HAC-STK: Sound Off with Eva McDowell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-Eva McDowell

ORA re: Hamilton Animal Control, Public Meeting Nov. 15th on amended bylaws

Please view attachment and see link below for The Spec's full article with meeting info plus the new by-law report and recommendations: 

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/619423--expect-fur-to-fly-over-new-animal-control-bylaw

It is the moment to be heard: register now, voice your disagreement and offer suggestions and alternatives or the killing will continue.

Anyone interested in making a presentation on the “Updated Animal By-law for the Entire City of Hamilton” is asked to preregister as a delegation by no later than 12:00 noon on Monday, November 14, 2011, by contacting:

Vanessa Robicheau

City Clerk’s Office,

1st Floor, 71 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5

Phone: 905-546-2424 Ext. 2729

Email: Vanessa.Robicheau@hamilton.ca

Presentations are limited to 5 minutes.

P.S. On a positive note, in the aftermath of Bill Bruce presentation in Toronto, there are talks of beneficial initiatives for the animals. It will take time, but there is good will and determination. Let's be present on Tuesday at Hamilton City Hall in large number. Call Vanessa now and register. 

Claudia Vecchio

Volunteer Chairperson

ORA - Organization for the Rescue of Animals

www.orarescue.org

(416) 726-5762

ORA on Herbivores - Animal Frequency (NewsClipTV)

via Herbivores - Animal Frequency on Facebook: 
"Nadia and Bob found some serious issues from the Herbivores - Animal Frequency studio's city of Hamilton. It was the Hamilton Animal Control (HAC) that has many Veterinarians and Vet Technicians very mad. This seems to be the worst Animal Control in the area and we were able to bring in a couple of ladies that have taken the action on and are trying their best to change things for the better. Claudia Vecchio and Corinne Thaw from Organization for the Rescue of Animals (ORA) joined us in the studio to speak to us on how they got involved with HAC." Watch the show online now at http://newscliptv.com/shows/ora-organization.html.

ORA presents the "Calgary Model," by Bill Bruce, on September 30th in T.O.

IS ALL THAT KILLING NECESSARY? BILL BRUCE, DIRECTOR OF CALGARY ANIMAL SERVICES, PRESENTS THE CALGARY MODEL TO THE TORONTO AUDIENCE: Bill Bruce's lecture, "the Calgary Model" providing solutions to reduce euthanasia and end pet homelessness presented by ORA-Organization for the Rescue of Animals.

Intercontinental Hotel, 220 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1T8. Two minutes East of the St. George subway station. Valet parking available and Green P parking at the back of the hotel (entrance from Bedford Road).

Friday, September 30, 2011, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Tickets: $11.30 (tax included). Advance sale only, call 416 726 8895 or info@ora-animalsrescue.org. 200+ attending now.

See you tomorrow!

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

Hamilton's Success Story Begins

Cat Registration & Microchip Clinic at the Hamilton Animal Control
Saturday, October 1, 2011

"The City of Hamilton Animal Services will be co-hosting with the HBSPCA clinics at two recreation centres in the lower city on Saturday, October 1, 2011. Our goal is to provide our Lifetime Cat Registration and microchip up to 500 cats (250 cats at each clinic) for the cost of $12.50 (a value of over $100). This is for Greater Hamilton residents only (Ancaster, Dundas, Flamborough, Glanbrook, Hamilton & Stoney Creek). All cats must be in a carrier or a box. I have attached a copy of the poster for more information. Please contact me if you have any questions. Tiffany Trebych City of Hamilton Animal Services Phone: (905) 574-3433 Fax: (905) 574-8877 247 Dartnall Road, Hamilton, ON, L8W 3V9 E-mail: animalcontrol@hamilton.ca Web: www.hamilton.ca/animalcontrol"

Shared via https://www.facebook.com/groups/NoKillYorkRegion/

TheSpec: "Animal caregiver helps those who cannot help themselves"

Article in The Spectator by Laura Lennie featuring Deanna Maerz of the Animal Angel Rescue Foundation (AARF).

Excerpt: "Deanna Maerz sees desperation in dogs’ eyes every time she walks through Hamilton Animal Control.

That’s why the Stoney Creek resident established the Animal Angel Rescue Foundation (AARF) and works with animal control to rescue dogs that would otherwise be euthanized."

