8/17/08

The animal welfare regional meeting (VVAW/VAW and VFHS) met at 11:05 am on Sunday, 8/17/08 at the Rockwood Park Nature Center in Richmond.

In attendance: * denotes member of Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare Board of Directors

Ginny Bourdon

Jill Boyle

*Lillian Clancy

Gwyn Clyde

*Peyton Coyner

Richard Firth

Denise Flora

Bea B. Goode

Debra Griggs

Jody Jones

Karen Karvelis

Pat Kile

*Don Marro

*Mollie McCurdy

Jennifer Owens

Susan Patton

Pat Small

Stacey Sutton

Judy VanFossen

Betty Weakland

*Pat Weakland

Michelle Welch

Doug Williams

Jean Williams

The meeting was called to order by Debra Griggs who served as the meeting facilitator.

Hosts introduced themselves and spoke briefly of their group. Other attendees introduced themselves as well.

Debra Griggs, Michelle Welch and Jody Jones mentioned the strategic plan of VFHS (Virginia Federation of Humane Societies) and the goal for becoming a no-kill state. Debra noted that VFHS is currently intentionally reaching out to rescue groups to join,

and she also suggested that all join VACA (Virginia Animal Control Association).

Debra outlined the goals and steps for the meeting, and presentation of 2008’s legislative record started with the video done by Kathy Strouse, Legislative Liaison for VACA.

Next the video by Michelle Welch was shown which dealt with the animal fighting bill, HB656. In response to a question, she noted that hog-dog fighting is also outlawed. She mentioned the VAW Court Watch program, and indicated that showing up for court proceedings matters, even tho a crowd can sometimes make a judge angry. The large crowd at the recent trial regarding the gassing deaths of 3 feral cats by a company under contract to FOX TV precipitated a large crowd which demonstrated the community’s interest in the judge’s actions/pronouncements.

Michelle was asked about how long Surry County can drag its feet on the state dogfighting case against Michael Vick. Apparently Surry can do nothing indefinitely. Don Marro suggested, however, that putting pressure on Surry even by those who do not live in Surry can help make them take action.

Michelle suggested that no additional legislation be attempted in 2009 regarding animal fighting. She expressed pride in her boss, Attorney General Robert McDonnell, for his role in making the animal fighting bill successful by becoming personally involved and contacting legislators himself, asking their support. Jody Jones said a positive outcome of the bill’s passage was for the caregivers of animals kept long periods for court cases; caregivers have been victims in addition to the victimization of fighting dogs.

Next the video by Sharon Adams about HB538, the puppymill bill, was shown. Michelle noted also “right of entry” which she considers possibly the most important part of the bill. Complaint-driven requests for inspections were not necessarily sufficient, and the bill now makes it possible to inspect a commercial breeder twice a year without any specific reason, plus being able to inspect on the basis of complaints.

Jill Boyle asked if rural jurisdictions have sufficient resources to fight puppymills, etc. Michelle suggested that more could be done if the State Veterinarian stepped up to his responsibilities. Every ACO with whom Michelle has worked loves animals, and her suggestion is to help and befriend ACOs.

Debra Griggs suggested taking it up the chain, going to the boss of the ACOs when resources aren’t available, and “hammering on the leadership”, bringing media attention if appropriate to get visibility for the problem.

Jody Jones said the average budget to cover the costs for animal care and control is about $4.00 per person. If the budget is less than that, change may be indicated.

Michelle discussed steps to take if an ACO is unresponsive. She also suggested going up the chain of command, and if the top – the Board of Supervisors – is not responsive, then focus media attention on the problem.

Someone asked if the USDA inspects puppymills. Michelle says USDA lacks resources to do much.

Don talked about resources, suggesting that local groups use illustrations that say “If you can build an expensive administration building (for instance), then why can’t you do animal welfare projects?”

Michelle said national groups have the advantage of being able to elevate consciousness on issues, providing an example by HSUS when “downers” became a food issue instead of an animal cruelty issue. She is discouraged by the State Vet’s office not doing what they say they will, or what they are supposed to do.

Jill Boyle asked what can be done to deal with pet shops selling dogs they claim are “USDA cleared”. Don said it is issues like this that make privatization of the State Vet’s office important.

Don gave his review of the gas chamber (HB5) and RICO (SB26) bills in person.

The last video shown was by Debra Griggs and covered HB673, the “water bill”.

A discussion of initiatives the group wanted to pursue for 2009 followed.

Karen Karvelis wants abandonment to be covered.

Judy vanFossen does an after school humane ed course which is sponsored by the local PTA and involves no staff time of school personnel. How to expand such a program, and also how to make humane ed be required throughout the state was discussed. Debra indicated the concept didn’t have sufficient citizen support.

Don noted that VEA did support humane ed and wanted it to be part of the SOLs, but VEA wasn’t active because the Farm Bureau opposed humane ed. He suggested that everyone get to their delegates and senators to patron such a bill. Constituents need to come together and create critical mass for humane ed to take its place in the schools.

Don suggested there could be various ways to implement humane ed. For instance, a patron could be secured in a jurisdiction where there is already successful humane ed, and perhaps a pilot program be established where 10 jurisdictions or 10 school districts would be added each year.

Debra asked Pat Kile if she supports humane ed. Pat said she did not because of the SOLs and time constraints.

Debra suggested doing a humane ed program where it can be successful, either during regular school hours or after school.

Debra asked Judy vanFossen what she’s done to grow the humane ed program, and might she get higher in the chain in spreading the program. Debra also asked what measurements have been taken to show that the program has been successful. Successes need to be documented. Debra said Sharon Adams of the Virginia Beach SPCA has a humane ed program.

Jill Boyle is willing to lead the charge on humane ed, and Don said he would work on it as well.

Susan Patton suggested contacting Robin Starr, seeing if she could be brought on

board for humane ed. Debra noted she had asked Robin two weeks ago about legislation, and was told the RSPCA has now established a legislation committee. They were to have decided last week what they will promote.

Jody suggested seeing humane ed programs in other states, and particularly asking HSUS, AHA, and ASPCA for input.

Jill has gone to Title I schools and offered KIND News, but has found that schools respond in a very limited way or not at all; there is very little follow-up.

Debra reported that Becky Robinson of Alley Cat Allies will not be promoting legislation this year because of an inadequate number of staff people.

Debra feels that TNR is an issue which must be addressed and asks who will head it. Jody said there are not enough TNR success stories statewide yet, and there is not enough documentation, so successes need to be grown. Jody put TNR and feral cat ear tipping in her policy statement in the “city code”. Lillian Clancy said that Samantha Whitesides of Culpeper might head the TNR effort.

There was a call from Debra on any other issues that warranted becoming potential bills:

Michelle mentioned hunting dogs and asked all to note that Governor Kaine called for a study on hunting dog issues, and meetings are on going.

Lillian said the humane investigator program must be re-established and is a priority for her. Peyton Coyner said that because of the Farm Bureau, it will be very difficult to resurrect, feeling that the House and Senate Ag committees do what the Farm Bureau wants them to do.

Don said that adoption and vet tax credits also need to be pushed.

Meeting attendees were then encouraged to sign up to work on various initiatives.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 pm.