- Media-advisors - mickaboo.org

Re: [Media-advisors] Mickaboo should bring our 2010 $80K vet bills to the meeting
by Elizabeth Y 07 Aug '10

07 Aug '10

And Philip agrees. Nothing needs to be proved. We've all got more than enough real work. -----Original Message----- From: Michelle Yesney <msyesney(a)gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2010 10:27 PM To: Mickaboo media advisor team <media-advisors(a)mickaboo.org> Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Mickaboo should bring our 2010 $80K vet bills to the meeting Hold on. I don't think we have to prove anything to Rick French or anyone else about our vet bills. And I absolutely refuse to ask Pam to spend hours copying vet bills. The woman is being run off her feet. I'm also not sure that our vets want their bills broadcast to the media and everyone in between. Everyone in Bay Area will be asking for the same kinds of prices, for one thing. I think there is a better way to do this. Perhaps even a copy of part of our tax return? What are we trying to prove and to whom? who doubts our word about our vet bills? Michelle On Sat, Aug 7, 2010 at 5:03 PM, Pamela Lee <pambudgie(a)yahoo.com> wrote: And the copying work would fall to me .... I think I wouldn't need to redact anything, but I'll have to see. Certainly our credit card # would need to be hidden. Would a listing be good enough? (easier to do) And what are we trying to prove (sorry if I have missed the point) with this again? and, I'm trying to think of what takes priority - the otrs tix thing or this copying if you truly want copies. Cuz either effort will take hours. Sent from my Peek - Pam ------------------------------------- Elizabeth Young<adoptkings(a)gmail.com> wrote: I'd love to tell the Commissioners that we're bringing them copies of our vet bills for 2010 to date... that would be the way to expose Rick. ??? e On Sat, Aug 7, 2010 at 3:05 PM, Mary Long <atechi2(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Could we ask if he can have his veterinary invoices available, too? > (Letterhead intact, please) > > > --- On *Sat, 8/7/10, Karen Watkins <karen.watkins(a)gmail.com>* wrote: > > > From: Karen Watkins <karen.watkins(a)gmail.com> > > Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > To: "'Jonathan Harris'" <jonathanharris(a)earthlink.net>, "'Mickaboo media > advisor team'" <media-advisors(a)mickaboo.org> > Date: Saturday, August 7, 2010, 2:46 PM > > > We can ask if Rick will his financial statements available before the > vote. > > > > *From:* media-advisors-bounces(a)mickaboo.org [mailto: > media-advisors-bounces(a)mickaboo.org] *On Behalf Of *Jonathan Harris > *Sent:* Saturday, August 07, 2010 2:00 PM > *To:* Mickaboo media advisor team > *Subject:* Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > > > > You're right, of course. Nevertheless, it would be fun if someone > Thursday night could bring up Rick's boast/assurance in an offhanded way - > either to embarrass him either into admitting he's full of bluff 'n stuff or > worse that the facility refuses to open its doors to us, or to embarrass him > into wrangling us a guided tour. > > -j > > -----Original Message----- > From: "Vincent J. Hrovat" <1217(a)vhrovat.org> > Sent: Aug 7, 2010 3:50 PM > To: 'Mickaboo media advisor team' > Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > > > Jonathan, thank you for the insight. It sounds to me like the idea of us > visiting Central Pet / Preferred Birds was posited by Rick in his > from-the-hip mode (shoot first and ask questions later). I have serious > doubts about whether Central Pet would really let us visit their facility > for a show-and-tell; in fact, I think that any bird breeding and > distribution that they do is kept as out-of-the-public-eye as is legally > possible for a publicly-traded company. Besides, most of Rick's other > from-the-hip stuff is ill-advised at best. I also don't think it's wise to > dwell too much on this topic because, as others have said, the matter at > hand is the retailers and not the breeders, and it might obfuscate things to > put too much focus on what Central Pet is doing. > > > > On the other hand, I would really like to get as much about Central Pet > as we can. If at all possible, I would love to be able to get some real and > current information that we could pass on to Mira, other rescues, et al. > Elizabeth, do you think it would be prudent to follow up on this topic with > ACWC (if not with Rick directly) to see if it can lead anywhere? > > > > --VH > > > > *From:* media-advisors-bounces(a)mickaboo.org [mailto: > media-advisors-bounces(a)mickaboo.org] *On Behalf Of *Jonathan Harris > *Sent:* Saturday, August 07, 2010 12:30 AM > *To:* Mickaboo media advisor team > *Subject:* Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > > > I'm sorry to be sending this so late. Elizabeth - thank you for your > diligence in getting notes and names and reflections out to everyone! > > > It was a frustrating meeting in many ways. With an exception or two, I > think most in attendance were trying to be respectful, but without a > facilitator, contributions more-or-less depended on people's ability to > break in, which meant the discussion veered all over the place. Rick and > Claudia had their backs up and were not in a mood to listen. Much of the > time they were defensive, accusatory or simply obtuse, misinterpreting what > was said. > > > I was disappointed we were not able to steer the conversation more toward > the specific needs of birds, tho Elizabeth and I tried at various points

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Re: [Media-advisors] Mickaboo should bring our 2010 $80K vet bills to the meeting
by Elizabeth Y 07 Aug '10

