September 2010 - Media-advisors

Fwd: Fwd: American Federation of Aviculture Exotic Bird Re-homing Proposal
by Elizabeth Young 08 Sep '10

08 Sep '10

SF ACWC Commissioner Pam's response to my inquiry into the status of the AFA proposal is below, FYI. e ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Pam Hemphill <pam.hemphill(a)gmail.com> Date: Wed, Sep 8, 2010 at 2:09 PM Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: American Federation of Aviculture Exotic Bird Re-homing Proposal To: Elizabeth Young <adoptkings(a)gmail.com> Elizabeth, I have sent off the questions to Mary Ellen and we will see what she says. I do think that she somehow does want to help, while being blind to the fact that breeding is part of creating the problem. Pam On Wed, Sep 8, 2010 at 11:22 AM, Elizabeth Young <adoptkings(a)gmail.com>wrote: > Hello- > > What's the latest on the AFA proposal? And how was the 8/30 Pet Ready > meeting? > > Elizabeth > > On Tue, Aug 17, 2010 at 11:54 AM, Elizabeth Young <adoptkings(a)gmail.com>wrote: > >> Second of two Mickaboo responses to the AFA proposal >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: Tammy Azzaro <tammyazzaro(a)gmail.com> >> Date: Mon, Aug 16, 2010 at 4:24 PM >> Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: American Federation of Aviculture >> Exotic Bird Re-homing Proposal >> To: Mickaboo media advisor team <media-advisors(a)mickaboo.org> >> >> >> Hi Elizabeth, >> Let me start by saying that I'm pretty angry at this obviously sloppy >> attempt by breeders and pet trade people to stop the ban. I started >> Mickaboo in order to be a safety net for birds who had been abused, >> neglected and needed a second chance. If the AFA replaces Mickaboo as that >> second chance, we have just stepped back in time by 20 years as far as >> quality of care for these birds. It's a horrifying thought. >> My first thought is that there is a fundamental conflict of interest in >> allowing what is basically a club for breeders of an animal become the >> rescuers of those same animals when they become homeless because the pet >> trade failed them in the first place. >> According to this "proposal", the only requirement for taking in these >> birds is to become an AFA member (which will, of course, benefit AFA) and >> take an online course?? >> Secondly, she refers to SFACC as SPCA because she knows *nothing* about >> the SF shelter system and didn't even do her homework to find out *what* >> facility takes in birds in SF, let alone figures on how many come out of >> there requiring veterinary care. >> This brings me to my third major concern---vet care. She does not say >> what she will do about birds requiring vet care and mentions that those who >> "appear healthy" will have their medical care needs met by the volunteers >> who offer to take them in. We're supposed to assume that the same people >> who simply take an online course about bird care in order to be an AFA >> member and receive free birds from the city shelter system are going to pay >> what we know to be often exorbitant medical fees for those birds??? >> Eric at SFACC gave me a figure of nearly 300 bird that were taken into >> their shelter in '09. There were likely more but some are misclassified. >> We know how many of those ended up needing veterinary care and we know how >> costly that is. Are we expected to believe that those who profit from the >> animal are going to take on that burden? >> When she refers to "unhealthy birds", what are the "other options"? From >> what I know about the AFA and its members, I would be concerned to find out >> if those "other options" involve a tailpipe and a plastic bag.... >> When I get over the shock of the hypocrisy and ridiculous notion of this >> idea and the egotistical disregard towards the very animals they claim to >> serve, I may be abel to come up w/ more lucid thoughts. >> ~tammy >> On Aug 16, 2010, at 3:12 PM, Elizabeth Young wrote: >> >> I'd encourage