While we may be worried about property damage and traffic delays, animals at Toronto Animal Services (TAS) South Centre are feeling the affects too of world leaders descending upon Toronto. Through no fault of their own, TAS staff have decreased access to the building and the animals in their care. Some animals have been moved to the city's other shelters, but for those that remain, we're certain that the end of the G20 cannot come soon enough.
If anyone has a stray who needs help, the South Centre will be back to normal soon. At the moment, animals are being rerouted to the city's other shelters. The Toronto Humane Society (THS), now under new management, will also be reopening at the end of the month. Please feel free to call us if you need any advice.
If you need to rehome your cat or dog, the THS has started booking appointments ("To inquire about surrendering your animal please contact 416 392 2273 ext. 2248 or mailto:admissions@torontohumanesociety.com"). Many groups, including Project Jessie and the THS, will do a curtesy posting - just e-mail a photo, description of your companion animal, and your contact information. This is a great way to minimize the stress of rehoming, especially since coping with a shelter setting is difficult for many animals.
We hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend,
Lia and the AAC crew
Friday, 25 June 2010
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Hamilton Deer Meeting
Liz and I were in Hamilton last night for another meeting regarding the deer at Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area. The meeting began with a review of the Committee's Terms of Reference, which are still in draft format. The Committee has one more issue to discuss in this regard.
The meeting went on to discuss correspondence the City has received about the deer. Interestingly, people writing in to support the deer are writing in from other cities!
The Committee was then presented with the 2009 Deer Wintering Survey, prepared by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. The discussion and questions that arose were thought-provoking and, hopefully, informative for the Committee.
The night had to end there. The next meeting, on June 16, is going to be at Iroquoia Heights for a tour of the area. If it rains, the Committee will be meeting at the Town Hall (address below).
All meetings are held at the Old Ancaster Town Hall, 310 Wilson St E, Ancaster, unless otherwise indicated.
May 19, 2010 - Meeting Agenda
June 2, 2010 - Meeting Agenda
June 16, 2010 - Meeting at and Tour of Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area
June 30, 2010 - Public Forum
Sept 8, 2010
Oct 6, 2010
Nov 3, 2010
The meeting went on to discuss correspondence the City has received about the deer. Interestingly, people writing in to support the deer are writing in from other cities!
For those in Hamilton, it would be great if you could
write or e-mail Council with your thoughts.
write or e-mail Council with your thoughts.
The Committee was then presented with the 2009 Deer Wintering Survey, prepared by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. The discussion and questions that arose were thought-provoking and, hopefully, informative for the Committee.
The night had to end there. The next meeting, on June 16, is going to be at Iroquoia Heights for a tour of the area. If it rains, the Committee will be meeting at the Town Hall (address below).
Members of the public are encouraged to review the Committee's Terms of Reference and meeting Minutes. All meetings are open to the public. If you would like to address the Committee, you must contact the Secretary, Shari Faulkenham, to do so.
All meetings are held at the Old Ancaster Town Hall, 310 Wilson St E, Ancaster, unless otherwise indicated.
May 19, 2010 - Meeting Agenda
June 2, 2010 - Meeting Agenda
June 16, 2010 - Meeting at and Tour of Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area
June 30, 2010 - Public Forum
Sept 8, 2010
Oct 6, 2010
Nov 3, 2010
Click on the following link for more information on Hamilton's
Deer Management Advisory Committee.
Deer Management Advisory Committee.
Friday, 14 May 2010
140 OSPCA Animals Still at Risk of Being Killed!
Friday May 14, 2010: What is the fate of the 140 animals that remain under the care of the OSPCA? We don't know. OSPCA spokespersons have not made a commitment that the remaining 140 animals are safe from euthanasia. In fact, in the OSPCA’s own special advisory dated May 13, 2010 Kate MacDonald states, “Let me assure the public that no healthy animals have been or will be euthanized. Animals are being tested and retested to monitor the spread of this disease.” (OSPCA web site, May 13, 2010)
“Where are the clear and unequivocal statements from the OSPCA that no animal of the remaining 140 are at risk of euthanasia?” asked Liz White, Director of Animal Alliance of Canada.
