<> We Lost Our Pound Seizure Fight - What Can We Learn?
This article does not have a happy ending -- we lost our
pound seizure fight. The sad thing is we lost even though we presented
overwhelming evidence, research, testimony and reasons why pound seizure
should be stopped. I am still very angry --injustice is hard to tolerate.
My family, both 4 legged and two legged, were neglected during this long
fight. I lost sleep, spent money copying and passing out fliers, making
long distance phone calls, etc. for our campaign. Wonderful other
volunteers did even more.
<> The Problems Were Many
I am on a "stop pound seizure" email list working to stop
pound seizure, county by county. When I knew pound seizure would be
heating up in my area I took packets of information to all 12 county
commissioners hoping to educate them. PCRM magazines, anti-vivisection
information and copies of the National Animal Control Association's own
policy statement which states: "No shelter animals should be released for
laboratory purposes." Our pound was violating its own national policy.
Sadly, one lost dog already crossed over into our county,
ended up in our pound, was sold to research and was killed. The people
were devastated. I pointed out to our commissioners that we have liability
issues -- could our county afford lawsuits from pets accidentally sold to
research? Some people can't get to the pound in time. I was also terrified
that our dogs were at risk since no identification system for pets was
failsafe. I spoke of elderly and handicapped people who were fearful their
pets, sometimes all they had left in life, might accidentally end up in
the pound.
Many postcards were handed out for people to mail into
their commissioners (some people do not feel this is an effective tool
because they can question their authenticity). My commissioner told me
that they were being bombarded with them. Several commissioners became
angry that their own constituents could not email them, they got so many
emails. One complained about "outsiders" being involved. They got emails
from other countries even. Small communities can't handle the mob of
animal people who will descend on them. I explained to our commissioners
that with the internet all it takes is one person to sound the alert and
while we tried, we really couldn't control it.
Our own humane society would not go on public record as
being against pound seizure. I wrote letters to the Board and so even
ended up having to lobby them which was a big surprise for me. They did
not support us, sadly.
Problems between the local people and the email list group
began. They could not work together. I tried to act as liaison between the
two groups. If we were divided then we would end up duplicating the same
work and we had precious little time. We would end up bugging the same
commissioners with the same information. We needed to work together. I
debated how to make us more visible in the audience. I came up with the
idea of red ribbons. Red shows up well and would represent the lost and
homeless pets killed. I spent hours cutting ribbon and used a hot glue gun
to attach the fasteners to them. Ribbons are more conservative looking and
have been used for many other causes. Both sides agreed to wear them,
thankfully.
I spoke at 3 meetings and I can't tell you how hard that
was for me. I once got physically ill. I looked into the eyes of our dogs
and thought: it's not how can I do this, but rather, how can I even think
of not doing this? They surely couldn't go down there and speak for
themselves! I had to find my courage. I thought of all the animals this
would affect, and how some might die with stress and pain. One elderly man
who could barely walk came to a commission meeting -- he asked for a red
ribbon to wear.
One lady emailed me from another state and said they had
stopped pound seizure in their area by bringing in a TV camera to the
pound. Two women went in with the cameraperson. Their commissioners had
argued that the pound dogs were not adoptable. So one woman hid a squeaky
toy in her pocket and when they arrived the dogs were cowering in fear in
their cages. She brought out the toy and squeezed it and the dogs all came
running to the front, wagging their tails ready to play. That played on TV
and the commissioners were bombarded with phone calls. They stopped pound
seizure there.
I tried to find all kinds of info on stopping pound
seizure but was basically told that every situation is different and there
really is no "guidebook" -- just use your own instincts. Several
anti-vivisection organizations wrote to our paper which was great. We did
letters to the editor and continued with the fliers -- some businesses put
them out too.
<> The Media Problems
Our right-wing newspaper's coverage made me angry. They
were clearly biased on the side of research even though we had proven that
stopping pound seizure did not stop animal research. I called the News
Editor who was definitely not an animal person. I threatened to cancel my
subscription if they didn't present both sides fairly -- this was their
responsibility as journalists. Things improved to some extent after that.
