August 2006

Welcome to the third online edition of the NEFHS newsletter.  In order to direct more of our resources toward our Annual Conference, and to be more responsive and timely in sharing news and information, we will be using this new format to replace our print newsletter.  Please help us spread the word about this new resource by forwarding it to other animal welfare advocates you think may be interested in signing up.  We hope you enjoy it!

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In This Issue:

 

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

You might be surprised to know that the NEFHS Board begins planning for our Annual Conference within weeks of concluding the present-year conference!  As a matter of fact, the Board of Directors and Advisory Council hold an Annual Retreat to talk about the activities of "the Fed" and to do annual and long-term planning.  Our 2006 Retreat was held in New London, CT, and our individual Board and Council members came together for two days, either at their own expense or funded by their own organization.

This year, we had a very ambitious agenda for our time together. We spent a lot of time early in the Retreat reflecting about what went well last year, and what we would like to offer going forward.  The following is a summary of some of the things that went well:

At the Retreat, we welcomed two outstanding new members to our Advisory Council: Dave Betournay and Joan Stone.  Dave Betournay is the Director of Animal Care and Shelter Operations for the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire, where he has worked for nearly a decade. In his spare time, he is also a Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant.  Joan Stone is the Controller for CSL International in Beverly, MA.  She will bring strong financial, strategic planning and fund raising skills to the Fed. She is also an active volunteer with Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society and North Shore Feline Rescue.

The NEFHS Board and Advisory Council is comprised of members from throughout New England.  In order to get a handle on what the Fed can offer our members going forward, we spent a lot of time discussing the issues and challenges that each of the Board and Council members are facing.  Virtually all of us are working on cat overpopulation issues, staff development and recognition, community relations, and transport of dogs.  It was affirming to see that we are so generally united in our concerns in the various New England States.

As always, we revisited the Mission and Vision of the NEFHS to ensure they are timely, inspiring and relevant.  We agreed that both of these statements provide us with the grounding and guidance needed to help us determine our initiatives for the year ahead.

The Retreat is the time when individual Board and Council members form into standing committees, based upon interest and experience.  Last year, we streamlined the Board into three standing committees. Each Board and Council member serves on at least one committee.

Our Communication Committee handles all of our member and constituent communication, including the e-newsletter and the website.  The Outreach Committee oversees our Congresses and Town Meetings.  And the Governance Committee addresses the functioning of the Board as well as the process for orienting new Board members.  This format allows us to get a lot of work done in the most efficient way.  At the Retreat, all three Committees came up with a series of initiatives, including concrete plans for how to achieve them in the coming year.

Finally, we spent nearly a day analyzing the evaluations from our 2006 Training Conference; debriefing our own perspectives on the quality and impact of the sessions; and planning for our 2007 Conference, which will take place in Rhode Island in the spring of 2007.

It is not easy to pull together all of the details and content for such a large conference, particularly when it's done by a volunteer Board, all of whom have more than full-time responsibilities in their other lives!  To get the work done, we once again formed committees based on experience or personal interest. 

Our Site Selection Committee works with our professional conference planner to ensure that the location meets the needs of the group.  A city with an opportunity for night life or shopping and wonderful restaurants is a priority.  We select a hotel with excellent service, the ability to host a group of our size, and a willingness to provide an outstanding vegetarian selection.

The Sponsor and Vendor Committee is busy throughout the year, recruiting and working with the Sponsors and Exhibitors who make the quality of our Conference possible through their financial contributions. 

Our Scholarship Committee helps us with outreach for and selection of scholarship recipients, many of whom are attending the Conference for the first time. 

The Networking Committee pulls together our auctions, raffles and social events, which are such an important part of the Conference experience. 

The Program Committee develops the topics for individual sessions and works with the speakers to ensure that the conference content is of the high quality that all of you have come to expect!

The Annual Retreat is always a time for Board members to take a critical look at our work, to share perspectives from the organizations and regions they represent, and to talk about how we can do our best for our constituents.  The Retreat also enables us to build friendships and collegiality which help us with our work, and to re-fuel and recommit to the important work of the New England Fed. 

