Tails in the news
By Katie Marsico and Lauren Lewis
In a letter from FFF trustee Gail Papp, it was explained that “…No realistic, viable alternative exists allowing the foundation to continue as an independent operating shelter without depleting [FFF] assets.” Consequently, trustees hope to sell the building at 1629 N. Ashland Ave. to another animal shelter that shares FFF’s goals and will ideally take responsibility for any remaining pets not adopted by mid-October. Though Papp is doubtful that a sale of the shelter will be completed prior to November 1, FFF isn’t accepting new animals but will continue to adhere to its no-kill policy.
“As has always been the case,” Papp says, “our primary concern is for the animals in our care. Right now, we’re making every possible effort to see to it that the dogs, cats, and guinea pigs in foster homes and at the shelter find loving families.”
Once the sale of the Ashland facility is complete, proceeds from the transaction will be combined with remaining FFF assets to pay the foundation’s debts. Any additional monies will be used to fund another charity or trust designed to support animal shelters. For more information about FFF or to view adoptable animals, visit www.FurryFriendsFoundation.com.
The gala event was presented by Chicagoland Tails and held at Carmichael’s Steakhouse in Chicago’s West Loop. More than 100 human guests were joined by dozens of dogs, and one brave cat to bask in the late summer sun, enjoy food and cocktails, socialize with friends and colleagues, and bid on a silent auction stuffed full of human and animal goodies which help raise money for the organization.
CASA was formed in 2004 to unite Chicago area animal shelters. President Jim Borgelt was on hand to announce a historic drop in the city’s euthanasia rates making it the lowest-kill city in the Midwest and second lowest between the coasts (behind Denver).
At the annual Banfield summit held in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Little was acknowledged for his numerous accomplishments as AVMA executive vice president, which includes a 27 percent increase in membership. Dr. Little is also responsible for creating the first Human Resources Department and Convention and Meeting Planning Division at the AVMA, which resulted in the AVMA Annual Convention becoming one of the most highly, attended veterinary meetings in North America.
Dr. Little has overseen the establishment of the
Communications Division, helped create a stand-alone Scientific Activities Division to provide quality scientific information available in veterinary medicine, and an Animal Welfare Division to address science-based questions involving animal welfare issues.
In addition to the Industry Leadership Award, Banfield announced the creation of the Bruce W. Little FutureVet Scholarship, a $20,000 scholarship for students attending Kansas State University, Dr. Little’s alma mater.
The Department of Public Health theoretically began collecting fees for the fund last Jan. 1 and will begin reimbursing veterinarians by Jan. 1, 2007. But state health officials say only about $200,000 has been collected. Part of the problem lies in lack of communication—officials report that counties do not know where to send their fees, veterinarians have not been enlisted to participate, and the state has no brochures telling residents about the program. Most importantly, the state has not written the regulations needed to implement the plan.
In order to get Anna’s Law up and running the ASPCA is urging citizens to voice their opinion. Please visit the State Action Alerts section at www.ASPCA.org to send a letter to Governor Blagojevich and the Department of Public Health urging him to implement Anna’s Law.
IL H.B. 4804 and S.B. 2836
This bill passed in the House of Representatives in February 2006 and is currently with the state Senate. If signed into law, it would require emergency operations to account for the needs of residents who are pet guardians and who live with service animals. The bill is being sponsored by Rep. Art Tenhouse (R-Quincy) and Sen. Kirk W. Dillard (R-Westmont).
IL H.B. 5788
This bill proposes that the courts be allowed to include pets in protection orders. If passed, it would force respondents to stay away from animals cared for by a petitioner. Such legislation could prove particularly pertinent in domestic-abuse cases, where all members of a household are frequently at risk from the offending party. The bill was introduced by Reps. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) and David E. Miller (D-Dolton) on May 2, 2006.
ASPCA: Lobby for Animals!
www.ASPCA.org
The Humane Society of the United States: Legislation and Laws
www.HSUS.org/legislation_laws
Illinois General Assembly
www.ilga.gov/legislation
The Furry Friends Foundation prepares to say good-bye
The Florence Fitzgerald Foundation, commonly known as the Furry Friends Foundation (FFF), has established a reputation in the Chicago area as much more than a no-kill shelter. While FFF has been responsible for adopting out everything from dogs to guinea pigs, it quickly distinguished itself from many animal-welfare groups due to its acceptance of Pit Bulls. This attitude is not universally shared by other local facilities, which sometimes automatically euthanize certain breeds. Sadly, FFF announced its imminent closing in late August.In a letter from FFF trustee Gail Papp, it was explained that “…No realistic, viable alternative exists allowing the foundation to continue as an independent operating shelter without depleting [FFF] assets.” Consequently, trustees hope to sell the building at 1629 N. Ashland Ave. to another animal shelter that shares FFF’s goals and will ideally take responsibility for any remaining pets not adopted by mid-October. Though Papp is doubtful that a sale of the shelter will be completed prior to November 1, FFF isn’t accepting new animals but will continue to adhere to its no-kill policy.
“As has always been the case,” Papp says, “our primary concern is for the animals in our care. Right now, we’re making every possible effort to see to it that the dogs, cats, and guinea pigs in foster homes and at the shelter find loving families.”
