(http://twitter.com/NoKillHouston)
Read about how the candidates feel about animal issues!
As citizens and pet lovers, we expect animal shelters to provide animals with a second chance at a new life. Instead these shelters are killing 3 to 4 Million pets every year. There are five kill shelters in the City of Houston/Harris County area that kill approximately 80,000 dogs and cats EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
(See Mayor's 2005 Task Force Report for details)
For far too long, we have been told that there is no other way. We have been told that this killing is entirely the public's fault. We have been told that shelters, through no fault of their own, are merely performing the public's dirty work, with skill, compassion, and dedication. Nothing could be further from the truth.
This year, tens of thousands of dogs and cats, and countless other animals, will be put to death in our city�s animal shelters. Their only �crime� is that they have no human address. Some may be sick or injured, but could be saved with little effort. Unfortunately, they, too, will be killed. And still others are feral cats who should never enter shelters in the first place.
There is Hope
It has been proven by other innovative shelter directors that Kill shelters, like those in Houston, can transform themselves into No Kill shelters. They have put into place a series of lifesaving programs and services, i.e the �No Kill Equation�, which has dramatically reduced the death rate in their communities. The resulting success proves that there is a formula for lifesaving, and that if we are to achieve a No Kill city and a No Kill nation, it is incumbent upon shelters nationwide to embrace the programs and services which have been proven to save lives.
Join the Revolution
There are many challenges and roadblocks to No Kill. From bureaucrats who are content with the status quo, to uncaring shelter directors who are hostile to reform even when presented with overwhelming proof that the No Kill model saves lives. The roadblocks to No Kill are considerable, but not undefeatable. We have a choice. We can embrace No Kill as our future or we can continue to legitimize the failed �adopt a few and kill the rest� method.
Nathan Winograd, Director of the No Kill Advocacy Center and author of Redemption is highly experienced in, and dedicated to, dramatically lowering the Kill rate of healthy and treatable animals at shelters all over the country. The No Kill Advocacy Center is the nation�s first organization dedicated solely to the promotion of a No Kill nation. And it is the only national animal welfare agency that is staffed by people who have actually worked in and created a No Kill community. With guidance from the No Kill Advocacy Center, Houston�s kill shelters can adopt the No Kill model and SAVE tens of thousands of animals every year instead of ending them.
CLICK HERE TO READ NATHAN WINOGRAD'S ASSESSMENT OF BARC
The power to change the status quo is in our hands. We must demand change at every kill shelter in Houston and withhold our support from those who refuse. We can make a difference. But we must speak up together to make it happen.
Please show your support for Houston's animals by sending a letter/fax/email to your city officials demanding change.
We've prepared a form letter if you need help getting started.
BARC & City of Houston Contact Information is here.
Gerry Fusco's Contract with the City Pt2
Gerry Fusco's Contract with the City Pt3
Fusco Police Report
Update regarding Gerry Fusco contract & BARC
Help us spread the No Kill message to all Houstonians!