leadership to look at this and provide an official >> Mickaboo opinion/recommendations ASAP. >> >> Entirely separate from this proposal, I wanted to know if: >> >> - anybody has taken the AFA Avian Fundatementals online course? (I'd love >> to but REALLY need to redirect my energy back to MickaCoo which has suffered >> from my reduced time investment) >> >> - if so, what your impressions are >> >> Thanks, >> Elizabeth >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: Pam Hemphill <pam.hemphill(a)gmail.com> >> Date: Mon, Aug 16, 2010 at 2:40 PM >> Subject: Fwd: American Federation of Aviculture Exotic Bird Re-homing >> Proposal >> To: Philip Gerrie <glassgerrie(a)earthlink.net>, Sally Stephens < >> stephensfw(a)mindspring.com>, Rebecca Katz <Rebecca.Katz(a)sfgov.org>, Kat >> Brown <Kat.Brown(a)sfgov.org>, Elizabeth Young <adoptkings(a)gmail.com>, Jack >> Aldridge <drjackthevet(a)yahoo.com> >> >> >> Hi All, >> I gave Mary Ellen LePage my email at the last Commission meeting because >> she was requesting a contact to send us her "solution" to the homeless bird >> problem. Attached is her document and I would very much like your feedback. >> Note that this proposal is to substitute for a ban and that AFA members >> include breeders. I am not sure why she talks about the SPCA and not ACC. >> She may not be clear about those details. >> >> Thanks, Pam >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: Mary Ellen LePage <mail(a)birds2pet.com> >> Date: Mon, Aug 16, 2010 at 7:41 AM >> Subject: American Federation of Aviculture Exotic Bird Re-homing Proposal >> To: Pam Hemphill <Pam.Hemphill(a)gmail.com> >> Cc: Marilyn Hawley <mhawley44(a)aol.com> >> >> >> >> >> Commissioner Pam Hemphill, >> >> Thank you for allowing me to present this proposal to the commission. I >> think it is simple, cost saving and will be effective. I hope for success >> in San Francisco so that it will spread cross country. San Francisco >> helped >> the American Federation of Aviculture recognize your problem so that we >> can >> offer a solution. >> >> I would like to work with your commission and animal control on a >> one-to-one >> basis. I can come to San Francisco to meet with you. Although I own a >> small property in San Francisco, I live in the Santa Cruz Mountains about >> 2 >> hours' drive from San Francisco, therefore telephone contact is good, >> also. >> >> I am very excited about this program and dedicated to its success. >> >> Please distribute the proposal to the commission and let me know how we >> can >> proceed to the next step. >> >> Thank you for your help. >> >> Mary Ellen LePage, Vice President of the American Federation of Aviculture >> Telephone: 408-997-3113 >> Cell: 408-373-5494 >> Fax: 408-323-1802 >> Address: 15466 Los Gatos Blvd, Suite 105-198 >> Los Gatos, CA 95032 >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Elizabeth >> >> Until they all have homes, don't buy, don't breed- adopt. >> www.RescueReport.org <http://www.rescuereport.org/> >> www.MickaCoo.org <http://www.mickacoo.org/> >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGjyooh3Yo0 >> <American Federation Proposal for San Francisco pet re.doc> >> >> >> Tammy Azzaro >> Mickaboo <http://www.mickaboo.org/>♡ >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Elizabeth >> >> Until they all have homes, don't buy, don't breed- adopt. >> www.RescueReport.org <http://www.rescuereport.org/> >> www.MickaCoo.org <http://www.mickacoo.org/> >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGjyooh3Yo0 >> > > > > -- > Elizabeth > > Until they all have homes, don't buy, don't breed- adopt. > www.RescueReport.org <http://www.rescuereport.org/> > www.MickaCoo.org <http://www.mickacoo.org/> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGjyooh3Yo0 > -- Elizabeth Until they all have homes, don't buy, don't breed- adopt. www.RescueReport.org www.MickaCoo.org http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGjyooh3Yo0

