Monday, October 18, 2010

Dallas Animal Advocates blog

Like many others, I was initially encouraged by the title of this blog:

http://dallasanimaladvocates.wordpress.com/

Now or Never for Dallas Animal Services
it proclaims in big black (and sometimes white) letters.

Okay ... so why can't anyone leave a comment unless they have a Wordpress login? Sheesh.

And alas, they're still kissing up to the H$U$. I couldn't comment about this posting, but at least I can copy and paste it:

The HSUS Shelter Evaluation Program
Posted in Uncategorized on October 11, 2010 by urbancritter

The Humane Society of the United States’ Shelter Evaluation Program offers “affordable (Editor's note: $25K is considered affordable? Think of how many spay/neuters you could finance with that), customized assessments to animal care organizations seeking assistance in making their shelter a better place for both animals and employees.” According to their website, they use “a tailored evaluation approach to meet your specific needs by utilizing a team of experts in the field of animal sheltering. Our team examines each issue, program, or policy in the context of your entire operation.”

15 comments:

Cynthia said...

MAC seems to get a grant of $25,000 each year from PETSMART CHARITIES.....maybe THAT was what paid for that study and why they didn't want to tell it was a single donor?

Suzette Watkins said...

I still am absolutely a-m-a-z-e-d that Skip Trimble, the face of Texas Humane Legislation Network, has led the Dallas Animal Shelter Advisory Commission for how many years and all of this crap has happened on his and other's watch. It is totally unacceptable and there is no excuse for it. Absolutely none. What is the save rate for dogs & cats in Dallas, somewhere around 10 - 15%?

Anonymous said...

Its what happens when you are an EXTREMIST!!

Anonymous said...

Really? I think it's what happens when you are incompetent regardless what your animal politics are like.

Anonymous said...

Where were all of the Dallas Animal Advocates when the cat was trapped in the walls, crying & clawing to get out for days on end?

Anonymous said...

My, my, I didn't know there was a "party" called ANIMAL POLITICS/EXTREMIST....but most of those that would be appear to be involved with it seem to be incompetent when you examine them under the cold, cruel light of day.

Rosebud said...

If this the "tailored" approach that HSUS offers, then we might want to take a look at the HSUS guidelines a little more in depth. Cats dying in walls? Cats being extracted from night drops with catch poles? Injured dogs being forced to stand and walk? So far, I'm not too impressed.

And $25,000? Affordable? The first $25,000 came from taxpayers pockets...the second from a single donation. I'm not surprised to hear the PetsMart "connection". I'm torn about PetsMart support. I don't shop there...haven't in years, and probably wouldn't if they were the last pet store on the planet, because of their rather radical AR stance....but in all fairness, they do a fabulous job of opening their doors to rescues and shelters for off-site events...and they do a lot of good in this facet of their existence.

I think Suzette brings up a great point as well. The "old" guard has been virtually unchanged over more years than I've been involved in legislative animal initiatives. They might have been "new" ideas years ago...but I think we've have enough time to see HOW INEFFECTIVE they really are.

INSANITY: Doing the same thing(s) over and over and over again, and expecting different results.

It's now almost been TWO AND HALF YEARS since the "highly touted" Dallas ordinances were enacted. Have we seen even a "dime's" change? No, impounds and killing have actually increased slightly (well, not like there was a lot of room to get worse...) and it's become "Nightmare on Elm Street" in terms of staff, and environment for the animals. And a 17+ million BRAND NEW SHELTER (opened late 2007?) in which absolutely NOTHING works...A/C, wastewater systems, drains, and I've heard no update on the surgical theater in months. This is what the taxpayers of Dallas paid for through TWO bond elections...and that was because the $25,000 taypayer paid HSUS evaluation in 2001, basically "demanded" that a new shelter be built, because of the dismal condition of the existing two.