Once the sale of the Ashland facility is complete, proceeds from the transaction will be combined with remaining FFF assets to pay the foundation’s debts. Any additional monies will be used to fund another charity or trust designed to support animal shelters. For more information about FFF or to view adoptable animals, visit www.FurryFriendsFoundation.com.
Lost and Pound
Searching for a lost pet can be a frightening and agonizing experience. That was the case when Chicago residents Peter Lubell and Kimberly Lekwa lost their pup Hazel. Luckily, Hazel was found the next day, but the harrowing incident prompted the couple to create www.LostAndPound.com, a free online lost and found resource. The website allows pet guardians anywhere in the U.S. to post pictures and descriptions of their lost pets. Once that information is entered, a “Lost Pet Alert” is immediately sent via email to a combination of participating veterinarians, animal shelters, police stations, media outlets, pet service companies, and neighborhood watch volunteers within a 15-mile radius of where the pet was lost. “Through the help of veterinarians, animal shelters, local authorities, and our network of volunteers, LostAndPound.com will play a large role in cutting down on the number of euthanized pets each year by expediting the process by which lost pets are reunited with their [guardians]” says Lubell. For more information visit www.LostAndPound.com.Biscuits and Burgers a success
September 21, people with pets and animal lovers alike said goodbye to summer and raised almost $4,000 for the Chicago Animal Shelter Alliance at Biscuits and Burgers: A Farewell to Summer Fling.The gala event was presented by Chicagoland Tails and held at Carmichael’s Steakhouse in Chicago’s West Loop. More than 100 human guests were joined by dozens of dogs, and one brave cat to bask in the late summer sun, enjoy food and cocktails, socialize with friends and colleagues, and bid on a silent auction stuffed full of human and animal goodies which help raise money for the organization.
CASA was formed in 2004 to unite Chicago area animal shelters. President Jim Borgelt was on hand to announce a historic drop in the city’s euthanasia rates making it the lowest-kill city in the Midwest and second lowest between the coasts (behind Denver).
Schaumburg veterinarian honored for industry leadership
Bruce Little, DVM, executive director of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), was recently recognized by Banfield Pet Hospitals with the company’s Industry Leadership Award. The award is given each year to an individual who has created profitability for, made substantial improvements to, and invested in the future of the veterinary profession and industry.At the annual Banfield summit held in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Little was acknowledged for his numerous accomplishments as AVMA executive vice president, which includes a 27 percent increase in membership. Dr. Little is also responsible for creating the first Human Resources Department and Convention and Meeting Planning Division at the AVMA, which resulted in the AVMA Annual Convention becoming one of the most highly, attended veterinary meetings in North America.
Dr. Little has overseen the establishment of the
Communications Division, helped create a stand-alone Scientific Activities Division to provide quality scientific information available in veterinary medicine, and an Animal Welfare Division to address science-based questions involving animal welfare issues.
In addition to the Industry Leadership Award, Banfield announced the creation of the Bruce W. Little FutureVet Scholarship, a $20,000 scholarship for students attending Kansas State University, Dr. Little’s alma mater.
Take action for Anna’s Law
More than a year has gone by since the Animal Population Control Act, or Anna’s Law, was passed by Illinois legislature and the Illinois Department of Public Health has still not implemented this important safety measure. The law, named in reference to 48-year-old Anna Cieslewicz, the woman who was attacked and killed by stray dogs while jogging in the Dan Ryan Woods near Chicago in 2003, will establish a public health and safety animal population control fund that would be used to subsidize the cost of spaying and neutering dogs and cats. The intention is to prevent dog attacks and reduce the number of stray animals in Illinois by providing citizens receiving disability benefits, people receiving food stamps, and feral cat caretakers the opportunity to have their dogs and cats spayed or neutered and vaccinated for rabies for only $15 at local participating veterinarians.The Department of Public Health theoretically began collecting fees for the fund last Jan. 1 and will begin reimbursing veterinarians by Jan. 1, 2007. But state health officials say only about $200,000 has been collected. Part of the problem lies in lack of communication—officials report that counties do not know where to send their fees, veterinarians have not been enlisted to participate, and the state has no brochures telling residents about the program. Most importantly, the state has not written the regulations needed to implement the plan.
In order to get Anna’s Law up and running the ASPCA is urging citizens to voice their opinion. Please visit the State Action Alerts section at www.ASPCA.org to send a letter to Governor Blagojevich and the Department of Public Health urging him to implement Anna’s Law.
Legislative Alerts!
Pending legislation related to animal welfare in Illinois includes:IL H.B. 4804 and S.B. 2836
This bill passed in the House of Representatives in February 2006 and is currently with the state Senate. If signed into law, it would require emergency operations to account for the needs of residents who are pet guardians and who live with service animals. The bill is being sponsored by Rep. Art Tenhouse (R-Quincy) and Sen. Kirk W. Dillard (R-Westmont).
IL H.B. 5788
This bill proposes that the courts be allowed to include pets in protection orders. If passed, it would force respondents to stay away from animals cared for by a petitioner. Such legislation could prove particularly pertinent in domestic-abuse cases, where all members of a household are frequently at risk from the offending party. The bill was introduced by Reps. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) and David E. Miller (D-Dolton) on May 2, 2006.
www.ASPCA.org
The Humane Society of the United States: Legislation and Laws
www.HSUS.org/legislation_laws
Illinois General Assembly
www.ilga.gov/legislation