07 Aug '10

And Philip agrees. Nothing needs to be proved. We've all got more than enough real workl -----Original Message----- From: Michelle Yesney <msyesney(a)gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2010 10:27 PM To: Mickaboo media advisor team <media-advisors(a)mickaboo.org> Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Mickaboo should bring our 2010 $80K vet bills to the meeting Hold on. I don't think we have to prove anything to Rick French or anyone else about our vet bills. And I absolutely refuse to ask Pam to spend hours copying vet bills. The woman is being run off her feet. I'm also not sure that our vets want their bills broadcast to the media and everyone in between. Everyone in Bay Area will be asking for the same kinds of prices, for one thing. I think there is a better way to do this. Perhaps even a copy of part of our tax return? What are we trying to prove and to whom? who doubts our word about our vet bills? Michelle On Sat, Aug 7, 2010 at 5:03 PM, Pamela Lee <pambudgie(a)yahoo.com> wrote: And the copying work would fall to me .... I think I wouldn't need to redact anything, but I'll have to see. Certainly our credit card # would need to be hidden. Would a listing be good enough? (easier to do) And what are we trying to prove (sorry if I have missed the point) with this again? and, I'm trying to think of what takes priority - the otrs tix thing or this copying if you truly want copies. Cuz either effort will take hours. Sent from my Peek - Pam ------------------------------------- Elizabeth Young<adoptkings(a)gmail.com> wrote: I'd love to tell the Commissioners that we're bringing them copies of our vet bills for 2010 to date... that would be the way to expose Rick. ??? e On Sat, Aug 7, 2010 at 3:05 PM, Mary Long <atechi2(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Could we ask if he can have his veterinary invoices available, too? > (Letterhead intact, please) > > > --- On *Sat, 8/7/10, Karen Watkins <karen.watkins(a)gmail.com>* wrote: > > > From: Karen Watkins <karen.watkins(a)gmail.com> > > Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > To: "'Jonathan Harris'" <jonathanharris(a)earthlink.net>, "'Mickaboo media > advisor team'" <media-advisors(a)mickaboo.org> > Date: Saturday, August 7, 2010, 2:46 PM > > > We can ask if Rick will his financial statements available before the > vote. > > > > *From:* media-advisors-bounces(a)mickaboo.org [mailto: > media-advisors-bounces(a)mickaboo.org] *On Behalf Of *Jonathan Harris > *Sent:* Saturday, August 07, 2010 2:00 PM > *To:* Mickaboo media advisor team > *Subject:* Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > > > > You're right, of course. Nevertheless, it would be fun if someone > Thursday night could bring up Rick's boast/assurance in an offhanded way - > either to embarrass him either into admitting he's full of bluff 'n stuff or > worse that the facility refuses to open its doors to us, or to embarrass him > into wrangling us a guided tour. > > -j > > -----Original Message----- > From: "Vincent J. Hrovat" <1217(a)vhrovat.org> > Sent: Aug 7, 2010 3:50 PM > To: 'Mickaboo media advisor team' > Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > > > Jonathan, thank you for the insight. It sounds to me like the idea of us > visiting Central Pet / Preferred Birds was posited by Rick in his > from-the-hip mode (shoot first and ask questions later). I have serious > doubts about whether Central Pet would really let us visit their facility > for a show-and-tell; in fact, I think that any bird breeding and > distribution that they do is kept as out-of-the-public-eye as is legally > possible for a publicly-traded company. Besides, most of Rick's other > from-the-hip stuff is ill-advised at best. I also don't think it's wise to > dwell too much on this topic because, as others have said, the matter at > hand is the retailers and not the breeders, and it might obfuscate things to > put too much focus on what Central Pet is doing. > > > > On the other hand, I would really like to get as much about Central Pet > as we can. If at all possible, I would love to be able to get some real and > current information that we could pass on to Mira, other rescues, et al. > Elizabeth, do you think it would be prudent to follow up on this topic with > ACWC (if not with Rick directly) to see if it can lead anywhere? > > > > --VH > > > > *From:* media-advisors-bounces(a)mickaboo.org [mailto: > media-advisors-bounces(a)mickaboo.org] *On Behalf Of *Jonathan Harris > *Sent:* Saturday, August 07, 2010 12:30 AM > *To:* Mickaboo media advisor team > *Subject:* Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > > > I'm sorry to be sending this so late. Elizabeth - thank you for your > diligence in getting notes and names and reflections out to everyone! > > > It was a frustrating meeting in many ways. With an exception or two, I > think most in attendance were trying to be respectful, but without a > facilitator, contributions more-or-less depended on people's ability to > break in, which meant the discussion veered all over the place. Rick and > Claudia had their backs up and were not in a mood to listen. Much of the > time they were defensive, accusatory or simply obtuse, misinterpreting what > was said. > > > I was disappointed we were not able to steer the conversation more toward > the specific needs of birds, tho Elizabeth and I tried at various points

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Re: [Media-advisors] Mickaboo should bring our 2010 $80K vet bills to the meeting
by Pamela Lee 07 Aug '10