Taxpayers in Dallas should be raving mad...all this hard-earned money they have shelled out, paying for one of the most beautiful, and potentially flagship shelters in the country...and nothing works, and the animals are in far worse danger. The Dallas Animal Shelter Commission is charged with examining and reporting/making recommendations to the City Council. So far as I can tell, the Council has been getting some pretty lousy information and advice. Too bad they are not smart enough to see smoke and mirrors.

Rosebud said...

I'm on a rant....

Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and over again, expecting a different result. Can't say this enough.

Dallas Animal Shelter Commission: The same people, term after term after term, giving the same lame advice.

Since I know that many on the DASC "feel" as if "they" run the shelter, I find it incomprehensible that several, if not all, on the DASC, were not aware of the cat in wall issue LONG before that poor thing died. If that is the case, and nothing was done...the WHOLE commission should be disbanded, and new one appointed. To a person. Period. These same people have sat on this commission for years...and NOTHING HAS CHANGED! Matter of fact, our "exalted" Dallas Animal Shelter has become "Nightmare on Westmoreland Street". (can't say that enough, either) Nothing has changed since the highly touted 2008 animal ordinances were passed. Other than an increase in impounds and killing. Other than an extreme loss of Dallas resident "fosters". Other than harassment of legitimate rescues (could be hoarders you know...they have lots of animals with lots of sick or injured animals. If they aren't magically healed within days, that a "suspect" rescue) Other than a loss of income within the city for any animal events held within her limits...as everyone stays in the surrounding suburbs and spends their cash in those same suburbs. Other than a national reputation as being non-animal friendly. Other than a national reputation for a $17 million shelter that is little better than a joke. Other than a national reputation for neglect and cruelty.

Yes, I think one can easily see the quality and reliability of the advice and support the DASC provides to the City Council. It's crystal clear.

Ok, I'm done...

Suzette Watkins said...

I don't think I have ever read so many words of which, I so wholeheartedly, agree. WOW! YES!!

Anonymous said...

@ Suzette

I do believe its as has been suggested before, you are truly animal WELFARE and not on the THLN wave length, they just repeated garbage and you were "kind" and believed them til you found out MORE about them...too bad more people don't listen and learn instead of "just believing them". I'm proud you have opened your eyes even tho I feel for you being "attacked" by them. We know what its like to be attacked by them, you know. They prefer to make criminals out of people who are NOT!

Suzette Watkins said...

Anon - Not sure how one would classify me. I just get really skeptical when people get offended and defensive at the asking of questions. That sends off alarms in my head. When it takes 2 weeks to come up with an agenda for a Board meeting, and when it finally comes out, there's nothing on it, alarms go off in my head. There are some wonderful people working for THLN, some are very naive and some are not so naive. I don't really feel any 'attacks.' I do know there are battlegrounds though; however, it's really funny because they don't show their faces, they move behind the bushes like fearful cowards. It's all fun and games, I enjoy it.
I am thankful that I found this blog site. FP has helped enlighten me, tremendously! To me, this is where the intellect is and I enjoy conversing with people who can think. It's great fun for me.
Yes, because I ask questions and shine the light on areas that people sometimes don't want talked about, I get labeled -- the enemy. Oh well, such as life. I caught THLN Atty in a flat out lie! Jokes on them, not me. But I get labeled the bad girl because I caught them? Makes no sense to me. I have no respect for those involved in that particular incident. I know their true colors, it's disappointing.
Thanks for the compliment, I'll take it as such.

Anonymous said...

It was a compliment and we would welcome you to seeing what we see with open arms! We don't like crooks and liars and many of us have "known" them for years and know that is what it is!!

Anonymous said...

How about Elba Garcia along with Skippy, and the damage they've caused Dallas with their animal political views? Trying to create new legal markets with the self-appointed Animal Legal Board in the State of Texas. And Garcia, trying to be elected to yet another political position to wreck even more havoc on another unsuspecting community? How much money, tourism, and economics are these 2 going to cause the state of Texas?

Anonymous said...

YES, PRAY SHE DOESN'T WIN!

Unknown said...

Helping the cats was great. thanks for the information.