‘Birds of a feather’ flock to Trenton

 

‘Birds of a feather’ flock to Trenton 

I’d rather describe last week’s 6^th annual “Humane Lobby Day” in Trenton as “Useful Info Day” – it was that jam-packed with issues and discussions about animals.  It also featured numbers of people I was happy to see, meet and hear from. And yes, there was some lobbying too, although the networkingthat occurred may prove more effective in the long run. 

This post isn’t meant to cover the day, but to share some of the info I was impressed, and occasionally depressed, by.  

To start with, heartening numbers of bills concerning animals are working their way through the legislative process, and one awaits the governor’s signature – we hope not in vain.  Already passed by the state senate and assembly, it’s “the puppy mill sales” bill, A2338/S3041, which would prohibit the worst puppy mills from doing business in NJ, thereby protecting consumers and animals.  Phone Gov. Christie at 609-292-6000, to ask him to sign the bill.

(For this and any other bills mentioned here, you can go to http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/  to check status, read and/or print out.) 

Among other animal-related bills in process are Nosey’s Law (A4386/S2058), which bans elephants in traveling shows; and a bill prohibiting sale or possession of shark fins (A3945/S2044).

The day’s events included awards to two legislators, starting with Troy Singleton (7^th district),  the assemblyman behind the bill that would ban declawing of cats except for medical reasons. Singleton spoke feelingly about animals, cats in particular.  His bill awaits action in the Senate. 

 

Tim Eustace (38^th district), the animal- and environment-friendly assemblyman who has introduced and supported bear protection bills, was also honored by Brian Hackett, NJ State Director for the Humane Society of the US, which sponsored the event.  

“Bear hunts have nothing to do with public safety,” said Angi Metler, APLNJ’s executive director, during her presentation. “They’re all about the Christie administration’s ‘bait and shoot’ recreational trophy hunt.”  She described NJ’s Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) as “the hunter-based state agency that’s allowing use of illegal traps” and distinguished between the two websites for bears: (1) BearSmartNJ.org is for information and solutions, not action, while (2) SaveNJbears.com is the site for activists who may do phoning, tabling and demonstrating.

Over 4,000 NJ black bears – including moms, cubs and Pedals, the iconic upright bear – have been killed during Gov. Christie’s time in office.  Pedals’ death during last October’s hunt prompted Sen. Ray Lesniak to introduce Pedals’ Law (S2702 /A4285), calling for a five-year moratorium on bear hunts, among other advocate-approved provisions. 

 (Note: In blessed contrast to those depressing numbers, since 2000 three NJ governors (Whitman [3], McGreevey [1], Corzine [4]) have stopped eight bear hunts.)

Unfortunately, Pedals’ Law and another of Lesniak’s initiatives -- to protect the 1984 duly-enacted law against leghold traps (S2750/A4407) – have so far been stalled in the legislative process. Those who want the bill to move forward can contact Senate President Stephen Sweeney (856-251-9801), asking him to post the bill.

An open panel discussion among representatives of the “partner organizations” who spoke  earlier closed out the event.  One of the last audience questions dealt with Senator Linda Greenstein’s recently introduced S3019, a bill that would reform animal shelters in NJ.  (More on this bill to follow . . .!)

Return to our website for details
on what we’re all about “for the animals”

 

 --Pat Summers

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New bill promises better NJ animal shelters

 

New bill promises better NJ animal shelters

Right now, what happens to the animals in many New Jersey animal shelters is uncertain, at best.  Facility conditions can be unsafe and/or unhealthful; medical treatment, inconsistent; and live-release rates, especially for cats, shamefully low.

An “Intake & Disposition” report filed each year with the state supposedly lists animals entering and leaving a given shelter. It’s not required and it’s self-reported, meaning that its numbers can be questionable, to say the least. In fact, the fate of countless animals who enter animal shelters here is a mystery.    

All too often, “what happens to the animals in many NJ animal shelters” gives the lie to the most positive definition of “shelter.” Cats in shelters -- especially “feral,” or “community” cats -- are still much more vulnerable than dogs, leading in numbers killed.

