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Fridays Friend - Lili From Scout's Honor (A Special Foster Plea)
This is a special foster plea for our Lili. Lili's story is a sad one for such
a happy girl. She was initially turned in to the SPCA as a stray dog back in
2004. After no one claimed her at the SPCA, She ended up at BARC (city pound)
where someone either claimed her or adopted her. She was someone's pet for 5
years until she was turned in to Citizens for Animal Protection recently. She
was even micro-chipped, but all numbers associated with her chip were
disconnected. CAP could not keep her and she was then transferred to the SPCA.
The SPCA decided that she was too old and her teeth were worn down so they would
not put her up for adoption and deemed her "unadoptable". As a result, she was
scheduled for euthanasia. That is when Scout's Honor was contacted and told her
story. We just could not bear to sit by and let this beautiful old girl have
such a cold ending just because someone didn't want her anymore.
When she came to us, her hair was so matted that we had to have her shaved.
Well, she just looks adorable and is no doubt much cooler in this Houston heat.
I've attached some of her "before" and "after" pictures.
Lili is heartworm negative (which means someone obviously cared for her at some
point), spayed and micro-chipped. She is just a big sweet girl who gets along
with kids and other dogs (pretty much indifferent to them) and wants to be your
friend and give hugs. Oh, and she walks great on a leash and is potty trained
as well. The vet thinks she is 8 or so years old, but she is in good health and
full of life. All she needs is a home that can give her some love and attention
and let her live out her senior years in style.
Lili was in a foster home, but can no longer stay there and we do not want to
put her back into boarding. She would just love a soft bed to lay her head on
at night!! If you are interested in fostering (or adopting) Miss Lili, please
contact Leslie at lesliehillendahl@yahoo.com.
Please pass this on to anyone that might be interested in Lili! Remember,
Scout's Honor pays for all vet expenses and other essentials for our fosters.
BARC July Intake/Outtake Numbers
Finally, after waiting for most of August, the city has finally released the July Intake and Outake Reports for BARC. Maybe the delay was due to the fact the numbers are horrendous. Even before Mr. Fusco was hired, Stephen Williams (the director of Health and Human Services) assurred the public that all animals would be vaccinated upon intake to slow the disease rate. Judging from the numbers released just today, BARC still has a problem with disease.
Intake - Dogs only: 1314
Euthanized - Dogs only: 736
586 had to be euthanized due to disease alone. 153 were adopted out, while 182 were transferred to rescue groups. I would like to stress that of the 153 adopted out, more than half were more than likely sick. This is something that citizens of Houston must not allow to continue. Countless families go to BARC to rescue an animal that is supposed to be healthy, not on the verge of death. I do not wish to place blame of any sort on Mr. Fusco, but if August numbers are not any better, or possibly worse, you are not doing your job.
To view the reports, visit BARC Reports Page
A Bit Of A Slowdown In The Rush To Approve BARC's Change Agent From Craig Malisow at The Houston Press
City Council did not vote on BARC interim chief Gerry Fusco's contract because it was not completed in time for the meeting, according to the mayor's agenda director.
"The documents weren't in," Marty Stein told Hair Balls. "....In this case, what happened was, because this is kind of a special contract, we had promised...[Councilman] Jarvis Johnson's committee in our review, that...the contract would have very detailed deliverables, with [a] timeline."
Read the full article HERE
The Big Wash 2009 @ Mr. Car Wash
As some of you may remember, the Houston Humane Society (HHS) recently rescued 68 animals from the Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care (BARC). Now more than ever the HHS needs your assistance in caring for these animals. There are multiple ways you can help the HHS. You can volunteer your time, make an online donation or go to Mr. Car Wash this Sunday. It is simple, all you have to do is drive to Mr. Car Wash, make a donation of any amount, and you will get a free Express Car Wash.
What: The Big Wash 2009
When: August 23, 2009
Where: Mr. Car Wash (all locations)
For locations, hours and more information, please visit Mr. Car Wash
From Craig Malisow at the Houston Press
We thought that when a Houston City Councilman says something, we're supposed to take him at his word. But sometimes we forget that this is Houston, and things are done a little differently.
But Hair Balls has received many concerned e-mails from folks who were surprised to see that Fusco's contract is now on the August 19 agenda. See, people who had tuned into news reports on the contract were under the impression that they had another month to wait to see how things were going before they, if they wanted to, could tell their council members how they felt on the issue.
Read the full article HERE.
Courtesy GHCVB
FUSCO On City Council Agenda This Week
I received an email today regarding the Gerry Fusco contract. For some reason the contract approval has been pushed up to tomorrow (August 19th). As far as I remember being told, the contract was not going to be sent to council for approval until mid September. Why such a sudden push to approve? Sounds a little sneaky and in bad taste if you ask me. While I am on the fence regarding the contract, I do believe that Mr. Fusco's background could be beneficial in some areas.
On of those areas in the culture of BARC in general. Take a place that has such a dismal history and you will find dismal workers. Perhaps all some of the employees need is encouragement and better structure in place. Structure starts at the top and winds its way down. From Mr. Williams to KAs, each has a responsibility to fulfill to the citizens and helpless animals at BARC. To provide compassionate care and attention. If Mr. Fusco makes strides in addressing the structure, and changes are seen, then the money was worth it. However, there is so much more that must be be fixed.