07 Aug '10

And the copying work would fall to me .... I think I wouldn't need to redact anything, but I'll have to see. Certainly our credit card # would need to be hidden. Would a listing be good enough? (easier to do) And what are we trying to prove (sorry if I have missed the point) with this again? and, I'm trying to think of what takes priority - the otrs tix thing or this copying if you truly want copies. Cuz either effort will take hours. Sent from my Peek - Pam ------------------------------------- Elizabeth Young<adoptkings(a)gmail.com> wrote: I'd love to tell the Commissioners that we're bringing them copies of our vet bills for 2010 to date... that would be the way to expose Rick. ??? e On Sat, Aug 7, 2010 at 3:05 PM, Mary Long <atechi2(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Could we ask if he can have his veterinary invoices available, too? > (Letterhead intact, please) > > > --- On *Sat, 8/7/10, Karen Watkins <karen.watkins(a)gmail.com>* wrote: > > > From: Karen Watkins <karen.watkins(a)gmail.com> > > Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > To: "'Jonathan Harris'" <jonathanharris(a)earthlink.net>, "'Mickaboo media > advisor team'" <media-advisors(a)mickaboo.org> > Date: Saturday, August 7, 2010, 2:46 PM > > > We can ask if Rick will his financial statements available before the > vote. > > > > *From:* media-advisors-bounces(a)mickaboo.org [mailto: > media-advisors-bounces(a)mickaboo.org] *On Behalf Of *Jonathan Harris > *Sent:* Saturday, August 07, 2010 2:00 PM > *To:* Mickaboo media advisor team > *Subject:* Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > > > > You're right, of course. Nevertheless, it would be fun if someone > Thursday night could bring up Rick's boast/assurance in an offhanded way - > either to embarrass him either into admitting he's full of bluff 'n stuff or > worse that the facility refuses to open its doors to us, or to embarrass him > into wrangling us a guided tour. > > -j > > -----Original Message----- > From: "Vincent J. Hrovat" <1217(a)vhrovat.org> > Sent: Aug 7, 2010 3:50 PM > To: 'Mickaboo media advisor team' > Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > > > Jonathan, thank you for the insight. It sounds to me like the idea of us > visiting Central Pet / Preferred Birds was posited by Rick in his > from-the-hip mode (shoot first and ask questions later). I have serious > doubts about whether Central Pet would really let us visit their facility > for a show-and-tell; in fact, I think that any bird breeding and > distribution that they do is kept as out-of-the-public-eye as is legally > possible for a publicly-traded company. Besides, most of Rick's other > from-the-hip stuff is ill-advised at best. I also don't think it's wise to > dwell too much on this topic because, as others have said, the matter at > hand is the retailers and not the breeders, and it might obfuscate things to > put too much focus on what Central Pet is doing. > > > > On the other hand, I would really like to get as much about Central Pet > as we can. If at all possible, I would love to be able to get some real and > current information that we could pass on to Mira, other rescues, et al. > Elizabeth, do you think it would be prudent to follow up on this topic with > ACWC (if not with Rick directly) to see if it can lead anywhere? > > > > --VH > > > > *From:* media-advisors-bounces(a)mickaboo.org [mailto: > media-advisors-bounces(a)mickaboo.org] *On Behalf Of *Jonathan Harris > *Sent:* Saturday, August 07, 2010 12:30 AM > *To:* Mickaboo media advisor team > *Subject:* Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > > > I'm sorry to be sending this so late. Elizabeth - thank you for your > diligence in getting notes and names and reflections out to everyone! > > > It was a frustrating meeting in many ways. With an exception or two, I > think most in attendance were trying to be respectful, but without a > facilitator, contributions more-or-less depended on people's ability to > break in, which meant the discussion veered all over the place. Rick and > Claudia had their backs up and were not in a mood to listen. Much of the > time they were defensive, accusatory or simply obtuse, misinterpreting what > was said. > > > I was disappointed we were not able to steer the conversation more toward > the specific needs of birds, tho Elizabeth and I tried at various points. > Good for Elizabeth, who caught them on budgies/parakeets and brought up Puck > (the bird with the largest vocabulary) to show them that common, small birds > have intelligence and complex needs similar to the larger ones who get the > spotlight. (We must keep attention focused on the "throw-away" birds, as > Tammy calls them.) > > > The one proposal seriously discussed was Teresa's SPARC. Her presentation > was fantastic. We may not be happy with aspects of the proposal, but it was > a detailed, specific, and well thought through compromise that could start > to change people's consciousness about birds and other small animals as well > as slow down bird purchases by stopping some impulse buys and weeding out > some unsuitable candidates. Teresa was very clearheaded, moderate and > conciliatory in tone, and able to answer all her interlocutors' many > objections. > > > Elizabeth's 'sanctuary city' idea actually fit very well with Teresa's > 'educational' proposal. What we are trying to create is a fundamental change > in people's understanding of birds - their biological and psychological > nature and what that requires in terms of their care and how they should be > raised and 'sold.' Hopefully, this would lead to fewer birds in SF homes > and better care for birds who remain. And we hope too it would set an > example for the rest of the US. Such changes of consciousness are possible > in a relatively short time. Most people I know who have dogs or cats today > got them at shelters; that wasn't true when I was a child. > > > Rick and Claudia's response to all this was that they already are doing > sufficient education and vetting of their clientele. This was one of their > main "broken record" points. I tried to challenge them, citing personal > experience (Patricia and I bought 4 canaries at an SF pet store and got no > very strong or clear guidance about their care) as well as observation (that > anecdote, in which a young woman was in and out of a pet store in 20 minutes > with a new parrotlet she bought because she came in bored with her > cockatiel). Rick replied that there are "exceptions," a few bad apples, but > that's not typical. That was another mantra - exceptions. The homeless birds > presumably are exceptions too, a problem at the periphery having to do with > individual failures but not deriving from the very nature of the business. > So he and Claudia believe these exceptions can be handled by things like > adoption fairs, if only rescue groups would cooperate. Teresa and Marcy > (that pair could have their own series on network TV as a good cop/bad cop > team!) tore into them on this and on their whole claim of being responsible, > citing e.g., pet stores' refusal even to neuter their rodents and rabbits. > > > Teresa also was wonderfully clear about the the real evil being "at the > back end," as she put it - breeders and distributors - offering store owners > a graceful way out, the chance to dissociate themselves from the worst > abuses of the "industry." But they wouldn't even meet us halfway on that. We > tried to press them on PetCo and the factory farming of birds in the Kaytee > preferred whatever program (senior moment). Rick said he had no problem with > PetCo and defended Kaytee. True to his arrogant self, he asked if I had ever > visited or even seen pictures of their facility. I said no, and had he? He > admitted he hadn't either, but he knew somebody and he was sure they'd love > to us around. Elizabeth and I looked at each other and shared one of the > afternoon's few smiles. > > > My impression of Claudia was a rather sour, bitter person; she thinks we're > nasty and was spoiling for a fight right out of the starting gate > (unfortunately, there was this Marcy person waiting to take