Although we may know of “model animal shelters” here and there, we hear too often about “bad shelters,” ACOs who routinely kill feral cats or hunt for recreation, and animals who have “lived” in shelters for months or years.  New Jersey was enlightened in 1982 when it became the first state to ban gas chambers for the euthanasia of cats and dogs.  Now we’re overdue for more enlightened behavior toward, and for, shelter animals.

On February 27 a light went on at the far end of a very long tunnel.  On that date, Senator Linda R. Greenstein (District 14, Mercer and Middlesex), introduced in the state legislature S3019 – establishing “additional requirements for operation and oversight of animal shelters . . .”  Here is just one excerpt to love on sight:

           . . . shelters and pounds should be caring, safe havens for animals in need [,]

           with a life-affirming mission reflecting the humane values of  the State’s

           citizens, residents, and taxpayers; that these safe havens save the lives of

           animals and work toward ever-increasing live-release rates. . . .

And that, literally, is just the beginning of what could lead to significant animal shelter reform. The bill is replete with informed, humane requirements for informed, humane animal shelters (necessarily known in Greenstein’s bill as “regulated animal holding facilities”) -- exactly what New Jersey animals deserve.  Among many other considerations, S3019 mandates

·        consulting with a licensed veterinarian, developing and implementing protocols for many facets of shelter operation;

·         establishing community outreach policies and procedures to maximize opportunities for adoption of shelter animals;  

·         implementing if feasible a “trap, neuter, vaccinate, ear-tip and return” programs as an alternative to euthanasia for feral cats;

·         maintaining specified shelter records for the Dept. of Health to compile and make readily available to the public online;

·         inspecting of shelters at least three times a year by certified inspectors, visiting without notice, to assure compliance with regulations;  

·         adhering to specified shelter hours of operation that include weekdays, evening and weekend times.

Starting its move toward hoped-for passage, Greenstein’s bill will first be heard in a NJ Senate (then on with the legislative route to be followed toward adoption . . . [now missing])

And please do all you can to support this much-needed bill that will strengthen the laws governing animal shelters and make life much better for shelter animals throughout New Jersey.

“Return to our website for details
on what we’re all about “for the animals”

 

--Pat Summers

 

Feds block online animal welfare data

 

Feds block online animal welfare data  (revised)

Extensive commentary after last year’s presidential election included the belief – or was it a fervent hope?—that caring for and protecting animals is a bipartisan effort, so activities already underway on behalf of animals would simply continue.  

Then came reports that US Dept. of Agriculture records having to do with the Animal Welfare Act and Horse Protection Act had without warning or reason become inaccessible. Noting that the USDA had purged its website of all government inspection reports, enforcement actions and related information on thousands of puppy mills, circuses, laboratories and roadside zoos, one animal advocacy organization concluded that “animals are under attack.”

Such taxpayer-supported online materials had been readily available to the public. Now they can be obtained only through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, which reportedly “can take months, or even years, to process.” Although a widespread outcry in reaction caused the USDA to restore some reports, most are still unavailable. 

While claiming a need to balance transparency (by making info available) with individual privacy (presumably including that of proven violators), the department has made it easier to hide violations of the two animal laws and generally mistreat animals with greater impunity.     

End result, at least for as long as USDA materials are out of reach:  those who abuse animals will not be brought to justice, and their unchecked actions will lead to immense animal suffering. The treatment and fate of “research animals” will be unmonitored; cruel horse soring will continue; puppy mills will turn out more sick animals while shamelessly over-breeding their mothers; animals in Alaskan wildlife refuges will be cruelly trapped or shot in their dens. . . and on and on.

Wait a minute!  Aren’t we humans supposed to become more enlightened as time goes by?  And aren’t animals supposed to be less threatened as humans grow smarter?

In mid-February, two APLNJ reps joined Senator Robert Menendez at a press event where participants spoke out against USDA’s removal of this online info and urged people to contact their federal legislators – 1-844-872-0234 – to request their intervention. Doris Lin, director of legal affairs, and Doreen Frega, an associate director with the BEAR program, responded to Senator Menendez’s invitation.   