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Re: [Media-advisors] Checking in . . . .
by Pamela Lee 08 Sep '10

08 Sep '10

We're all agreeing on stuff to be done. Good step 1! Now, who is signing up to *do* it? Sent from my Peek - Pam ------------------------------------- Karen Watkins<karen.watkins(a)gmail.com> wrote: Thanks, Vinny. I have been thinking the same thing as I enjoy a chance to make progress on other things. I agree -- we need to work on these two documents. I believe Maggie is on this list now. To: 'Mickaboo media advisor team' Subject: [Media-advisors] Checking in . . . . Hi, I hope that you are all having a good Labor Day holiday. As we are all aware, the proposed SF legislation on pet sales and the ACWC's discussions thereupon are on hold until next year. This has given many of us a chance to catch our breath and re-concentrate our focus on Mickaboo's core operations of rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming companion birds. (I know, mentioning "catch our breath" and "Mickaboo's core operations" in the same sentence could be considered an oxymoron.) However, this Media Matters group had developed a few discussion and action topics which I think should continue to move forward as much as possible for the good of the organization. Specifically: 1.) Jonathan has drafted a "Lies and Misstatements" document. We were discussing the possibility of trimming this document to keep the attention span of the youtube generation, and finding appropriate distribution media (both web and printed) that would make this document portable and accessible. 2.) Patricia Blau created a press release, I believe Mickaboo's first, stating our support for the proposes SF legislation. We talked about creating more standardized press releases to document elements of our operations which our opponents tend to dismiss - for example, our strategic partnerships and activities with pet stores and shelters. It might even be a good idea, IMO, to publish high-level quarterly statistics about intakes, vet bills, etc. in press releases where they'd be readily available. Both of these topics will require some writing, document formatting, technical infrastructure and web development. We discussed inviting Maggie Rufo to help us with the writing from a journalist's perspective, and mentioned Walt Boeninger as a possible candidate to do some of the web design and setup. I haven't heard any discussion on these in weeks, since the on-hold announcement from ACWC. I know that we've all been busy and have reprioritized, but I wanted to ping the rest of you to see if we there's been any activity on these and, if not, to see if we can pick them up where we left off. I know that we all want to be ready when the arrows begin flying again, on the pet sale ban or any other topic. Having a history of relevant press releases and a document to clear up "misunderstandings" will give us a stronger starting position going into such fracases and will help us in the interim. Thanks. Vincent J. Hrovat

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Fw: Re: Checking in . . . .
by Pamela Lee 07 Sep '10

07 Sep '10

We have a series of public appearances in the near future - notably participation at the Dublin SPCA on 9/25 - another multi-agency adoption event (called the Furry Fall Frenzy). Want to hang something off of that? - Pam --- On Tue, 9/7/10, Elizabeth Y <adoptkings(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Elizabeth Y <adoptkings(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Checking in . . . . To: "Mickaboo media advisor team" <media-advisors(a)mickaboo.org> Date: Tuesday, September 7, 2010, 8:34 PM *How about the Mickacoo fundraiser?* Thank you but no thank you, I think. It's at my home and I'd prefer to keep this within our Boo & Coo circle rather than publicize it via the media. I'd love to see y'all there though. 8 ) e -----Original Message----- From: Vincent J. Hrovat <1217(a)vhrovat.org> Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 10:11 AM To: 'Mickaboo media advisor team' <media-advisors(a)mickaboo.org> Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Checking in . . . . > We do need actual news to hang them on Agreed, absolutely. I was thinking of the following as newsworthy topics: -- Strategic new partnerships with pet stores or shelters. One example might be when we started doing classes and events at the WC PFE. Technically, this expanded an existing partnership but it gave us a bigger presence in the East Bay / Contra Costa County, which has been kind of a blind spot for us for a while. We might have to parse back and forth on the definition of "strategic" but, for starters, it needs to be more than a pickle jar for donations at their checkstand. -- Fairly major upcoming events such as adoption fairs, particularly those done in partnership with shelters. Again, we would have to decide, perhaps on a case=by-case basis, what constitutes a "major" event. One example for consideration is the multi-rescue adoption fair done at HSSV earlier this year. -- This is a new idea to the group, but I think that we should consider sending out quarterly press releases with some accurate but high-level statistics. I.E., Mickaboo took in 99 birds and spend $99K on veterinary bills in Q3 2010. Since we are a 501(c)3, this information is available to anyone who wants it anyway, but, as we have heard, there's a kneejerk accusation that we are a for-profit enterprise from people who didn't bother to -- and, frankly, didn't need to -- look up our numbers. Posting stuff like this in a press release makes us look more "corporate" (which , granted, some people might not like) and should minimize the frequency and impact of such accusations. It would also give us a much easier counter to such accusations: "Haven't you read our press releases?" Of course, each press release would mention other facts about Mickaboo and tenets of our mission and vision, all in context of the primary topic, and would feature quotes from Tammy, Michelle, et al. And, yes, some press releases would be somewhat redundant to the information that's on our "Upcoming Events" page. The advantage to a separate press release is that we could keep it for posterity and expound on the details of the event and other important information. With all of this in mind, does anyone have thoughts about what would be good fodder for our next press release? Is it too late to do write-ups on the Solano Stroll or Folsom Zoo presence? How about the Mickacoo fundraiser? --VH