"AARF will hold a Walk4Rescue walkathon on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 11 a.m. at the Working Dog Saloon in Scarborough.

All funds raised will go toward the rescue’s vet.

For more information on AARF or the walkathon, contact Deanna Maerz at deannaaarfrescue@yahoo.ca."

Article in TheSpec by Kit Cat Club's Mary Lee

Excerpt from TheSpec - Tiger town should help stray and feral cats: "Felines are not disposable. We are responsible for making our communities a safe and positive space for all the living things that call it home.

Please Hamilton, let’s push our mayor and councillors to adopt a universal spaying and neutering program for feral cats immediately. It is a win-win situation and a matter of life and death for these unloved cats."

Full Article Here.

--
An Article by Nikki Briggs of Pride Rescue from Sunday, July 3, 2011:
http://www.thespec.com/opinion/columns/article/556156--more-cats-than-good-intentions-can-save

Full Contact List for Mayor and Council

Keep the Letter Writing Campaign efforts alive! Write your Mayor and Councillors about the Hamilton Animal Control today:

Mayor Bob Bratina - The Office of the Mayor
Hamilton City Hall, 71 Main Street West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Phone: 905-546-4200
Fax: 905-546-2340
Email: mayor@hamilton.ca

Brian McHattie - Ward 1
Hamilton City Hall, 2nd floor - 71 Main St. West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Phone: 905-546-2416
Email: Brian.McHattie@hamilton.ca
Fax: 905-546-2535
Assistant: Nikola Wojewoda-Patti, 905-546-4528, Nikola.Wojewoda-Patti@hamilton.ca
Assistant: Dale Brown, 905-546-2226, Dale.Brown@hamilton.ca

Jason Farr - Ward 2
Hamilton City Hall, 2nd floor - 71 Main St. West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Phone: 905-546-2711
Email: Jason.Farr@hamilton.ca
Fax: 905-546-2535
Assistant: Maureen Scally, 905-546-4677, Maureen.Scally@hamilton.ca

Bernie Morelli - Ward 3
Hamilton City Hall, 2nd floor - 71 Main St. West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Phone: 905-546-2702
Email: Bernie.Morelli@hamilton.ca
Fax: 905-546-2535
Assistant: Nick Westoll, 905-546-4550, Nick.Westoll@hamilton.ca

Sam Merulla - Ward 4
Hamilton City Hall, 2nd floor - 71 Main St. West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Phone: 905-546-4512
Email: Sam.Merulla@hamilton.ca
Fax: 905-546-2535
Pager (24/7): 905-777-7491
Executive Assistant: Diane Piedimonte, 905-546-3168, Diane.Piedimonte@hamilton.ca

Chad Collins - Ward 5
Hamilton City Hall
2nd floor - 71 Main St. West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Phone: 905-546-2716
Email: Chad.Collins@hamilton.ca
Fax: 905-546-2535
Residence: 905-545-3737
Assistant: Lucy Finelli, 905-546-4679, Lucy.Finelli@hamilton.ca

Tom Jackson - Ward 6
Hamilton City Hall
2nd floor - 71 Main St. West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Phone: 905-546-2707
Email: Tom.Jackson@hamilton.ca
Fax: 905-546-2535
Assistant: Nancy Bates, 905-546-4695, Nancy.Bates@hamilton.ca

Scott Duvall - Ward 7
Hamilton City Hall, 2nd floor - 71 Main St. West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Phone: 905-546-2706
Mobile: 905-973-1720
Email: Scott.Duvall@hamilton.ca
Fax: 905-546-2535
Assistant: Monique Taylor, 905-546-3929, Monique.Taylor@hamilton.ca

Terry Whitehead - Ward 8
Hamilton City Hall, 2nd floor - 71 Main St. West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Phone: 905-546-2712
Email: Terry.Whitehead@hamilton.ca
Fax: 905-546-2535
Assistant: Colleen Wicken, 905-546-2779, Colleen.Wicken@hamilton.ca

Brad Clark - Ward 9
Hamilton City Hall, 2nd floor - 71 Main St. West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Phone: 905-546-2703
Email: Brad.Clark@hamilton.ca
Fax: 905-546-2535
Assistant: Robert Ribaric, 905-546-3210, Robert.Ribaric@hamilton.ca