her up on the > challenge; fortunately, her store is in Berkeley so we don't have to deal > with her). My feeling is that Rick was simply looking for any and all > excuses not to support even the modest and creative compromise that Teresa > proposed. His mind was made up and he came simply to stonewall and beat > things down. Ultimately I believe his intransigence is rooted in business > interests. He expressed an anti-regulatory ideology of free choice by the > customer working with an ethical business being in everyone's best interest. > But there is also a strong sense of personal and professional pride > involved. He was constantly pulling rank ("... and how long have YOU had > birds?"), discounting anyone else's observations. We (Elizabeth and Sally > and I) tried to have an amicable conversation with him and Claudia after the > main meeting broke up. I was trying to probe what they (R&C) considered to > be good bird care and appropriate customer guidance in terms of such things > as social interaction, enrichment, and out-of-cage time. It was pretty clear > they were much less concerned about prolonged confinement or isolation than > we are; their attitude was patronizing and dismissive of any arguments to > the contrary. They feel they have vastly more experience and knowledge than > we do and they are outraged that some motley crew of johnny-come-lately > radicals and do-gooders wants to impose standards telling them how to do > what they've been doing (in Rick's case) for 40+ years. They see themselves > as responsible professionals. Claudia described her job as matching the > right bird with the right person. She told of how she would question people > about their lifestyle and e.g., discourage customers from getting a cockatoo > if they had or were even planning to have children (I don't doubt that she > and Rick have indeed discouraged a few irresponsible potential buyers - the > worst of the worst - but of course they do not discourage impulse > purchases). They also said they were ongoing sources of information and > guidance for customers with questions about their birds (and I'm sure that's > also true, whether or not it's always good advice). And they both claim to > have rehomed many birds. > > > We no longer have to prove there is a crisis in homeless/unwanted birds. I > didn't hear anybody denying it this afternoon, despite the doublethink > implicit in seeing it as a "peripheral" problem. Still, we have the stats, > and we should not let up in broadcasting them (thanks, Martha! and I like > Vinny's suggestion - especially as testimony for the Aug. 12 AWC meeting). I > also didn't hear anybody accusing us of being money makers. But if we want > even to try working with these stores, there still is their > self-image/ideology to contend with. In order to accomplish anything, we > would need to have comprehensive and detailed discussions about bird needs > and bird care, and I doubt they're interested in doing that. If they aren't, > and they aren't willing to compromise meaningfully in any other way, I > suppose Marcy is right. Why not go for the ban? > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Elizabeth Young > Sent: Aug 7, 2010 1:27 AM > To: Mickaboo media advisor team > Subject: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: *Philip Gerrie* <glassgerrie(a)gmail.com<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=glassgerrie@gmail.com> > > > Date: Fri, Aug 6, 2010 at 10:24 PM > Subject: Re: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > To: SaveABunny(a)aol.com<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=SaveABunny@aol.com> > Cc: Rose Harris <harris.rose(a)att.net<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=harris.rose@att.net>>, > "Elliot M. Katz DVM" <emk(a)idausa.org<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=emk@idausa.org>>, > Elizabeth Young <adoptkings(a)gmail.com<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=adoptkings@gmail.com>>, > Sally Stephens <stephensfw(a)mindspring.com<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=stephensfw@mindspring.com>>, > Pam Hemphill <pam.hemphill(a)gmail.com<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=pam.hemphill@gmail.com>>, > Kim Flaherty <kflaherty(a)pacbell.net<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kflaherty@pacbell.net>>, > Kat.Brown(a)sfgov.org<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Kat.Brown@sfgov.org>, > jchick73(a)yahoo.com<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jchick73@yahoo.com>, > Teresa Murphy <teresa(a)cavyspirit.com<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=teresa@cavyspirit.com> > > > > > I agree with Marcy's comments. > > > > I suggest getting the word out about the next ACWC meeting coming up this > Thursday at 5:30 room 408 at City Hall to those that would like to see a > ban. Last month the Animal Company was out in numbers. We should also stop > by local pet supply stores to hear what they think and for them to possibly > come to speak at the meeting. > > > > The phone book has listings of pet stores and pet supply stores. > > > > Thanks, Philip > > > > > > On Aug 6, 2010, at 9:54 PM, SaveABunny(a)aol.com<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=SaveABunny@aol.com>wrote: > > > > > HI all, > > After sitting in on the meeting today with the pet store owners trying to > determine if a compromise was possible versus a complete ban on the sale of > animals, here's my impressions (for what they are worth): > > > > > The owner of the Animal Company is essentially not really willing > to compromise. He and his friend, Claudia from The Basic Bird in Berkeley, > are both very antagonistic, looking for confrontation and eager to distort > facts and statements to their favor. While they say they agree to > "education' they are not really willing to do anything different, since they > already feel like they know it all and don't want rescues "telling them what > to do". They feel that putting up a flyer in their store about a rescue > group is doing enough. > > Recommendation: If possible isolate them. Position them as hardliners vs. > other more workable stores. These two are the "leaders" and the people who > are causing the majority of ill will and creating PR opportunities for > themselves as the victims. > > > > > Personally, I think it's a big mistake to focus so much time and energy > on trying to placate the very few stores that DO sell animals. The majority > of stores in SF do not sell animals. This very important point is being lost > in the mind of the public and the media as it seems like a large number of > small businesses are being penalized somehow and that's simply not true. > > > > Kat, is it possible to get some statistics on the number of stores that do > or do not sell animals? > > > > While a workable compromise with education would be nice, I do not think > that will happen without some sort of oversight---based on the lack of > current educational info being given out by these stores. Just because > someone has been in business for 30 years, it doesn't equate to knowing > updated or proper care for the animals. > > > > In summary, I think a strong strategy would be to approach the majority of > stores that do NOT sell animals to get them to help back a ban. Being able > to demonstrate that it's possible to be profitable as a pet store without > selling animals is key and is an excellent discussion to use in PR. Nothing > would be more powerful than having the backing of a significant number of > pet store owners in SF. > > > > Thanks again everyone for being such a great advocate for the animals, > > > > Marcy Schaaf > Founder, SaveABunny > www.saveabunny.org > www.saveabunny.etsy.com > 415-388-2790 > "A New Generation of Rabbit Rescue" > Save A Bunny. Save A Life. > > > > > > > > > > > -- > 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 > > > > -----Inline Attachment Follows----- > > > > > > > -- 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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FW: Follow up from yesterday's Alternatives to the Ban mtg
by Elizabeth Y 07 Aug '10