Please give us feedback about how we are doing, because we want to serve you well in the year ahead.

 

NATIONAL NEWS & RESOURCES

PRINT, VIDEO & DVD

What is Animal Cruelty and What Can You Do About It? is a new 24-page coloring book from NAHEE.   The purpose of the book is to enlist kids in the fight against animal cruelty.  The coloring pages and a tips section 

Included is a "Junior Animal Care Agent" badge for kids to personalize and a quiz to test what they've learned. The coloring book was developed for children ages 7-9. It costs $2.00 per copy, or $1.50 each for quantities of 100 or more. For more information, go to www.nahee.org.  (Source: NAHEE)

Changing People Changing Dogs is a new book from Dee Ganley, a skilled dog trainer from New England who specializes in difficult dogs.  Dee provides an easy-to-read compilation of strategies, techniques, exercises and scent games to address canine fear and aggression issues.  These tools are based on the science of learning theory, combined with Dee's insight as a trainer. Visit her website at www.deesdogs.com for ordering information. (Source: Dee Ganley) 

The Dog Saver's Kit is a new resource fromthe HSUS. Developed for activists motivated by the plight of puppy mill dogs, the kit contains several useful materials, including "Don't Buy Animal Abuse" envelope stickers, "StopPuppyMills.org" bumper stickers, "How to Buy a Puppy" flyers, sample letters to the editor, instructions for reporting a puppy mill, and more. For more information, go to www.StopPuppyMills.org. (Source: HSUS) 

PetsIncredible's Shelter Helper Program is designed to help animal shelters create better adoptive parents by providing them with an affordable, humane and effective training program for their adopters. Their new DVD, "Your Adopted Cat," is a great companion to the original "Training Your Adopted Dog" DVD.  Each DVD normally retails for $30, but is available to qualified shelters, animal control agencies and rescue groups for just 99˘ each so that organizations can afford to include one with every pet adoption.  Videos are distributed in quantities of 100, with a standard shipping & handling charge of $25. For more information, go to  www.petsincredible.com. For a free sample, call toll free at 1-866-364-7383. (Source: PetsIncredible website) 

Urban Tails: Inside the Hidden World of Alley Cats by Sara Neeley is a candid, first-hand look inside the world of feral felines. According to their website, the authors spent over a year and hundreds of hours "observing, photographing, and playing with their city cats like the Jane Goodalls of the cat world."  The site will be updated soon to include a forum for feral cat assistance and organizations.  Go to www.urbantailsbook.com or www.alleycatphotos.com for more information, and www.pbase.com/streetkid for more photos. (Source: Urban Tails Book website)

Silent Victims: Recognizing and Stopping Abuse of the Family Pet gives students, professionals, and laypersons an overview of the most critical scientific and anecdotal findings about the factors surrounding animal abuse.  It is unique in its combination of academic and 'in-the-trenches' perspectives.  Co-authored by Dr. Pamela Carlisle-Frank and Tom Flanagan, the book is available through University Press of America, Inc. at www.univpress.com.  Or, call 1-800-462-6420 for more information. (Source: Latham Letter, Summer 2006)

Wild About Cats! is a new brochure from Alley Cat Allies.  Outlining five easy steps for assisting outdoor cats, this is the second in the series of Wild About Cats! brochures and it makes trap-neuter-return (TNR) accessible to any audience.  The case for TNR is bolstered by identifying three "solutions" that are really deadly traps.  This brochure is ideal for introducing TNR to a new community.  The first 25 copies are free; each additional set of 25 costs $5.  Go to www.alleycat.org for more information (Source: Alley Cat Action, Summer 2006)

Get the Edge in Fighting Animal Cruelty is a new book by attorney Catherine Wolfe.  It provides Animal Law Enforcers with valuable information and successful techniques for investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty cases.  The book is available in hard copy, as an electronic Adobe pdf file, and as a PowerPoint presentation.  Go to www.WolfePackPress.com for ordering information and a table of contents. (Source: NACA News, July/August 2006)

Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook is newly updated and contains 28% more pet-friendly lodgings than the 2003 edition!  For pet lovers who would like to scout out locations that will accommodate pets in an emergency, the book breaks down lodgings by states and city, class and address.  It also includes information about each hotel's policy for animals.  It is available at many AAA club offices, online at www.aaa.com/barnesandnoble and at better bookstores.  The cover price is $17.95. (Source: AAA Press Release, July, 2006)

TRAINING & EDUCATION

Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) training, September 8-10, Boston, MA.  Conducted by the HSUS and sponsored by the Massachusetts SPCA and State of Massachusetts Animal Response Team (SMART), this 3-day course will combine classroom instruction with a specialized table-top exercise on the final day.  Presentations range from Incident Command Structure, to animal handling, to communications, and will give participants an overview of the myriad of issues facing animal-disaster responders.  For more information, contact Stephanie Hagopian, HSUS program manager for RI and MA, at 401-333-1084 or shagopian@hsus.org, or call the HSUS New England Regional Office at 802-368-2790 .

National Feral Cat Summit, September 9, in San Francisco, CA.  Are you working to help feral cats in your community?  Or do you want to learn how? The summit features lectures and workshops on feral cat issues and TNR by leading experts in the field. For more information or to register, visit www.neighborhoodcats.org or email summit@neighborhoodcats.org. 

American Humane Annual Conference, September 28-30, in Schaumburg, IL.  Award-winning presenters will share information on a variety of topics that include: shelter operations; the latest trends in animal care and control; emergency planning and management; humane education and investigations.  Registration is only $170 for American Humane members and $200 for non-members.  For more information, visit www.americanhumane.org, call 303-792-9900 x 493 or email conference@americanhumane.org. 

Adoption Options workshops, October 6 in Burlington, VT and October 8 in Bangor, ME.  Sponsored by PetFinder, this day-long program includes workshops on marketing your pets online, managing ringworm, creative strategies to increase adoptions, and training shelter dogs. Registration is only $10 for PetFinder members, and $20 for non-members. Brochures and registration information can be found at www.petfinder.com/adoptionoptions/. Email adoptionoptions@petfinder.com or call 732-254-6553 with questions. 

Trap-Neuter-Return for Feral Cat Caretakers and Activists, October 21 at MSPCA, Springfield, MA and October 22 at MSPCA, Methuen, MA.  Sponsored by the HSUS and Neighborhood Cats, these all-day workshops will include training on how to manage a feral cat colony, persuade municipal officials to go with TNR, and build a grassroots TNR movement.  For more information please contact Stephanie Hagopian, HSUS Program Manager for MA and RI, at shagopian@hsus or 401-333-1084.  Registration is $50 and includes lunch.

Classroom Presentation ABCs for ACOs is the sixth online course in NAHEE/Humane Society University's Certified Humane Education Specialist program. Animal control professionals and humane educators agree: It's not enough to correct the problems of irresponsible pet ownership through law enforcement; it's also essential to educate the public (including children) about proper pet care. 

In this course, animal control officers and other shelter personnel will learn the best ways to approach schools, to plan and schedule classroom presentations, and to conduct fun-filled programs on responsible pet care for children in grades K-8.  To register, go to http://www.humanesocietyu.org/degrees_and_certificates/certificates/ches.html.

For more information about training opportunities in New England, go to the NEFHS website at www.newenglandfed.org/calendar.html.  

WEBSITES

DoSomething.org is a website that encourages young people to get involved in community service. Each month they challenge their readers to explore a different cause. Check it out at www.dosomething.org.

The National Disaster Animal Response Team (NDART) website is a new resource from the HSUS Disaster Services Department.  The website features an online volunteer application for those individuals who would like to apply their animal skills to disaster response for the HSUS. Go to www.ndart.org for more information.

The Compassion Index (CI) is a new resource found online at www.compassionindex.org. Developed by the Society for Animal Protection Legislation and American Humane, the CI is an electronic tally system that scores every Member of Congress based on his or her involvement on certain animal-welfare-related federal legislative measures. The scorecard is updated weekly. (Source: AWI Quarterly, Summer 2006)

NEWS

PETS Act Closer to Passage

Just before adjurning for the August recess, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a Senate substitute to H.R. 3858, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act.  H.R. 3858, as originally introduced in the House, was approved by that chamber in May by an overwhelming vote of 349 to 24.  The PETS Act was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Chris Shays (R-CT) and in the Senate by U.S. Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ).  This bill requires local and state disaster plans to include provisions for household pets and service animals in the event of a major disaster or emergency. 