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Re: [Media-advisors] Checking in . . . .
by Elizabeth Y 07 Sep '10

07 Sep '10

*How about the Mickacoo fundraiser?* Thank you but no thank you, I think. It's at my home and I'd prefer to keep this within our Boo & Coo circle rather than publicize it via the media. I'd love to see y'all there though. 8 ) e -----Original Message----- From: Vincent J. Hrovat <1217(a)vhrovat.org> Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 10:11 AM To: 'Mickaboo media advisor team' <media-advisors(a)mickaboo.org> Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Checking in . . . . > We do need actual news to hang them on Agreed, absolutely. I was thinking of the following as newsworthy topics: -- Strategic new partnerships with pet stores or shelters. One example might be when we started doing classes and events at the WC PFE. Technically, this expanded an existing partnership but it gave us a bigger presence in the East Bay / Contra Costa County, which has been kind of a blind spot for us for a while. We might have to parse back and forth on the definition of "strategic" but, for starters, it needs to be more than a pickle jar for donations at their checkstand. -- Fairly major upcoming events such as adoption fairs, particularly those done in partnership with shelters. Again, we would have to decide, perhaps on a case=by-case basis, what constitutes a "major" event. One example for consideration is the multi-rescue adoption fair done at HSSV earlier this year. -- This is a new idea to the group, but I think that we should consider sending out quarterly press releases with some accurate but high-level statistics. I.E., Mickaboo took in 99 birds and spend $99K on veterinary bills in Q3 2010. Since we are a 501(c)3, this information is available to anyone who wants it anyway, but, as we have heard, there's a kneejerk accusation that we are a for-profit enterprise from people who didn't bother to -- and, frankly, didn't need to -- look up our numbers. Posting stuff like this in a press release makes us look more "corporate" (which , granted, some people might not like) and should minimize the frequency and impact of such accusations. It would also give us a much easier counter to such accusations: "Haven't you read our press releases?" Of course, each press release would mention other facts about Mickaboo and tenets of our mission and vision, all in context of the primary topic, and would feature quotes from Tammy, Michelle, et al. And, yes, some press releases would be somewhat redundant to the information that's on our "Upcoming Events" page. The advantage to a separate press release is that we could keep it for posterity and expound on the details of the event and other important information. With all of this in mind, does anyone have thoughts about what would be good fodder for our next press release? Is it too late to do write-ups on the Solano Stroll or Folsom Zoo presence? How about the Mickacoo fundraiser? --VH

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Re: [Media-advisors] Checking in . . . .
by Elizabeth Y 07 Sep '10

