandy Crowne.

Linda Reed, MD

These proposed laws are so unreasonable to even the the animal haters of the world should be appalled.

Ben Sammut, Canada

This is absolutely disgusting!

Diane Patterson, Canada

There are many other options to automatic euthanasia. Between various rescue groups and humane societies many of these animals could be saved.

Georgia Lawrence, TX

NO KILL cities are all over the world and are working. There is no reason to kill a healthy adoptable pet. NO REASON!!!

Heidi Ferrari, Canada

This is a disgrace! Hamilton you should be ashamed! Do you really care for the animals? Then prove it to us!

Daphne Saint, Canada

This has to stop, it is inhumane, there is no excuse for healthy animals being euthanized.

Morgan Dragonwolf, Canada

When will the human race truly respect animals as living, sentient beings and accord them the same right to life and one free from suffering that we expect to have for ourselves? No healthy animals should die for stupid reasons like there is not enough room for them or for any other frivolous reason.

Emilia Sparagna, CA

Long Overdue...let's do this....Here and Everywhere!!!!

Barbara McCahery, Canada

I was appalled when I read about the practices of the Hamilton pound. Such heartlessness is unbelievable. I hope this petition is successful in forcing Hamilton City Animal Control to change its practices.

Babouch Zouhra, France

Oui, oui, oui, ca urge!!!

Sandi Wallace, Canada

Mahatmi Gandi once wrote that the moral integity of a nation can be judged by the way it treats its animals. I guess we know where Hamilton, Ontario, Canada stands in this regard. However, it is within our power to change this abhorrent label. Please do so immediately. It is an absolute no-brainer.

Cathy Steinberg, Canada

Shame on you for killing helpless furkids. It is not their fault someone dumped them on the street, or perhaps they have inadvertedly got out. Give them a chance to live + be loved.

Lydia McNeese, CO

The practices of the this "shelter" need to change immediately. There is no reason to euthanize so many animals when there are many programs out there to support with saving them. It is pure laziness and lack of accountability when a "shelter", such as this one, does not try to implement change for the good of all the animals it is supposed saving.

Linda Gall, IN

PLEASE stop this inhumane treatment of innocent animals who have a chance to love and be loved again!

Simon Pearson, Australia

To adopt killing of animals as a policy, is to admit abject failure in animal management. They are victims of inefficient controls and enforcement of animal ownership legislation. The animals require full care not punishment.

Sandi Walker, Canada

DUMP OLD IDEAS AND PEOPLE WHO ENFORCE OLD IDEAS - NEW DIRECTORS, NEW MANAGEMENT, I DEMAND JUSTICE FOR THESE ANIMALS BEING MURDERED IN GAS CHAMBERS OR ANY MURDER OF INNOCENTS AND THE LACK OF EFFORTS ON PROMOTING THEIR CHANCES OF BEING ADOPTED - NO-KILL, RESPECT & TREATMENT OF THE ANIMALS, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! STOP THE KILLING, STOP!!!

Donni De-Ville, IL

Absolutely abolish Death Row! PLEASE, PLEASE!

Sabine Vonderheide, Canada

Killing innocent animals for no reason other than them not having a home is wrong! Please stop this practice and give them a chance to live!

Tanya Kyssa, Canada

The heartless cowards responsible for these atrocities agains poor, defenceless animals should be held accountable and the Hamilton Animal Control shut down! Sickening and disheartening that they have been getting away with this massacre.

Kathryn DeVos-Miller, Canada

These people care nothing about animals. Hamilton City Animal Control is simply running a slaughter house.

LISA RAMIREZ, Canada

Why in Gods name can't you put these beloved animals up for adoption?? What kind of inhuman human being could kill these creatures just because! Well, karma will get its revenge on all of you hopefully. Theres no excuse for this barbaric ritual in 2011. Cats and dogs are humans learning tools to love, cherish and share the earth together. Not to just kill them and trash them like garbage!! For the love of God, have MERCY on these poor little furballs. They only want to trust us.

Mary Budgell, Canada

Our third cat is a stray that we adopted over 10 years ago and is happily still with us. These animals deserve the same chance to find a family who will love them. Senseless killing is not the answer.

Kathy Weiss, Canada

Please allow these animals that didnt ask to be in this position or place to be adopted to a loving home. Its morally and ethically the only thing to do.

Nancy Pedersen, Canada

Please at least try to find homes or return these animals to their own homes.

Sean Howard, Canada

Dear Lord. At least attempt to make it easier for people to adopt before you kill all these animals each and every week!!!! sigh.

Maria Ostergren, Belgium

Surely sterilize and release is a better way to spend the money and effort? Or the cycle of death will never end. Respect life. Or you risk a plague of mice & rats!

Lin Joyce, Canada

More efforts need to be put into making adoption affordable by a free spay and neuter service which would also decrease the number of unwanted animals. If Calgary can do it so can Ontario cities!

Byron Barwick, Canada

ALL sentient beings have the right to a voice...especially animals who can't speak for themselves!

Andrea Sammut, Canada

I wish this was an email scam, but sadly I don't think it is....please, can we find another way?

Linda Wilson, Canada

In this day and age of supposed enlightenment, how could any one person take on the responsibility of ending a life?? How on earth can this person or yet, many of the people in Hamilton sleep at night if they knowingly allow this to happen to their neighbour's pets? This must stop immediately and they need to move forward with a responsible spay/neuter programme. For the love of God...

Maria Gloria Salinas Picon, United Kingdom

LIFE>>>NOT DEATH!!!!!!!

Erika Percival, Canada

I called the City of Hamilton last year and filed a complaint against this shelter. I wanted to foster a cat there who was a bit older, but healthy. The next day I was told by the animal rescue group with which I was dealing that the cat was no longer available. It had been euthanized. The cat was tame and loving. The City representative with whom I spoke said she would look into my concerns about the shelter. I am saddened that this is still happening to the animals there.

Janine G. Smith, Canada

"The day will come when people like me will view the murder of an animal the same way they view that of a man today." - Leonardo Da Vinci

Name not displayed, AR

Stop all the meaningless deaths please!!!!

Whitney Grace, Canada

SHAMEFUL! Hamilton you are an embarassment to this province, the actions and LACK of actions by the people employed at this place are beyond pathetic. They get paid for this? What a joke. Time to get new jobs people..youre in the wrong line of work. Shelters and animals require COMPASSION and a HEART!

ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals (orarescue.org), Canada

See you at the Rally.

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Petitions:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ora-project-accountability-now/

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/68/Stop-the-killings-at-Hamilton-Animal-Control/

http://www.causes.com/causes/610534

Don't Hate, Participate:

http://on.fb.me/itF8tt

Journey to the Rally Timeline:

http://on.fb.me/koTzhT

RALLY:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=175403055849305