07 Aug '10

-----Original Message----- From: Philip Gerrie <glassgerrie(a)gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2010 7:58 PM To: Elizabeth Young <adoptkings(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: Follow up from yesterday's Alternatives to the Ban mtg hi Elizabeth, I am not the least bit confused. Rick and associates have done wonders for Mickaboo and all the birds. I want to call this something catchy. Nathan had his CAPA, Companion Animal Protection Act. For no-kill legislation. a ban on retail sale of dogs, cats, smalls, and birds. Philip On Aug 7, 2010, at 4:13 PM, Elizabeth Young wrote: Hello, Commissioners- I wanted to share with you how inadequate to and frustrated with the task I feel of speaking on behalf of all the homeless birds. Ever since yesterday's meeting ended, my head has been filled with all the contradictions that were made and uncontested, all the falsehoods unchallenged, and all the points that the birds needed made but that I failed to make. I want to urge you- if there is anything bird-related that you are confused about in the many discrepancies between bird sellers and bird rescuers, PLEASE do not hesitate to seek clarification. The birds have a truth all their own and I truly wish I was better able to connect you to it. A humane community cannot breed and sell creatures that are also being euthanized as surplus. All best, Elizabeth -- 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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FW: Follow up from yesterday's Alternatives to the Ban mtg
by Elizabeth Y 07 Aug '10