07 Sep '10

400-500 -----Original Message----- From: Patricia Blau <pblau(a)sonic.net> Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 12:02 PM To: Mickaboo media advisor team <media-advisors(a)mickaboo.org> Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Checking in . . . . how many words? On Sep 7, 2010, at 11:37 AM, Elizabeth Y wrote: > Eileen Mitchell always wants more bird stories for her twice weekly > Pet Tales in the SF Chron... Email to Eileen Mitchell > <mitchei(a)msn.com>; > > e > > -----Original Message----- > From: Patricia Blau <pblau(a)sonic.net> > Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 9:16 AM > To: Mickaboo media advisor team <media-advisors(a)mickaboo.org> > Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Checking in . . . . > > Hi all, > I'm happy to help with press releases. We do need actual news to > hang them on, however. If we send out press releases that aren't > tied to a relevant (hopefully occasionally controversial) subject, > pretty soon it will be like crying wolf. Papers are desperate for > things to sell their papers, so it's important that we try to feed > that machine. > > However, papers are also desperate for interesting, and especially > free, articles. Maggie has written, for example, some great articles > for the Marin IJ under the weekly Marin Humane Society column. It's > possible that we could pre-write an article around an issue that > would be news-worthy, and maybe a columnist would happily revise it > slightly & publish it (or most of it). I'm not sure about this. It > would be helpful if those of us with connections to columnists would > see what might "play," or how we might engage in this, perhaps > quarterly or something. > > p > > On Sep 7, 2010, at 6:38 AM, Pamela Lee wrote: > >> We're all agreeing on stuff to be done. Good step 1! Now, who is >> signing up to *do* it? >> >> Sent from my Peek - Pam >> ------------------------------------- >> Karen Watkins<karen.watkins(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> Thanks, Vinny. I have been thinking the same thing >> as I enjoy a chance to make progress on other >> things. I agree -- we need to work on these two >> documents. I believe Maggie is on this list now. >> >> >> >> >> >> To: 'Mickaboo media advisor team' >> Subject: [Media-advisors] Checking in . . . . >> >> >> >> Hi, >> >> >> >> I hope that you are all having a good Labor Day >> holiday. As we are all aware, the proposed SF >> legislation on pet sales and the ACWC's >> discussions thereupon are on hold until next year. >> This has given many of us a chance to catch our >> breath and re-concentrate our focus on Mickaboo's >> core operations of rescue, rehabilitation and >> rehoming companion birds. (I know, mentioning >> "catch our breath" and "Mickaboo's core >> operations" in the same sentence could be >> considered an oxymoron.) >> >> >> >> However, this Media Matters group had developed a >> few discussion and action topics which I think >> should continue to move forward as much as >> possible for the good of the organization. >> Specifically: >> >> >> >> 1.) Jonathan has drafted a "Lies and >> Misstatements" document. We were discussing the >> possibility of trimming this document to keep the >> attention span of the youtube generation, and >> finding appropriate distribution media (both web >> and printed) that would make this document >> portable and accessible. >> >> >> >> 2.) Patricia Blau created a press release, I >> believe Mickaboo's first, stating our support for >> the proposes SF legislation. We talked about >> creating more standardized press releases to >> document elements of our operations which our >> opponents tend to dismiss - for example, our >> strategic partnerships and activities with pet >> stores and shelters. It might even be a good idea, >> IMO, to publish high-level quarterly statistics >> about intakes, vet bills, etc. in press releases >> where they'd be readily available. >> >> >> >> Both of these topics will require some writing, >> document formatting, technical infrastructure and >> web development. We discussed inviting Maggie Rufo >> to help us with the writing from a journalist's >> perspective, and mentioned Walt Boeninger as a >> possible candidate to do some of the web design >> and setup. >> >> >> >> I haven't heard any discussion on these in weeks, >> since the on-hold announcement from ACWC. I know >> that we've all been busy and have reprioritized, >> but I wanted to ping the rest of you to see if we >> there's been any activity on these and, if not, to >> see if we can pick them up where we left off. I >> know that we all want to be ready when the arrows >> begin flying again, on the pet sale ban or any >> other topic. Having a history of relevant press >> releases and a document to clear up >> "misunderstandings" will give us a stronger >> starting position going into such fracases and >> will help us in the interim. >> >> >> >> Thanks. >> >> >> >> Vincent J. Hrovat >> >> >> > > > >

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Re: [Media-advisors] Checking in . . . .
by Elizabeth Y 07 Sep '10