Maria Pearson - Ward 10
Hamilton City Hall, 2nd floor - 71 Main St. West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Phone: 905-546-2701
Mobile: 905-973-7418
Email: Maria.Pearson@hamilton.ca
Fax: 905-546-2535
Assistant: Christine DiGiantomasso, 905-546-3192, Christine.DiGiantomasso@hamilton.ca

Brenda Johnson - Ward 11
Hamilton City Hall, 2nd floor - 71 Main St. West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Phone: 905-546-4513
Email: Brenda.Johnson@hamilton.ca
Fax: 905-546-2535
Assistant: Kathy Dinney, 905-546-4678, Kathy.Dinney@hamilton.ca

Lloyd Ferguson - Ward 12
Hamilton City Hall, 2nd floor - 71 Main St. West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Phone: 905-546-2704
Email: Lloyd.Ferguson@hamilton.ca
Fax: 905-546-2535
Executive Assistant: Kathy Bishop, 905-546-3196, Kathy.Bishop@hamilton.ca

Russ Powers - Ward 13
Hamilton City Hall, 2nd floor - 71 Main St. West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Phone: 905-546-2714
Email: Russ.Powers@hamilton.ca
Fax: 905-546-2769
Assistant: Arlene VanderBeek, 905-546-3190, Arlene.VanderBeek@hamilton.ca

Robert Pasuta - Ward 14
Hamilton City Hall, 2nd floor - 71 Main St. West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Phone: 905-546-2705
Email: Robert.Pasuta@hamilton.ca
Fax: 905-546-2535
Assistant: Lynne Cecchetti, 905-546-4643, Lynne.Cecchetti@hamilton.ca

Judi Partridge - Ward 15
Hamilton City Hall, 2nd floor - 71 Main St. West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Phone: 905-546-2713
Email: Judi.Partridge@hamilton.ca
Fax: 905-546-2535
Assistant: Alison Morrison, 905-546-3944, Alison.Morrison@hamilton.ca

Mrs. Rose Caterini - Office of the City Clerk
Hamilton City Hall, 2nd Floor - 71 Main St. West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Fax: 905-546-2095
E-mail: clerk@hamilton.ca

Reminder: Hamilton Council Meeting re: Animal Control Reforms on September 20th, 2011.
NB: Agendas are normally available the Friday before a meeting.
Monday meeting agendas are normally available the Thursday before the meeting.

The Issues, Solutions and How You Can Help

-------------------------------------------------------
THE ISSUES:

-Approximately 3000 cats and 300 dogs are killed every year at the Hamilton Animal Control
-No public adoptions offered
-Inconvenient opening hours for people to reclaim their companion animals
-Only 72 hour minimum hold time before killing
-No feral cat program
-No spay and neuter program
-No education program

-------------------------------------------------------
THE SOLUTIONS:

-Open up public adoptions
-Expand network of rescues
-Extend opening hours for working people to reclaim their pets
-Give rescues and individuals more than 72 hour minimum to save lives
-Stop picking up people's pets
-Respond to complaints only
-Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) program
-Low cost, high volume spay and neuter clinic or rebate program to use with existing vets
-Public education programs, and more

-------------------------------------------------------
HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Spay or neuter your pets.
2. Do not let your cats roam.
3. Adopt from a rescue or shelter.
4. Join our Facebook groups (no spam or trolling, please),
“Hamilton Animal Control - Stop the Killings" www.facebook.com/groups/StopTheKillings and
ORA Animal Rescue www.facebook.com/ORArescue
5. Write the Mayor & Councillors to demand change. Sample letter & all email addresses available on the HAC-STK Facebook site.
6. Build Awareness. Tell everyone you know what is happening at the Hamilton Animal Control.
7. Attend Protests & Rallies. Details to be found on our Facebook sites.

-------------------------------------------------------
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. A section of this group is the Animal Control, 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 other Animal Control by-laws. Hamilton 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 in 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.

-------------------------------------------------------
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL EVENT INVITATION:


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


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

-------------------------------------------------------

Post-Rally 2 Thank You

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."





Photographer Suzanne Kelly

Rally Flyers:
http://www.ora-animalsrescue.org/HAC730RALLYdouble.pdf
http://www.ora-animalsrescue.org/HAC730RALLYsingle.pdf

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 - Date TBA

Hamilton Council Meeting - September 20
Bill Bruce Lecture - September 30

--
By ORA Animal Rescue

Life With Cats TV Article

"Hamilton, Ontario’s 2-cat per household law is in the spotlight again; this time advocates are emphatically pushing forward to find a solution that will end animal service’s dramatically high euthanasia rates."

