This venue has been quite for a while. I'm still job hunting and staying active as a volunteer and advocate but it wears one down to be out of work for so long.
The news I've stopped by to share is that the Animal Services Task Force that I have been an active member of for over a year now has completed our task and presented the document that we created at City Hall today. It was well received and now it goes off to the county council tomorrow. We have strong support in both places. I remain hopeful even in this stressful time. I am proud of the work that the task force did.
Two local papers published short pieces:
The Oregonian covers what their reporter heard in council chambers today quoting Commissioner Leonard, "We have a huge problem and it's getting more difficult," Leonard said. "Animals in Portland deserve better than they're getting." http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/02/new_fees_suggested_for_animal.html
The Willamette Weekly spread the word a day early with “City and County Want to Re-brand Pet Licenses to Raise Money for Animal Care”
http://www.wweek.com/wwire/?p=21293#continue and included a link to the document we presented as well http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?&a=229546&c=26997
The task force represented a number of animal welfare agencies, municipal and private, government departments, and concerned citizens. We were a very diverse group and we did not always agree. Yet no one lost their temper at anyone else, we all remained supportive and we met our goal on time. We focused on that 80% that we all share and reminded each other as need be that we could hash out that last 20% another day. Yes, we can.
7 comments:
Good job Corva, wonder why your links don't work... I will try to do a copy paste and go there. your pal the happy camper....
I am sorry you haven't found employment. Thanks for keeping us updated about things in your area. I did read both stories and I am not sure what I am supposed to be gleaning from them. You are getting a new building ? What will shelter policy be, open or limited admission ? King County is in danger with the loss of the Ron Sims, so keep your head up.
What has come so far of the Task Force and our recommendations is people from different stances and philosophies have managed to work together, that the city and the county have heard us out and are willing to proceed, and that there is hope a partnership will be formed that will bring our metro area a new shelter (joint city and county) that will be both open admission and community education focused.
The next few weeks will bring more details.
Did I just write weeks? Jeepers, not quite that quickly! There were will more information in June.
I hope the cooperation continues, of course my outlook is tinged by the events we had here, but I am hoping the best for you and your animal population.. We haven't seen Portland on the no kill blog yet so hope springs eternal. What is the average open admin population in your neck of the woods ?
The populations at our local shelters vary quite a bit.
Up in Vancouver Washington (right over the river) the incoming numbers had been between 12 - 13,000 but no new numbers have been provided in a couple of years. Sadly they do not have any local non-profits of size to back them up and take some of the pressure off.
The county shelter that serves us here in Portland took in perhaps 8,000 or so last year. There are a number of local non-profits that take in animals in their area though.
Nathan came through about a year and half ago and he certainly has supporters here. I just keep hoping, and working towards, us all being part of the same forward motion instead of tearing it all to bits as happens far too often...
I wish you well, if you have any No Kill supporters who care enough to compromise you can get something done. That has never been the experience of any shelter we have ever spoken with. Some times there has been a show of civility quickly gone when opportunity arises to take over. If he couldn't take control a year and a half ago, they may have done the research. Our shelter is very much not what we agreed to and overcrowed by the buildings standards three years ago.
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