All the good research I sent to the paper never even made it into any of
the articles, unfortunately. The best evidence I found was a chart done
for the City of Calgary, Alberta Animal Services in Canada (from the
Animal Alliance of Canada website)
www.animalallliance.ca/ showing how dog
bites went down, adoptions improved, etc. once pound seizure was stopped.
This was a good argument for the non-animal people.
I spoke at committee meetings first. I brought up how our
county could save money by stopping pound seizure. I mentioned that the
candidate who surprisingly just won in our primary for our district had
been endorsed by the humane community and that pet people spend billions
on their pets every year and are a huge lobby. I pointed out how would
their political careers fare once people found out they voted against
pets? I found some passages from the Bible in an attempt to reach the
Christians on the Board.
One thing that shocked me was that a farm bureau got
involved. What did a farm bureau have to do with pound seizure? One farm
bureau representative spoke and he thought pound seizure was picking up
dogs off the street. They even supported pound seizure on their website,
yet he didn't know what it was! I called and complained to the farm
bureau. It wasn't their fight at all and they were interfering with our
fight to protect our pets. We had farmers on our Board and that could
influence the vote. If farmers were having problems with loose dogs that
is an animal control issue I told them. I tried to show them that pet
people and farmers had much in common -- we both don't want pets running
loose. If we stopped pound seizure, they would benefit too. It didn't work
-- they showed up at the next meeting to speak. Only one farmer voted for
our side. I was told later that farm bureaus often show up at pound
seizure fights.
<> The Final Fight
There were TV cameras and a radio station there. I left
boxes of fliers outside the building so people could get them. We had some
signs. We packed the commission chambers with people wearing red ribbons
-- they had to set up more chairs. Once again, people spoke eloquently. We
believed we had 5 votes for sure on our side -- we needed 7. We even had
professional people speak -- one said he was proud to be part of the group
wearing red ribbons. I got tears in my eyes. I was exhausted from all the
stress and work. I thought about the wonderful people who came from other
communities and drove far to help us out -- their sacrifice was more than
mine was. I sat there thinking how will I handle this if we lose? It will
break my heart.
We not only lost, but we lost big -- we only got a few
votes. It was obvious every piece of excellent information we gave them
was ignored by the majority. The postcards didn't matter to most of them
although my commissioner told me he got the postcards and he voted our way
because of them, even though he supported animal research. The researcher
and vet who spoke for our side didn't matter either. Nothing mattered
because they had their minds made up. My feeling is, it was either the
influence of the farm bureau or antiquated thinking (we need animals for
research to cure diseases). I also wondered why the university that
purchases our pets did not bother to send anyone important for the final
vote -- was it possible they knew beforehand it was a sure thing for them?
I was and still am devastated -- months of work down the drain. I caught
the news when we got home and the news reporter held up one of the ribbons
I made and said (paraphrasing) "the people wearing these ribbons say they
will not give up." Then I really broke down -- my husband hugged me and we
hugged our dogs. We lose some battles trying to help animals. We have to
be willing to "take a punch" for them from time to time. Sometimes it
hurts like hell. This was one of those times.
<> The "Up" Side
Yes, there is one. In the process of this campaign we
educated many people. I met with other pet people and the energy that came
from this fight has spread to other endeavors -- our pound is being helped
more. One woman is going down as often as possible and getting the animals
before the dealer can get to them, to get them into rescues. This morning
I took a bunch of towels down to the pound and offered to put a list of
things they need on a statewide website -- someone else had already
thought of that and volunteered! As I was getting fliers out early in the
campaign, I saw an elderly man read the flier and frantically yell for his
dog to come into the house. Maybe now more people won't allow their dogs
to run loose because now they know our pound sells to research.
One commissioner who voted against us admitted that he had
no idea so many people cared so much about their pets. He said he had
learned a lot. The press was educated and after the fight was initially
made public, I noticed an increase in the amount of animal stories in the
paper. It was sort of a "culture shock" for our community -- one it
needed.
This fight has energized some of us. When you support your
pound and show you care about the animals there, it follows that the
employees there will take greater pride in their difficult jobs and this
may likely prevent cases of abuse that once in awhile we hear about.