Advocates Rally to End High Kill Rates at Ontario Shelter

By Life With Cats TV

Interviews with Eva McDowell, Christina Beltrano and Claudia Vecchio

"Animal Rights activists held another protest at Hamilton City Hall on Saturday morning calling for a change in the city's by-laws that limit the number of pets to only two per household and ban roaming cats which they believe lead to cats being trapped and killed." 

Cat Lovers Take to the Streets Again

By Molly Hayes, TheSpec

Why are we demonstrating in front of Hamilton 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

--

ORA Event Invitation: Calgary’s Bill Bruce brings his shelter reform expertise to the Intercontinental Hotel’s Portman Room 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

You Never Gave Me The Chance, by ORA's Renate Simon

I could have been someone's best friend,
       But you never gave me the chance.
I could have brought joy to someone's life,
       But you never gave me the chance.
I could have brought a smile to the lips of a child,
       But you never gave me the chance.
I could have brought laughter to someone who is sad,
       But you never gave me the chance.
I could have brought entertainment to many,
       But you never gave me the chance.
I could have been the ears of someone who can't hear,
       But you never gave me the chance.
I could have been the eyes of someone who can't see,
       But you never gave me the chance.
I could have saved someone's life,
       But you never gave me the chance.
I would have loved you all,
       But you never gave me the chance!


A little memorial about all the animals killed in shelters. With the situation at HAC and other bad places, and all the desperate pleas to help save pets on death row, I was thinking of all the pets that were saved and then went on to repay the favour many times over. Many are mentioned in the Purina Hall of Fame saving their owners' life. Almost all pets in movies and shows are rescues from shelters, and quite a few service dogs also came from shelters. I thought that every animal killed represents an unfulfilled potential, a lost opportunity that will never return. So I tried to express that here.


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

Reminder: 7/30 Rally about the High-Kill HAC

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.

"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
TIME: 11:30 am - 3:30 pm

---

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.

---

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

"Could Hamilton be the next Washoe County?"

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*:

1. Feral Cat TNR Program
2. High-Volume, Low-Cost Spay/Neuter
3. Rescue Groups
4. Foster Care
5. Comprehensive Adoption Programs
6. Pet Retention
7. Medical and Behavior Rehabilitation
8. Public Relations/Community Involvement
9. Volunteers
10. Proactive Redemptions
11. 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.

By No Kill York Region's Leanne Tucker

Emails to and from the Hamilton SPCA

Sent: Monday, July 18, 2011 10:08 PM
To: Keith Scott
Subject: Hamilton SPCA and Hamilton Animal Control

Dear Mr. Scott:

I am very concerned with the very high number of animals being killed by Hamilton Animal Control each year. I am aware that HBSPCA does pull some animals from HAC, but the number killed is still unacceptably high. I heard that in the past there was an agreement between HBSPCA and HAC that HAC would not adopt animals to the public in order not to compete with HBSPCA, since you are in the same building. I do believe that this is no longer in effect?

I have written with my concerns to the Mayor & Councillors of Hamilton. I understand that HAC works under the conditions determined by the City.

I would be very interested to have your perspective on the situation and whether you feel that these very high kill rates are really unavoidable. Is there any way that the HBSPCA could help HAC in reducing the number of animals killed each year. I do congratulate HBSPCA on your subsidized spay/neuter clinic. I hope you are getting a great response from the public. Do you also have a TNR program for feral cats? This is something that every jurisdiction must have in order to control the cat population.

I came across the following article and would love to see a co-operation (this was the article Leanne Tucker posted about animal control & humane society working together) like this in Hamilton and the wonderful save rates as well.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my concerns. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely

Eva McDowell


--
Enclosed below is his response to me. There are some good points in his response.


From: Keith Scott
Subject: RE: Hamilton SPCA and Hamilton Animal Control
To: "EVA MCDOWELL"
Date: Tuesday, July 19, 2011, 7:44 PM

Ms. McDowell first of all I would like to thank you for your email and the concerns expressed therein.

There is no question, Hamilton Animal Control has been under fire lately for issues that are largely out of their control, as they are for most pounds and animal shelters around the country, when it comes to euthanizing animals and cats in particular.