07 Aug '10

-----Original Message----- From: Pam Hemphill <pam.hemphill(a)gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2010 8:32 PM To: Elizabeth Young <adoptkings(a)gmail.com> Cc: Philip Gerrie <glassgerrie(a)gmail.com>; Sally Stephens <stephensfw(a)mindspring.com>; Jonathan Harris <jonathanharris(a)earthlink.net> Subject: Re: Follow up from yesterday's Alternatives to the Ban mtg Elizabeth, Thanks! I think that your last sentence says it all. Amen! Pam On Sat, Aug 7, 2010 at 4:13 PM, Elizabeth Young <adoptkings(a)gmail.com> wrote: Hello, Commissioners- I wanted to share with you how inadequate to and frustrated with the task I feel of speaking on behalf of all the homeless birds. Ever since yesterday's meeting ended, my head has been filled with all the contradictions that were made and uncontested, all the falsehoods unchallenged, and all the points that the birds needed made but that I failed to make. I want to urge you- if there is anything bird-related that you are confused about in the many discrepancies between bird sellers and bird rescuers, PLEASE do not hesitate to seek clarification. The birds have a truth all their own and I truly wish I was better able to connect you to it. A humane community cannot breed and sell creatures that are also being euthanized as surplus. All best, Elizabeth -- 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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FW: "Parrots"
by Elizabeth Y 07 Aug '10

07 Aug '10

-----Original Message----- From: Philip Gerrie <glassgerrie(a)gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2010 8:09 PM To: Elizabeth Young <adoptkings(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: "Parrots" i'm not concerned about numbers. Any number is too many. Philip On Aug 7, 2010, at 11:42 AM, Elizabeth Young wrote: Let me know if you want help reviewing/clarifying SFACC bird numbers. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Elizabeth Young <adoptkings(a)gmail.com> Date: Fri, Aug 6, 2010 at 10:17 PM Subject: "Parrots" To: Kat Brown <kat.brown(a)sfgov.org> Cc: Karen Watkins <karen.watkins(a)gmail.com>, Michelle Yesney <msyesney(a)gmail.com>, Tammy Azzaro <tammyazzaro(a)gmail.com> Hi, Kat- I'm so glad you were at today's meeting - thank you for making time to be there. And I'm so glad that we have identified a source of confusion when we Mickaboo and parrot folks speak of "parrots" as contrasted to when SFACC speaks of parrots ala "20 parrots taken into SFACC in 2009" (and "51 parakeets" and "2 budgerigars") that can be clarified. In the bird world, hookbills (budgies=parakeets, cockatiels, ringnecks, lovebirds, conures, amazons, eclectus, pionus, poicephalus, cockatoos, macaws, greys, etc.) are all parrots. Finches and canaries are considered softbills (as are doves and pigeons). I'm sure Mickaboo could help to review and make suggestions regarding the way "parrots" and other birds are counted at SFACC. Also- I've noticed when at SFACC that birds aren't always correctly identified on their kennel cards (chukars labeled as quail, pigeons as doves and vice a versa, an amazon labeled as a conure, etc). Perhaps some system can be created to ID birds more exactly. I bet we could figure out a way to help with that (by recommending a reference book or website or creating a picture collage of frequently received birds or ??). It feels important to me! (And I've cc'd Mickaboo leaders because I think it is important to them too.) How many "hookbills" did SFACC receive in 2009? All best, Elizabeth -- 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 -- 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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FW: Alternatives to the Ban Meeting
by Elizabeth Y 07 Aug '10