07 Sep '10

Eileen Mitchell always wants more bird stories for her twice weekly Pet Tales in the SF Chron... Email to Eileen Mitchell <mitchei(a)msn.com>; e -----Original Message----- From: Patricia Blau <pblau(a)sonic.net> Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 9:16 AM To: Mickaboo media advisor team <media-advisors(a)mickaboo.org> Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Checking in . . . . Hi all, I'm happy to help with press releases. We do need actual news to hang them on, however. If we send out press releases that aren't tied to a relevant (hopefully occasionally controversial) subject, pretty soon it will be like crying wolf. Papers are desperate for things to sell their papers, so it's important that we try to feed that machine. However, papers are also desperate for interesting, and especially free, articles. Maggie has written, for example, some great articles for the Marin IJ under the weekly Marin Humane Society column. It's possible that we could pre-write an article around an issue that would be news-worthy, and maybe a columnist would happily revise it slightly & publish it (or most of it). I'm not sure about this. It would be helpful if those of us with connections to columnists would see what might "play," or how we might engage in this, perhaps quarterly or something. p On Sep 7, 2010, at 6:38 AM, Pamela Lee wrote: > We're all agreeing on stuff to be done. Good step 1! Now, who is > signing up to *do* it? > > Sent from my Peek - Pam > ------------------------------------- > Karen Watkins<karen.watkins(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Thanks, Vinny. I have been thinking the same thing > as I enjoy a chance to make progress on other > things. I agree -- we need to work on these two > documents. I believe Maggie is on this list now. > > > > > > To: 'Mickaboo media advisor team' > Subject: [Media-advisors] Checking in . . . . > > > > Hi, > > > > I hope that you are all having a good Labor Day > holiday. As we are all aware, the proposed SF > legislation on pet sales and the ACWC's > discussions thereupon are on hold until next year. > This has given many of us a chance to catch our > breath and re-concentrate our focus on Mickaboo's > core operations of rescue, rehabilitation and > rehoming companion birds. (I know, mentioning > "catch our breath" and "Mickaboo's core > operations" in the same sentence could be > considered an oxymoron.) > > > > However, this Media Matters group had developed a > few discussion and action topics which I think > should continue to move forward as much as > possible for the good of the organization. > Specifically: > > > > 1.) Jonathan has drafted a "Lies and > Misstatements" document. We were discussing the > possibility of trimming this document to keep the > attention span of the youtube generation, and > finding appropriate distribution media (both web > and printed) that would make this document > portable and accessible. > > > > 2.) Patricia Blau created a press release, I > believe Mickaboo's first, stating our support for > the proposes SF legislation. We talked about > creating more standardized press releases to > document elements of our operations which our > opponents tend to dismiss - for example, our > strategic partnerships and activities with pet > stores and shelters. It might even be a good idea, > IMO, to publish high-level quarterly statistics > about intakes, vet bills, etc. in press releases > where they'd be readily available. > > > > Both of these topics will require some writing, > document formatting, technical infrastructure and > web development. We discussed inviting Maggie Rufo > to help us with the writing from a journalist's > perspective, and mentioned Walt Boeninger as a > possible candidate to do some of the web design > and setup. > > > > I haven't heard any discussion on these in weeks, > since the on-hold announcement from ACWC. I know > that we've all been busy and have reprioritized, > but I wanted to ping the rest of you to see if we > there's been any activity on these and, if not, to > see if we can pick them up where we left off. I > know that we all want to be ready when the arrows > begin flying again, on the pet sale ban or any > other topic. Having a history of relevant press > releases and a document to clear up > "misunderstandings" will give us a stronger > starting position going into such fracases and > will help us in the interim. > > > > Thanks. > > > > Vincent J. Hrovat > > >

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Re: [Media-advisors] Checking in . . . .
by Elizabeth Y 07 Sep '10