Among many other “animal organizations” also protesting, the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has advised phoning the USDA, at 1-844-820-2234, to express strong opposition to its decision to remove inspection reports and other important information on facilities regulated under the Animal Welfare Act.  (Don’t be deterred if you’re told, as I was, that a review for privacy and other guidelines is underway; demand that the records be made publicly available again.) 

 

Finally, in the belief that every effort counts, sign all bona fide petitions calling on the USDA to stop covering for abusers and make that material accessible once more. 

Meanwhile, here in NJ . . .     

Two bills that would greatly benefit New Jersey animals are moving through the legislative process, and in contrast to current federal changes and blockades, these are easy to find, read, promote and track online!  Passed by the state Assembly, the earlier bill (A3899) would make declawing cats illegal except for medical reasons. Now, S2410 must still make its way through the Senate, surviving the hurdles awaiting it there.

Late last month, S3019 – the Animal Shelter Bill -- was introduced by Senator Linda Greenstein in the state Senate.  It seeks to revise and strengthen the laws governing animal shelters throughout NJ.  Anyone familiar with this state’s shelters will rejoice to know about this bill – much more on it will follow soon.  Meanwhile, you can check  it out at  http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/     

 

                                                   Return to our website for details

on what we’re all about “for the animals”

 

--Pat Summers

 3-11-17

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Considering Canada geese

 

 Considering Canada geese

 

Think “Canada goose” and your first image might be a V-formation in the sky. 

Or geese in water, suddenly diving to harvest bottom grasses.  Or, undeniably, the messes they make on sidewalks and paths.  But messes happen everywhere, right?

In fact, there’s much to be said about these birds that’s positive.  And surprising.  For instance, they typically mate for life – which can be up to 24 years -- usually returning to the same site every year to lay their eggs. 

After the nest of twigs, grasses and similar material is made, the mama goose shapes it into a bowl with her body and proceeds with her maternal duties.

With their eyes open, downy goslings hatch after about a month, and within a day, they leave the nest to follow their parents. The gander protects his mate and offspring, sometimes hissing away seeming threats – as he may have done earlier when competing for the goose of his choice.  

Born swimmers, goslings stay with the family for up to a year, leaning needed skills from their parents and potentially growing up to 20 pounds in weight and five and a half feet in length.  

While raising the family, adults – who look alike, by the way -- molt, or shed feathers. Since most are flight feathers, entire families are made temporarily flightless at the same time.     

Geese seeking a spring or fall change of venue follow strict migration paths with traditional stop-over sites.  (Well, when you drive to the shore, don’t you always stop at the same frozen custard stand?)  They can fly between 40-55 miles an hour, and travel up to 1,500 miles a day.  Their well-known V-formation reduces wind resistance and keeps the flock together.  As you might imagine, the goose in the lead works the hardest, so the birds take turns in this role.  

Canada geese have serrated bills, helping them to both slice through vegetation and groom, so they’re not only streamlined and strong, but also well-coifed, or feathered.  Essentially herbivores, they subsist on grasses, sedges, grains, and berries – which explains their habitats of fresh water or grassland.  But they don’t turn up their noses/bills at fish and insects they may encounter. 

Found across North America, Canada geese have been introduced to parts of Europe and New Zealand. (You read that right: Australia wasn’t mentioned in the National Geographic source I consulted.  What do Aussies have against them?)

These days, non-migrating Canada geese can be regarded as pests. “They consume vast  quantities of vegetation, foul their surroundings, and may even collide with planes near airports,” says Kim Kurki, author-illustrator of the beautiful National Wildlife’s World of Birds: A Beginner’s Guide (2014) -- one of my info sources here.  (The others were Stan Tekiela’s Birds of New Jersey Field Guide (2000) and various online National Geographic sites.)

However, Kurki adds, Canada geese are “living beings that we are compelled to treat humanely and live in harmony with.” 

--Pat Summers

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