 

According to a Zogby International Poll conducted in the aftermath of Katrina, 61 percent of pet owners would refuse to evacuate ahead of a disaster if they could not take their pets with them. 

 

The bill that passed the House in May calls for emergency preparedness plans to include the consideration of people with pets and service animals before a disaster strikes. The Senate substituted its bill for the House measure. The Senate version

Animal welfare advocates support both bills, but favor the Senate version because it is more comprehensive. 

 

The House can either take up the Senate version and pass it in that form or a conference committee can work to reconcile differences between the bills.

Cat's Claws Cause Chaos
Tucked away in a nice suburban neighborhood, could a typical American household be harboring a fiendish feline?  Who would think that a kamikaze cat would hold the streets of Fairfield, CT, hostage for months during the spring of 2006?  Lewis is his name and terrorism is his game.  No longer are mice and finches fodder for Lewis.  People are his preferred prey: long legged, short legged, pants, no pants - it doesn't matter to Lewis.  He just likes the cat and mouse games that only a polydactyl cat like he can create.

Lewis (aka "The Terrorist of Sunset Circle") is a five year old, black and white, long-haired male cat.  It was reported that Lewis  actually maimed over 14 visitors (which yes, included the Avon lady) who came to visit the fairly affluent vicinity of his home.

When animal control officers were called, they issued an order to Lewis' owner, Ruth Cisero, to place him on a prescription of Prozac.  But the death-defying "claws on parade" performance didn't cease there.  Lewis continued his rampage and was eventually issued a restraining order to prevent him from being allowed outdoors.  Records show that Lewis is Connecticut's first cat to receive such a distinguished honor.

National news media outlets (such as CNN, FOX News, and People Magazine) all covered Lewis and his owner's trial - yes, trial.  There were "Save Lewis" t-shirts, email blogs, and even a site on myspace.com where folks could follow Lewis' fate.  Best Friends Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah even sent a statement to the judge, pleading for Lewis' life to be spared and offering a permanent home with kitty therapy for this now infamous feline.

As it turns out, the owner, Ruth Cisero, was given two years probation and Lewis has been sequestered to house arrest for the remainder of his nine lives.

 

AROUND THE REGION

CONNECTICUT
Ninety-three animal activists attended a Hartford legislative workshop arranged by the HSUS and the ASPCA, and hosted by Representative Diana Urban.  Discussions about past and future legislation and recent problems at municipal shelters that have gained media attention went on for hours after the workshop was scheduled to end.  For more information about how you can make your voice heard at the State House, contact the HSUS's Linda Huebner at 802-368-2790 or lhuebner@hsus.org.

Connecticut Pet Projects is a volunteer network and resource portal for those who are involved (or would like to become involved) in companion animal welfare initiatives.  Their mission is to connect skilled volunteers with animal welfare organizations who are looking for help.  This resource was created by a volunteer for the Milford Dog Pound.  For more information, go to www.ctpetprojects.org.

A new grassroots network of animal advocates has formed in Fairfield County.  Motivated by the opening of a new store selling "designer" and "high quality" puppies, the advocates are mobilizing to  

For information on how to help, please contact Allison Allen at allisona@aspca.org.  If you are aware of anyone who has experienced a problem with a pet store puppy or has concerns about a pet store, please be sure to report that information to www.stoppuppymills.org and www.petshoppuppies.com.

MAINE
Maine made the national press with the recent passage of a first-in-the-nation law.  This law allows judges to write protection from abuse orders to protect companion animals in domestic violence situations, and encourages human victims to leave safely with their pets.  Both social service and animal welfare agencies lauded the passage of this progressive legislation, which addresses the link between animal cruelty and human violence.  A 1997 survey of 50 of the largest shelters for battered women in the United States found that 85 percent of women and 63 percent of children entering shelters discussed incidents of pet abuse in the family. Victims of domestic violence may be reluctant to leave an abusive relationship for fear of retaliation upon their pets. For more information about this bill, contact the HSUS New England Regional Office at 802-368-2790.