Pounds are sometimes smelly, horrible places. In addition to trying to
keep them as clean as possible, I think we need to think about decorating
and landscaping them.
Sound crazy? The more clean and attractive a charity or
animal shelter is, the more likely it will get volunteers. Paint, bouquets
of flowers, pictures or kind sayings about dogs and cats on the walls,
etc. may help with adoptions and keep the employees in a more positive
mood. I remember reading that the color pink calms down aggression in
people. So we don't take away from volunteer time of animal people, maybe
contact a local horticulture hobby group or decorating business who would
like the publicity such a project would generate. It has also been proven
that trees and shrubs cause our blood pressure to lower and we de-stress.
They also clean the air. When I worked at Hospice (for terminally ill
people), being able to look at a beautiful vase of flowers or a tree
reminded me of the beauty in our world even though at times I would get so
sick of dealing with death. I think the same could apply to pounds.
Employees can also benefit from the volunteers -- their caring attitude is
sure to affect them and how they treat the animals under their care.
<> Suggestions on Fighting Pound Seizure
1. Try to work together. Everyone has a different solution
to any problem. Look to people with experience who have had success. Elect
leadership. Things need to be delegated. Use order in meetings. In one
meeting everyone talked at the same time -- how can you accomplish
anything that way? Learn about parliamentary procedure or raise your
hands. We lost several people who couldn't get along with others. Remember
this: Volunteers are worth their weight in gold -- treat them that way. In
other charities volunteers often get dinners held for them or some other
recognition. We can't do that -- remember to thank each other. We don't do
this for the thanks, but it sure helps. Also don't think you know
everything -- you'd be amazed at how many people are out there who know
more than you do. Learn to compromise.
2. READ the local paper. It not only shocked me how few
people knew about pound seizure, but it also shocked me how few people get
the newspaper. Some people said they get their news on the net -- you miss
things that way. Local functions where you can flier will be put in the
paper -- like dog walkathons for instance. Since we subscribe, I found out
that the reporter doing our story was being sued on another matter, along
with our paper -- that makes them somewhat "gun-shy" when they do their
next articles. You will learn things about what is going on in your local
government too. Who is up for election. What political parties they belong
to. Are they involved in any scandals?
3. Keep organized -- I kept a folder with sections on the
press, my speeches, research, etc. and put contact people's phones and
emails on the flap so I always had it handy.
4. Never underestimate the power of elderly people! I
spoke to a former county commissioner to learn from him when he fought
this issue many years ago. He is now 80 years young and came to our
meeting and spoke for us -- God Bless him!
5. I was told by people with experience not to focus on
animal research or we will lose. We didn't but it's hard not to since
people on the other side think it is noble to sell pets to research to
cure diseases. We had to refute that.
6. Unless you have been active in your county commission,
ask for rules for speaking. It's good to let everyone know you care about
things like that. It helps to be friendly with the office people (who work
hard anyway. usually) as they will be giving you the agenda so you know
how many minutes to speak, etc.
7. Don't allow anyone to tell you "outsiders" can't speak
or should not be involved unless there is some specific rule. In our case
we even had a letter inviting people from outside our county to speak and
one commissioner complained about it anyway. A favorite tactic of the
opposition is to discredit outsiders, to split us up. I doubt this would
happen on anything but an animal issue. Dogs and cats obviously don't
respect county lines should they get loose. Also anyone traveling an
interstate or other road can be in an accident -- where do you think the
officers will take your pets? Pound seizure matters to everyone -- it is a
REGIONAL issue. Your county is not an island. If your area had a disaster
like a hurricane, I doubt anyone would gripe that the volunteers coming in
were from "out of town." Also any "outsiders" coming to your area to
assist you are also spending their money at your copy places, restaurants
and motels. Some may come later to visit for the fun places too.
8. Know your opposition -- it helps to know everything you
can about the people who you will be interacting with. At meetings dress
like you were going to church -- it makes a difference in how you are
perceived, right or wrong.