The HBSPCA has an agreement with HAC whereby we have first right of refusal in the selection of any and all animals that meet our medical and behavioral criteria for adoption once they have cleared their stray time (72 hours). There may have been an understanding that HAC wouldn't provide adoption services as long as we were operating out of the same location however, as far as I am aware they have always offered animals to other pounds, shelters and rescues as we do not have the space required to take them all, especially the kittens and cats.

I am going to assume for the moment the high kill rates you are referring to are the cats and kittens. Given the current situation in the City of Hamilton and surrounding region, I'm not sure this is unavoidable. At this time of the year in particular HAC, HBSPCA, rescues, fosters and other rescues in the region are bursting at the seams with kittens and cats. It is unfortunate there are so many irresponsible owners who either don't believe in the spay/neutering of their pets for whatever reasons or who just don't care because they are disposable. There is a serious overpopulation of cats and kittens in our community many of whom end up on the streets only exacerbating our street cat and feral cat issues across the city. HAC are doing the best they can given the current circumstances they find themselves in and are left dealing with the symptoms.

To do our part in the community, as you indicated, we opened our community assistance program to assist low income individuals and families with the spay and neutering of their pets. This program has had great success to date but we have only begun to scratch the surface of the problem at hand.

The HBSPCA also has a TNR program that has been running for a number of years. Last year alone we spayed and neutered approximately 600 street/feral cats. Our target for this year is to attempt to do the same. Again we are but scratching the surface due to the large number of cats annually abandoned by their owners and left to roam the streets.

What is the solution to the issue(s)? More funding and education? Yes and a willingness on the part of all animal welfare organizations to continue to do their part in working towards an acceptable solution to our community challenges. The general public and pet owners in particular have a huge role to play in this. They cannot abdicate their responsibilities to someone else. Over time with a concerted effort by one and all I am sure we can get the numbers down to an acceptable level whereby mainly those with severe untreatable medical or behavioral conditions will have to be euthanized.

To assist HAC we are no longer bringing in dogs from outside our region as we believe there are enough here that require our attention. In addition we have recently increased our cat/kitten holding capacity in the shelter by 100%. In the years to come we need to renovate the shelter to increase our overall holding capacity for both dogs and cats as a means to assisting HAC and the community. There is no question an expansion of both our community assistance and TNR programs over time will provide some measure of relief to the overpopulation as will more education.

The article attached to your email was very interesting and worthy of further discussion and investigation as to how they accomplished all they have. This is something we should all be striving to achieve and we can definitely learn from each other. We do not have to reinvent the wheel when there are good examples out there we can follow and emulate.

Thank you again for sharing your concerns with us and I do hope I was able to shed some light on the subject matter from my perspective.

Sincerely,

Keith

Keith Scott
Chief Executive Officer
Hamilton/Burlington SPCA
Office - (905) 574-7722 Ext 310
Fax - (905) 574-9087

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 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.

By ORA Animal Rescue

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

July 30 Rally Posters and Flyers

"Why I don't sleep well at nights..."

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!

By the HAC-STK's Jack Clark

Saved From Euthanasia - Crystal's Story

Video 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.

By Lillian Szilagy

--

08 July 2011. From Life With Cats TV, "Crystal and Her Babies Help in Plea to Change Practices at Hamilton ON Animal," by Karen Harrison Binette.

Abbey Cats Showcase Kittens Rescued from High-Kill Shelter on CP24

June 28, 2011 - Janice Boast talks about the cats she and Abbey Cats rescued from a local high-kill shelter on CP24's Animal House Calls with Ann Rohmer.

Photos: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.214735585231621.50361.105324096172771&type=1
Video: http://www.cp24.com/servlet/HTMLTemplate?tf=ctvlocal/hub/hub.html&cf=ctvlocal/cp24.cfg&hub=CP24Animalhouse

Protest Interviews in TheSpec

Featuring Claudia Vecchio and Eva McDowell.

Mon Jun 27 2011, TheSpec. "Cat lovers rally demands city end the killings,"
by Danielle Wong.

June 25th 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

 Eva McDowell: "The one & only picture from our Rally Sat June 25." 

Jack Clark: "Almost sunset and still standing! Now that's what I call commitment :)"

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

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Hamilton Animal Control - Stop the Killings (HAC-STK)

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_94769408781