MASSACHUSETTS
In a shocking turn of events, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ordered the Secretary of State to not place the Dog Protection Act on the November 2006 ballot.  This was devastating news to the 2000-plus committed volunteers who successfully completed two rounds of signature gathering and other tasks required to get the Dog Protection Act on the Massachusetts ballot. 

Dog track owner George Carney, who owns the Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park, filed suit to prevent voters from considering the Act in November. Unfortunately, the court ruled in his favor. The Act would have 

However, animal advocates will NOT be deterred.  Work is already underway to get a similar measure passed in the House in an animal cruelty bill with similar components to the Dog Protection Act. For more information, go to www.mspca.org.

The Dakin Animal Shelter and Pioneer Valley Humane Society (PVHS) will soon be merging to form the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society.  Officials determined that centralizing services will offer cost savings for organizational and animal care operations, and offer possibilities for broader outreach and educational programming. 

The shelter will develop plans for a consolidated education and animal care facility.  In order to serve the animal and human residents of Franklin and Hampshire counties, the new facility will be situated on land in South Deerfield originally identified by PVHS.  Greenfield and Leverett locations will remain open "for the foreseeable future" for cat and dog adoptions, rescue, and educational programming. For more information, please visit these (soon to be combined) websites: Dakin Animal Shelter: www.dakinshelter.org; Pioneer Valley Humane Society: www.petz.org. (Source: Yankee Dog Magazine, Summer 2006)

NEW HAMPSHIRE 
The Salem Animal Rescue League suffered severe damage when four feet of water overcame their facility during the Mother's Day floods.  They lost major electrical appliances, information, and most of their operational supplies - amounting to over $20,000 in losses for the organization.  The silver lining in this tragedy is that the shelter safely evacuated all of the animals in their facility, thanks to the quick work of their local animal control officer and shelter staff. For more information, go to http://www.sarl-nh.org/flood06_printable.htm

The New Hampshire Department of Agriculture recently débuted a new feature on its website: Animals in Disaster.  This resource comes in the wake of the recently passed law that creates a state-wide legislative commission to study the evacuation and housing of domestic animals and livestock in the event of a disaster. 

The purpose of the new web page is to provide a source of information to anyone interested in enhancing the level of disaster preparedness for themselves and their animals. The site includes New Hampshire's animal disaster plan, model plans for towns and communities, and personal planning documents for pet owners.  To view the page, go to http://www.nh.gov/agric/divisions/animal_industry/AnimalsinDisaster.htm. For more information or to send comments, contact NH State Veterinarian Stephen Crawford at scrawford@agr.state.nh.us.

RHODE ISLAND
On June 9, 2006, Rhode Island's Governor signed the first state law to mandate the sterilization of cats.  This measure requires owners to spay or neuter cats older than six months, unless they purchase a $100 yearly breeders license.  There is a monthly fine of $75 for those who don't comply.  The law also mandates the creation of a local funding mechanism for low-cost spay/neuter services. 

According to the state Department of Environmental Management, the 39 municipal pounds and eight private shelters in the state euthanized nearly 7,000 cats between 2002 and 2004. One of the bill's staunch supporters, Rep. Peter Lewiss, argued on the House floor that three cats are euthanized for every dog in Rhode Island shelters. 

For more information on this law, contact Stephanie Hagopian, HSUS Program Manager for Rhode Island, at shagopian@hsus.org.

VERMONT
Following Maine's lead, Vermont became the second state in the nation to pass legislation allowing judges to include animals in protection from abuse orders. 

Disaster planning was also in the forefront at the State House when a comprehensive emergency management bill passed.  This bill includes animal welfare representatives in both state and local emergency planning commissions, and gives liability protection for landowners who allow pets into their facilities during drills and actual disasters. For more information on either of these laws, contact the HSUS New England Regional Office at 802-368-2790 or email nero@hsus.org.