9. Whenever negotiating, always ask for more than what you
expect to get. Unions have always done this. Don't just ask to Ban B
dealers, ask for a complete ban on pound seizure or a better term is pound
release since "seizure" confuses people.
10. When making up your fliers or contacting
commissioners, divide your arguments in half -- present the side you or I
would listen to, the compassionate one but also present arguments for
people who could care less about animals -- money issues, political
futures, fear of lawsuits, etc. You can argue all you want about
compassion for animals but some people who fear or hate them will just
tune you out. If you live in a hunting community and the Board is filled
with hunters, they may feel threatened (from ignorance) that next time you
will be going after their "hunting rights." To me this is why I believe it
is necessary to distance some campaigns from "animal rights." Really, what
does not selling lost and homeless pets to research have to do with not
eating meat or wearing fur?
11. Keep track of what press attends a meeting. It helps
to have a good relationship with them too. With a smile I asked one young
female reporter to please refer to us as animal advocates. She was glad to
do it and later wanted to know if I would like to be interviewed. Some of
the press may feel uncomfortable contacting us too --especially if all
they know of us is what they read in most papers, which is generally not
positive. We must lobby the press too because they have an influence over
which clip to show on TV or the best quote to write in the paper. Watch
their coverage and if you don't feel it was fair, contact them.
We have decided we are not giving up. I want to find
research or stats done by any of the East coast states where pound seizure
is illegal now. I need info on farm bureaus in those states and whether
they backed out of the fight there, and why. In November we will have some
new commissioners and hopefully with them, people of wisdom. A good friend
of mine reminded me of scripture that speaks of sowing seeds that you will
reap later. I pray she is right. I am asking that any of our readers who
have helpful information on successful ways to fight pound seizure to
please email me -- put Pound Seizure in the subject line. I remember
seeing a piece written about how Abraham Lincoln failed at so many
endeavors in his life, yet ended up being our most beloved president. We
must never give up.
I believe there is always a book helpful for any problem
in life:
1) How to Argue and Win Every Time By Gerry Spence (St.
Martin's Griffin, New York) -- I found my copy at a bookstore for $14.95.
One thing he mentions on P. 199 is ".....we never attack the decision
maker." On P. 203 "The power argument begins and ends by telling the
truth. Truth is power." "Giving respect to one's opponent elevates us."
Mr. Spence is a lawyer and writer and he never lost a criminal case. I
highly recommend this book since animal advocates often must function as
lawyers.
My favorite quote is on P. 26 where he says: "The great
men of history were great dissenters. Christ was a dissenter who kicked
the money changers out of the temple and dissented from the ideology of
'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' ......Jefferson, Lincoln,
Martin Luther King, Jr. -- all were great dissenters. ....... But they
argued out of strength, not weakness, out of conviction, not insecurity.
They argued toward the fulfillment of a purpose and in service to
mankind."
2) Doing Democracy: The MAP Model for Organizing Social
Movements by Bill Moyer with JoAnn McAllister, Mary Lou Finley and Steven
Soifer, New Society Publishers (P.O. Box 189, Gabriola Island, B.C. Canada
VOR1XO) 2001 $16.95
3) Organizing for Social Change (Midwest Academy Manual
for Activists-Third Edition) by Kim Bobo, Jackie Kendell & Steve Max
(Seven Locks Press (3100 W. Warner Ave. #8, Santa Ana, CA 92704) 2001
$23.95
(these 3 books have nothing to do with animal issues but are very
applicable)
****Great Non-profit organization who can teach us how to
lobby for animals and who needs donations to produce a training manual for
all of us who speak for animals --please send whatever you can -- even $1
goes a long way if everyone sends just one:
National Institute for Animal Advocacy - President, Julie
Lewin (203)453-6590
Website: NIFAA or http://www.nifaa.org/
Send donations to help get a manual published for all of us:
CCHE/NIFAA
c/o Lewin
6 Long Hill Farm
Guilford, Ct 06437
"There are hundreds of paths to scientific knowledge. The
cruel ones can teach us only what we ought not to know." George Bernard
Shaw
Judy
Staff: Animals in Print (free online animal publication)
http://www.all-creatures.org/aip/
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