BARC is known to foster a culture of killing and abuse. Those that abuse animals must be terminated immediately and prosecuted There is no place for them at BARC. All it takes is one bad apple to spoil the bunch. Remove the bad apple(s) and that is a start. BARC must also reduce their kill and disease rate. I know adoptions have been great the past few weeks, however if you are adopting out sick animals, all the work is for not. You will just be spreading the word that BARC is a death factory to new families. Remember that. The euthanasia rate must also be greatly reduced. Simply put, the city and BARC are in the killing business. A majority of the animals that go to BARC are dead before they are off the truck. That is the sad and simple truth.
It does not have to be this way though. You can make a difference. Write you city officials and demand that the killing stops. The power of numbers speaks volumes.
National Dog Day
National Dog Day is celebrated August 26th annually and serves to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, and acknowledges family dogs and dogs that work selflessly each day to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort. Dogs put their lives on the line every day - for their law enforcement partner, for their blind companion, for a child who is disabled, for our freedom and safety by detecting bombs and drugs and pulling victims of tragedy from wreckage.
National Dog Day's founder, pet lifestyle expert and author Colleen Paige, felt it was time to honor dogs more than we currently do, to give them "a day", to show deep appreciation for our long connection to each other - for their endearing patience, unquestioning loyalty, for their work, their capacity for love and their ability to impact our lives everyday in the most miraculous ways. National Dog Day wishes to encourage dog ownership of all breeds, mixed and pure - and embraces the opportunity for all dogs to live a happy, safe and ”abuse-free life”.
National Dog Day will be many a dog’s birthday and for all of them it will be a “K9- 4th of July!” Even citizens who are not dog owners will be encouraged to donate $5 to their local shelter on National Dog Day.
Want to help save orphaned dogs in your town? Host your own National Dog Day or other holiday event! CLICK HERE!
Fridays Friend - Maya and Bounder From Scout's Honor
Please meet darling Bounder and Maya! Bounder and Maya were found as little stray puppies, along with two other pups (Maverick and Olga). A good Samaritan rescued them, and we took them into the program.
When we found them, they had mange and open sores all over their bodies. After some serious love and care by a wonderful foster, these two kiddos are adorable and happy little puppies and are ready for their new homes. We would like to try to place these babies together because they are so attached; however, we will separate them if the right home comes along!
We believe that these babies are Catahoula/Heeler/Terrier mixes. They are about 14 weeks old and oh so adorable!
Maya and Bounder
Want to learn more? Please visit Maya and Bounder's Page
Annise Parker's View On BARC
I received an email from Annise Parker (mass email) titled, Controller's Newsletter. In her newsletter, she comments on everything from Maddie's Fund, HHS and Gerry Fusco. Regarding Fusco, “I recommend that City Council reject the pending four-month $158,500 contract extension and accelerate the search for a new permanent BARC director," she said. All I have to say is wow. I totally agree with her on this. When the city would not even spend $5,000 to bring Nathan Winograd to Houston, the higher ups had no problem spending over $200,000 of our money on Fusco. For 6 months of work.
I do have an issue with this idea though.
What if the city partnered with the Houston Humane Society to expand its wonderful new shelter in far south Houston or worked with HHS to operate a shelter/adoption center/clinic in central Houston?
While I applaud all the HHS has done recently in taking in 68 BARC animals, I have to give a big NO to this idea. The Houston Humane Society is a slaughter house. Their kill rate is close to 90%. So you partner with HHS, you are going to kill even more animals. This should not even be considered. Oh, that wonderful new shelter is all for show. It attracts $$$ and people. They can ew and ah all day long at the shimmering temple, but the smoke stacks out back tell the true story.Ms. Parker goes on to say, By so many accounts, turnaround expert-BARC Interim Director Gerry Fusco is doing an excellent job, but the city can save more than $100,000 and possibly find the right permanent BARC director if we start now, City Controller Annise Parker suggests.
“I recommend that City Council reject the pending four-month $158,500 contract extension and accelerate the search for a new permanent BARC director," she said.
Noting that city departments have cut budgets 3% in less than a year, she recommends: "Let's see if we can hire a permanent director in a month without slowing the positive momentum. If we can't, perhaps we can negotiate a lower month-to-month rate with Mr. Fusco."
To read more, please visit Controller's Newsletter
500 Dogs Seized From Texas Puppy Mill From AOL News
This is why our state needs to pass and enforce tougher laws banning puppy mills. The owners that run these horrid places must be banished from their community. If I could, I would place a scarlet letter on their forehead.
KAUFMAN, Texas (Aug. 12) -- Authorities have seized more than 500 dogs and about 15 cats from what they say is a puppy mill southwest of Dallas.
The Humane Society and Kaufman County sheriff's deputies raided the suspected puppy mill Tuesday. Sheriff's deputies said the kennel's owners have not yet been arrested or charged.
You can view the rest of the story and view the video HERE