07 Aug '10

-----Original Message----- From: Philip Gerrie <glassgerrie(a)gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2010 8:08 PM To: Elizabeth Young <adoptkings(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: Alternatives to the Ban Meeting Very good notes!! I talked with a friend of mine today. A kaique owner. She said the only real education about birds is that do not belong in cages. Period. Unless you have a full flight aviary and can dedicate every waking hour to your birds you should not have them. She feels bad every single day having to leave them alone for 12 hours while she works. Philip On Aug 7, 2010, at 11:40 AM, Elizabeth Young wrote: my notes, part two of two. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Elizabeth Young <adoptkings(a)gmail.com> Date: Fri, Aug 6, 2010 at 6:38 PM Subject: Re: Alternatives to the Ban Meeting To: Mickaboo media advisor team <media-advisors(a)mickaboo.org> I'm back and yes, I do need a bourbon. Make it a double. My notes are incomplete because sometimes I was just too dumbstruck to keep writing. I'm going to share those bits that I did get down that I think bear follow up. Vinny's reconnaissance on Central Pet is exactly the sort of outcome I hope will come from these notes as even typing them is perpetuating great feelings of ickiness. Jonathan- I invite and encourage you to correct me where I misstate. Yes- it is Central Pet and Rick works closely with them, says they're the biggest distributor in the country and yes, he did offer that he was sure they'd welcome us and yes, I think we should take him up on that offer. Teresa's idea which you will likely hear more about from the Commission is called SPARC (Small Pet Adoption Rescue Coalition). She advocates for a "separation of church and state" meaning that to have pet sellers involved in the Coalition would be a conflict of interest. Thinks that rescues, shelters, ACCs and vets should be the determiners of the education and certification process and that pet sellers should agree to only sell to SPARC certified customers. Rick would be happy to sell to SPARC certified customers in addition to his regulars. (He's been working with birds since 1969 and I would say that his pride is very wounded that Mickaboo does not have more respect for his bird prowess.) Sally is very interested in this and really likes it because it is a compromise and neither side gets everything they want (rescues don't get the ban, sellers have to sell to the certified). It would be an improvement over current situation. The way this would help with breeding is that it would reduce supply (correction- demand). I offered my hope that SF will pass the ban and become a Sanctuary City that rehomes unwanted pets rather than continues to breed and euthanize them. We all agree that education is the key and I raised the issue that education is only as good as it is meaningful- handing out a flyer isn't enough and it is only working if you are seeing attrition- potential customers walking away saying, Oh, I didn't know that! I asked what percentage of customers pet sellers are willing to lose to weed out irresponsible pet buyers but it went unanswered. Jonathan recounted his experience where a bird buyer unhappy with his previous purchase swapped for another bird and was sent home with no more education but hearty guarantees of future success and a quick forgetting of the cockatiel he had returned. Rick, who loves to edutain with anecdotes, rushed to dismiss it as an example that the world isn't perfect. Rick thinks adoption fairs at his store would solve everything. (He considers them education while I consider them PR.) Marcy would place rescue rabbits in pet stores IF they weren't selling unaltered animals. Mickaboo never spoke to the adoption fair issue at all. I got the feeling that Teresa's "separation of church and state" (pet sellers and rescuers) and the conflict of interest inherent in pet selling made sense to a majority of the folks there. Pet sellers feel very pleased with their practices and don't perceive themselves to be a part of the problem. I pointed out that there is a problem and Mickaboo and all the other rescues are the evidence of that problem. All us rescue folks, including SFACC, agreed that we would LOVE to be put out of business. I encouraged the pet sellers, who were bragging about the rehoming they do, to do more. I suggested Rick post a sign saying that he is willing to rehome unwanted birds. He didn't seem to like the idea. IMPORTANT REALIZATION: SFACC separates birds out and so when, as today, Kat quoted that "20 parrots came into ACC in 2009" they are leaving out the "51 parakeets" and "2 budgerigars" and and and! She and I agreed that those categories need attention and that they need to get help from experts. I'd LOVE to connect a Mickaboo volunteer with Deputy Director Kat Brown to get help on that right away. I see birds mislabled there all the time and that's another issue- confirming species before labeling and then reporting numbers in ways that are understood by all. Kat also really wants the numbers of animals sold from pet stores and they weren't comfortable with that at all. Rick said, What's next, you want to see my checkbook? And I said, Yes, in fact you offered to open your books for comparison with Mickaboo and it's in the 7/8 SF ACWC meeting minutes. So then I put out my hand until he shook it that we would open our books and share with each other. I realize that I am not authorized to do any such thing but, if you're interested, Rick shook in front of lots of witnesses. He is scandalized that Mickaboo has taken in "$131K in donations". Peter, Dana Strome's husband, feels that the Florida sanctuary that he and Dana are working with that is reintroducing parrots into the wild as well as the Indonesian island that is being set aside for Moluccan's will be a big help for the bird crisis that doesn't exist (my words). I asked for the name of the project and the best he could offer was "Tony Silva near Miami" and he said he'd have Dana get the name to me. Marcy took a stand of solidarity with Mickaboo saying that she wouldn't put her rabbits in Rick's store (which she says she'd love to do) unless Mickaboo was in support. She said, "I can't work with stores that are contemptuous of rescue." Kat is going to email Rick the findings about PETCO that involve all the dead birds in the freezer and so that should be available to us to if we want it. Though it may be the same document which Maggie has shared with me and I'm attaching here. At the 7/8 meeting, Rick said his vet was Alex Herman. His wife Ellen said Dr. Galvin. Today, at the meeting, Rick said that his file was the thickest one that his vet had in "his office" which I took to mean Dr. Galvin's (who has lost his license due to legal action). Jaime (the guy that was in the Parrots of Telegraph Hill movie) and who used to have a bird store in SF offered to do wing and nail clips for us and I told him that we use avian vets and techs but are always looking for more help and volunteers. His number is 516-0798. Rick has hired Singer Associates, Inc, Public Affairs & Corporate Communications and his Account Manager Christy Seto was there. She didn't sit close enough to kick him though so I'm not sure if he's getting his money's worth. Who's coming to the 8/12 SF ACWC meeting? On Fri, Aug 6, 2010 at 4:26 PM, Elizabeth Y <adoptkings(a)gmail.com> wrote: I'm typing on my phone so will be brief- -Teresa of Cavy rescue & Marcy of SaveABunny were both there and very constructive. -Jonathan and I were there repping for Mickaboo and birds -Rick from Animal Co & his hired PR Singer Assoc. and Claudia from Basic Bird in Berkeley and Jaime (used to own SF bird store) and Dana's (Wing Foundation) husband Peter were there as well as Philip, Pam & Sally from SF ACWC and Kat from SFACC. Sellers want to host adoption fairs at their stores, don't feel themselves to be a part of the problem at all. Feel Kaytee would welcome us into their facilities (Pet Central headquartered in Walnut Creek). Teresa suggests an education/certification program for pet buyers like getting a license before buying a pet and stores agreeing to only sell to certified buyers. Rick doesn't want constraint. Marcy standing in solidarity with rescues, won't allow Rick to house her rescue rabbits unless Mickaboo is in agreement. All agree education is key, no one agrees on what that means. Pet sellers are already doing education and see homeless animals as somebody else's problem (my words). Nothing decided, feel like I need a shower. If I had to call it, I'd say Philip & Pam are leaning ban and Sally looking for a compromise. Elizabeth Y www.RescueReport.org -- 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 -- 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 <Petco.Filed Judgment.PDF><PetCo_NovatoAdvance070710.pdf>

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Re: [Media-advisors] FW: Would copies of Mickaboo vet bills or intakes be of any use?
by Jonathan Harris 07 Aug '10

07 Aug '10

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FW: Would copies of Mickaboo vet bills or intakes be of any use?
by Elizabeth Y 07 Aug '10

07 Aug '10

fyi -----Original Message----- From: Philip Gerrie <glassgerrie(a)gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2010 7:48 PM To: Elizabeth Young <adoptkings(a)gmail.com> Cc: Pam Hemphill <pam.hemphill(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: Would copies of Mickaboo vet bills or intakes be of any use? Don't worry about anything. The birds have made their case with your help. You first alerted us to the birds plight. The cat's out of the bag and can't go back in. Philip On Aug 7, 2010, at 5:30 PM, Elizabeth Young wrote: Hello- Mickaboo is wondering if bringing our $80K worth of vet bills for 2010 year to date or all the requests to surrender to the 8/12 meeting would be of any value but, because pulling and copying and redacting the records is a lot of work for an already over-worked volunteer team, we wanted to get your input. Would that be of any help to the Commission? Or, perhaps asked another way, is there anything you need from Mickaboo? Thanks, Elizabeth -- 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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Mickaboo should bring our 2010 $80K vet bills to the meeting
by Elizabeth Young 07 Aug '10