07 Sep '10

And with all the flak we unfairly took as the problem rather than the solution, I think we should publicize numbers adopted too! e -----Original Message----- From: Vincent J. Hrovat <1217(a)vhrovat.org> Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 10:11 AM To: 'Mickaboo media advisor team' <media-advisors(a)mickaboo.org> Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Checking in . . . . > We do need actual news to hang them on Agreed, absolutely. I was thinking of the following as newsworthy topics: -- Strategic new partnerships with pet stores or shelters. One example might be when we started doing classes and events at the WC PFE. Technically, this expanded an existing partnership but it gave us a bigger presence in the East Bay / Contra Costa County, which has been kind of a blind spot for us for a while. We might have to parse back and forth on the definition of "strategic" but, for starters, it needs to be more than a pickle jar for donations at their checkstand. -- Fairly major upcoming events such as adoption fairs, particularly those done in partnership with shelters. Again, we would have to decide, perhaps on a case=by-case basis, what constitutes a "major" event. One example for consideration is the multi-rescue adoption fair done at HSSV earlier this year. -- This is a new idea to the group, but I think that we should consider sending out quarterly press releases with some accurate but high-level statistics. I.E., Mickaboo took in 99 birds and spend $99K on veterinary bills in Q3 2010. Since we are a 501(c)3, this information is available to anyone who wants it anyway, but, as we have heard, there's a kneejerk accusation that we are a for-profit enterprise from people who didn't bother to -- and, frankly, didn't need to -- look up our numbers. Posting stuff like this in a press release makes us look more "corporate" (which , granted, some people might not like) and should minimize the frequency and impact of such accusations. It would also give us a much easier counter to such accusations: "Haven't you read our press releases?" Of course, each press release would mention other facts about Mickaboo and tenets of our mission and vision, all in context of the primary topic, and would feature quotes from Tammy, Michelle, et al. And, yes, some press releases would be somewhat redundant to the information that's on our "Upcoming Events" page. The advantage to a separate press release is that we could keep it for posterity and expound on the details of the event and other important information. With all of this in mind, does anyone have thoughts about what would be good fodder for our next press release? Is it too late to do write-ups on the Solano Stroll or Folsom Zoo presence? How about the Mickacoo fundraiser? --VH

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PFE Stopped from Opening More Stores in SF
by Karen Watkins 07 Sep '10

07 Sep '10

C. W. Nevius has a column in today's Chronicle mentioning that Pet Food Express is not allowed to open more stores in SF. I would love to hear the details about that. Does AWC has the connections to find out what is behind that position? It is a permit issue so AWC isn't directly involved. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2 010/09/07/BAQ61F8IOC.DTL&tsp=1

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Checking in . . . .
by Vincent J. Hrovat 07 Sep '10

07 Sep '10

Hi, I hope that you are all having a good Labor Day holiday. As we are all aware, the proposed SF legislation on pet sales and the ACWC's discussions thereupon are on hold until next year. This has given many of us a chance to catch our breath and re-concentrate our focus on Mickaboo's core operations of rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming companion birds. (I know, mentioning "catch our breath" and "Mickaboo's core operations" in the same sentence could be considered an oxymoron.) However, this Media Matters group had developed a few discussion and action topics which I think should continue to move forward as much as possible for the good of the organization. Specifically: 1.) Jonathan has drafted a "Lies and Misstatements" document. We were discussing the possibility of trimming this document to keep the attention span of the youtube generation, and finding appropriate distribution media (both web and printed) that would make this document portable and accessible. 2.) Patricia Blau created a press release, I believe Mickaboo's first, stating our support for the proposes SF legislation. We talked about creating more standardized press releases to document elements of our operations which our opponents tend to dismiss - for example, our strategic partnerships and activities with pet stores and shelters. It might even be a good idea, IMO, to publish high-level quarterly statistics about intakes, vet bills, etc. in press releases where they'd be readily available. Both of these topics will require some writing, document formatting, technical infrastructure and web development. We discussed inviting Maggie Rufo to help us with the writing from a journalist's perspective, and mentioned Walt Boeninger as a possible candidate to do some of the web design and setup. I haven't heard any discussion on these in weeks, since the on-hold announcement from ACWC. I know that we've all been busy and have reprioritized, but I wanted to ping the rest of you to see if we there's been any activity on these and, if not, to see if we can pick them up where we left off. I know that we all want to be ready when the arrows begin flying again, on the pet sale ban or any other topic. Having a history of relevant press releases and a document to clear up "misunderstandings" will give us a stronger starting position going into such fracases and will help us in the interim. Thanks. Vincent J. Hrovat

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Re: [Media-advisors] Checking in . . . .
by Jonathan Harris 06 Sep '10

06 Sep '10

2 1