07 Aug '10

I'd love to tell the Commissioners that we're bringing them copies of our vet bills for 2010 to date... that would be the way to expose Rick. ??? e On Sat, Aug 7, 2010 at 3:05 PM, Mary Long <atechi2(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Could we ask if he can have his veterinary invoices available, too? > (Letterhead intact, please) > > > --- On *Sat, 8/7/10, Karen Watkins <karen.watkins(a)gmail.com>* wrote: > > > From: Karen Watkins <karen.watkins(a)gmail.com> > > Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > To: "'Jonathan Harris'" <jonathanharris(a)earthlink.net>, "'Mickaboo media > advisor team'" <media-advisors(a)mickaboo.org> > Date: Saturday, August 7, 2010, 2:46 PM > > > We can ask if Rick will his financial statements available before the > vote. > > > > *From:* media-advisors-bounces(a)mickaboo.org [mailto: > media-advisors-bounces(a)mickaboo.org] *On Behalf Of *Jonathan Harris > *Sent:* Saturday, August 07, 2010 2:00 PM > *To:* Mickaboo media advisor team > *Subject:* Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > > > > You're right, of course. Nevertheless, it would be fun if someone > Thursday night could bring up Rick's boast/assurance in an offhanded way - > either to embarrass him either into admitting he's full of bluff 'n stuff or > worse that the facility refuses to open its doors to us, or to embarrass him > into wrangling us a guided tour. > > -j > > -----Original Message----- > From: "Vincent J. Hrovat" <1217(a)vhrovat.org> > Sent: Aug 7, 2010 3:50 PM > To: 'Mickaboo media advisor team' > Subject: Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > > > Jonathan, thank you for the insight. It sounds to me like the idea of us > visiting Central Pet / Preferred Birds was posited by Rick in his > from-the-hip mode (shoot first and ask questions later). I have serious > doubts about whether Central Pet would really let us visit their facility > for a show-and-tell; in fact, I think that any bird breeding and > distribution that they do is kept as out-of-the-public-eye as is legally > possible for a publicly-traded company. Besides, most of Rick’s other > from-the-hip stuff is ill-advised at best. I also don’t think it’s wise to > dwell too much on this topic because, as others have said, the matter at > hand is the retailers and not the breeders, and it might obfuscate things to > put too much focus on what Central Pet is doing. > > > > On the other hand, I would really like to get as much about Central Pet > as we can. If at all possible, I would love to be able to get some real and > current information that we could pass on to Mira, other rescues, et al. > Elizabeth, do you think it would be prudent to follow up on this topic with > ACWC (if not with Rick directly) to see if it can lead anywhere? > > > > --VH > > > > *From:* media-advisors-bounces(a)mickaboo.org [mailto: > media-advisors-bounces(a)mickaboo.org] *On Behalf Of *Jonathan Harris > *Sent:* Saturday, August 07, 2010 12:30 AM > *To:* Mickaboo media advisor team > *Subject:* Re: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > > > I'm sorry to be sending this so late. Elizabeth - thank you for your > diligence in getting notes and names and reflections out to everyone! > > > It was a frustrating meeting in many ways. With an exception or two, I > think most in attendance were trying to be respectful, but without a > facilitator, contributions more-or-less depended on people's ability to > break in, which meant the discussion veered all over the place. Rick and > Claudia had their backs up and were not in a mood to listen. Much of the > time they were defensive, accusatory or simply obtuse, misinterpreting what > was said. > > > I was disappointed we were not able to steer the conversation more toward > the specific needs of birds, tho Elizabeth and I tried at various points. > Good for Elizabeth, who caught them on budgies/parakeets and brought up Puck > (the bird with the largest vocabulary) to show them that common, small birds > have intelligence and complex needs similar to the larger ones who get the > spotlight. (We must keep attention focused on the "throw-away" birds, as > Tammy calls them.) > > > The one proposal seriously discussed was Teresa's SPARC. Her presentation > was fantastic. We may not be happy with aspects of the proposal, but it was > a detailed, specific, and well thought through compromise that could start > to change people's consciousness about birds and other small animals as well > as slow down bird purchases by stopping some impulse buys and weeding out > some unsuitable candidates. Teresa was very clearheaded, moderate and > conciliatory in tone, and able to answer all her interlocutors' many > objections. > > > Elizabeth's 'sanctuary city' idea actually fit very well with Teresa's > 'educational' proposal. What we are trying to create is a fundamental change > in people's understanding of birds - their biological and psychological > nature and what that requires in terms of their care and how they should be > raised and 'sold.' Hopefully, this would lead to fewer birds in SF homes > and better care for birds who remain. And we hope too it would set an > example for the rest of the US. Such changes of consciousness are possible > in a relatively short time. Most people I know who have dogs or cats today > got them at shelters; that wasn't true when I was a child. > > > Rick and Claudia's response to all this was that they already are doing > sufficient education and vetting of their clientele. This was one of their > main "broken record" points. I tried to challenge them, citing personal > experience (Patricia and I bought 4 canaries at an SF pet store and got no > very strong or clear guidance about their care) as well as observation (that > anecdote, in which a young woman was in and out of a pet store in 20 minutes > with a new parrotlet she bought because she came in bored with her > cockatiel). Rick replied that there are "exceptions," a few bad apples, but > that's not typical. That was another mantra - exceptions. The homeless birds > presumably are exceptions too, a problem at the periphery having to do with > individual failures but not deriving from the very nature of the business. > So he and Claudia believe these exceptions can be handled by things like > adoption fairs, if only rescue groups would cooperate. Teresa and Marcy > (that pair could have their own series on network TV as a good cop/bad cop > team!) tore into them on this and on their whole claim of being responsible, > citing e.g., pet stores' refusal even to neuter their rodents and rabbits. > > > Teresa also was wonderfully clear about the the real evil being "at the > back end," as she put it - breeders and distributors - offering store owners > a graceful way out, the chance to dissociate themselves from the worst > abuses of the "industry." But they wouldn't even meet us halfway on that. We > tried to press them on PetCo and the factory farming of birds in the Kaytee > preferred whatever program (senior moment). Rick said he had no problem with > PetCo and defended Kaytee. True to his arrogant self, he asked if I had ever > visited or even seen pictures of their facility. I said no, and had he? He > admitted he hadn't either, but he knew somebody and he was sure they'd love > to us around. Elizabeth and I looked at each other and shared one of the > afternoon's few smiles. > > > My impression of Claudia was a rather sour, bitter person; she thinks we're > nasty and was spoiling for a fight right out of the starting gate > (unfortunately, there was this Marcy person waiting to take her up on the > challenge; fortunately, her store is in Berkeley so we don't have to deal > with her). My feeling is that Rick was simply looking for any and all > excuses not to support even the modest and creative compromise that Teresa > proposed. His mind was made up and he came simply to stonewall and beat > things down. Ultimately I believe his intransigence is rooted in business > interests. He expressed an anti-regulatory ideology of free choice by the > customer working with an ethical business being in everyone's best interest. > But there is also a strong sense of personal and professional pride > involved. He was constantly pulling rank ("... and how long have YOU had > birds?"), discounting anyone else's observations. We (Elizabeth and Sally > and I) tried to have an amicable conversation with him and Claudia after the > main meeting broke up. I was trying to probe what they (R&C) considered to > be good bird care and appropriate customer guidance in terms of such things > as social interaction, enrichment, and out-of-cage time. It was pretty clear > they were much less concerned about prolonged confinement or isolation than > we are; their attitude was patronizing and dismissive of any arguments to > the contrary. They feel they have vastly more experience and knowledge than > we do and they are outraged that some motley crew of johnny-come-lately > radicals and do-gooders wants to impose standards telling them how to do > what they've been doing (in Rick's case) for 40+ years. They see themselves > as responsible professionals. Claudia described her job as matching the > right bird with the right person. She told of how she would question people > about their lifestyle and e.g., discourage customers from getting a cockatoo > if they had or were even planning to have children (I don't doubt that she > and Rick have indeed discouraged a few irresponsible potential buyers - the > worst of the worst - but of course they do not discourage impulse > purchases). They also said they were ongoing sources of information and > guidance for customers with questions about their birds (and I'm sure that's > also true, whether or not it's always good advice). And they both claim to > have rehomed many birds. > > > We no longer have to prove there is a crisis in homeless/unwanted birds. I > didn't hear anybody denying it this afternoon, despite the doublethink > implicit in seeing it as a "peripheral" problem. Still, we have the stats, > and we should not let up in broadcasting them (thanks, Martha! and I like > Vinny's suggestion - especially as testimony for the Aug. 12 AWC meeting). I > also didn't hear anybody accusing us of being money makers. But if we want > even to try working with these stores, there still is their > self-image/ideology to contend with. In order to accomplish anything, we > would need to have comprehensive and detailed discussions about bird needs > and bird care, and I doubt they're interested in doing that. If they aren't, > and they aren't willing to compromise meaningfully in any other way, I > suppose Marcy is right. Why not go for the ban? > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Elizabeth Young > Sent: Aug 7, 2010 1:27 AM > To: Mickaboo media advisor team > Subject: [Media-advisors] Fwd: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: *Philip Gerrie* <glassgerrie(a)gmail.com<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=glassgerrie@gmail.com> > > > Date: Fri, Aug 6, 2010 at 10:24 PM > Subject: Re: Working Group Update August 6 10PM > To: SaveABunny(a)aol.com<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=SaveABunny@aol.com> > Cc: Rose Harris <harris.rose(a)att.net<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=harris.rose@att.net>>, > "Elliot M. Katz DVM" <emk(a)idausa.org<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=emk@idausa.org>>, > Elizabeth Young <adoptkings(a)gmail.com<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=adoptkings@gmail.com>>, > Sally Stephens <stephensfw(a)mindspring.com<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=stephensfw@mindspring.com>>, > Pam Hemphill <pam.hemphill(a)gmail.com<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=pam.hemphill@gmail.com>>, > Kim Flaherty <kflaherty(a)pacbell.net<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kflaherty@pacbell.net>>, > Kat.Brown(a)sfgov.org<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Kat.Brown@sfgov.org>, > jchick73(a)yahoo.com<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jchick73@yahoo.com>, > Teresa Murphy <teresa(a)cavyspirit.com<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=teresa@cavyspirit.com> > > > > > I agree with Marcy's comments. > > > > I suggest getting the word out about the next ACWC meeting coming up this > Thursday at 5:30 room 408 at City Hall to those that would like to see a > ban. Last month the Animal Company was out in numbers. We should also stop > by local pet supply stores to hear what they think and for them to possibly > come to speak at the meeting. > > > > The phone book has listings of pet stores and pet supply stores. > > > > Thanks, Philip > > > > > > On Aug 6, 2010, at 9:54 PM, SaveABunny(a)aol.com<http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=SaveABunny@aol.com>wrote: > > > > > HI all, > > After sitting in on the meeting today with the pet store owners trying to > determine if a compromise was possible versus a complete ban on the sale of > animals, here's my impressions (for what they are worth): > > > > > The owner of the Animal Company is essentially not really willing > to compromise. He and his friend, Claudia from The Basic Bird in Berkeley, > are both very antagonistic, looking for confrontation and eager to distort > facts and statements to their favor. While they say they agree to > "education' they are not really willing to do anything different, since they > already feel like they know it all and don't want rescues "telling them what > to do". They feel that putting up a flyer in their store about a rescue > group is doing enough. > > Recommendation: If possible isolate them. Position them as hardliners vs. > other more workable stores. These two are the "leaders" and the people who > are causing the majority of ill will and creating PR opportunities for > themselves as the victims. > > > > > Personally, I think it's a big mistake to focus so much time and energy > on trying to placate the very few stores that DO sell animals. The majority > of stores in SF do not sell animals. This very important point is being lost > in the mind of the public and the media as it seems like a large number of > small businesses are being penalized somehow and that's simply not true. > > > > Kat, is it possible to get some statistics on the number of stores that do > or do not sell animals? > > > > While a workable compromise with education would be nice, I do not think > that will happen without some sort of oversight---based on the lack of > current educational info being given out by these stores. Just because > someone has been in business for 30 years, it doesn't equate to knowing > updated or proper care for the animals. > > > > In summary, I think a strong strategy would be to approach the majority of > stores that do NOT sell animals to get them to help back a ban. Being able > to demonstrate that it's possible to be profitable as a pet store without > selling animals is key and is an excellent discussion to use in PR. Nothing > would be more powerful than having the backing of a significant number of > pet store owners in SF. > > > > Thanks again everyone for being such a great advocate for the animals, > > > > Marcy Schaaf > Founder, SaveABunny > www.saveabunny.org > www.saveabunny.etsy.com > 415-388-2790 > "A New Generation of Rabbit Rescue" > Save A Bunny. Save A Life. > > > > > > > > > > > -- > 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 > > > > -----Inline Attachment Follows----- > > > > > > > -- 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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