“The animal protection community, the municipalities who have contracts with the OSPCA, staff and donors, and members of the public want assurance that these animals are safe,” continued White. “But as far as I can tell from reviewing the web site and the media, the OSPCA has made no such statement.”
Animal Alliance and Animal Alliance/Environment Voters sent letters to the municipalities, Aurora, Markham and Richmond Hill, who have OSPCA animal control contracts. “These three municipal governments are the only avenues of public oversight into the actions of the OSPCA and then only as it pertains to the animals from all three towns. Otherwise there is no mechanism to require the OSPCA to be held accountable for its actions," White continued. "There is no way to confirm the accuracy of the statements made by the OSPCA. The OSPCA does not provide euthanasia figures and reasons why the animals were killed, even though it is required to provide that information through its contracts with municipalities."
"There is a municipal election this fall. Councillors and residents of all three towns want to know what happened to their animals," continued White. "We have asked all three towns to cease sending animals to the OSPCA until this crisis has been resolved. We are requesting that all three councils hold public meetings to receive public input on the actions of the OSPCA, to address community concerns about the OSPCA’s handling of the situation and to force the OSPCA to publicly account for its actions. We want everyone to remember that the animals paid for this situation with their lives. No more should die."
“Where are the clear and unequivocal statements from the OSPCA that no animal of the remaining 140 are at risk of euthanasia?” asked Liz White, Director of Animal Alliance of Canada.
“The animal protection community, the municipalities who have contracts with the OSPCA, staff and donors, and members of the public want assurance that these animals are safe,” continued White. “But as far as I can tell from reviewing the web site and the media, the OSPCA has made no such statement.”
Animal Alliance and Animal Alliance/Environment Voters sent letters to the municipalities, Aurora, Markham and Richmond Hill, who have OSPCA animal control contracts. “These three municipal governments are the only avenues of public oversight into the actions of the OSPCA and then only as it pertains to the animals from all three towns. Otherwise there is no mechanism to require the OSPCA to be held accountable for its actions," White continued. "There is no way to confirm the accuracy of the statements made by the OSPCA. The OSPCA does not provide euthanasia figures and reasons why the animals were killed, even though it is required to provide that information through its contracts with municipalities."
"There is a municipal election this fall. Councillors and residents of all three towns want to know what happened to their animals," continued White. "We have asked all three towns to cease sending animals to the OSPCA until this crisis has been resolved. We are requesting that all three councils hold public meetings to receive public input on the actions of the OSPCA, to address community concerns about the OSPCA’s handling of the situation and to force the OSPCA to publicly account for its actions. We want everyone to remember that the animals paid for this situation with their lives. No more should die."
Friday, 30 April 2010
On behalf of the animals, Thank You!!
Just before "kitten season" begins, we just want to say a BIG THANKS to all our supporters, from everyone at Animal Alliance and Project Jessie. There are so many animals in need, and we wouldn't be able to help them without you. From volunteer drivers, to caring foster homes, to donations of pet food, and wonderful success stories -- thank you, thank you, thank you!
Recently, we've even been sponsored, by NuCelle Inc., an ethical, cruelty-free skin care company. Twenty percent of all retail sales will be donated to Project Jessie! Visit www.nucelle.com/AAC/ for more information.
With all the badness we encounter, we are continually reminded that there are caring and compassionate people out there. And for that, we are eternally grateful.
With gratitude,
Lia and the AAC crew
Monday, 5 April 2010
Hamilton Deer Need Your Voice
Deer in the City of Hamilton's Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area need our help. Like other municipalities fortunate enough to share urban space with wildlife, Hamilton is having difficulty solving human / wildlife conflicts. But, like other municipalities have learned, there are several progressive, humane methods that can be employed.
We first learned of Hamilton's situation through Paul Glendenning, who approached Liz after her presentation to Hamilton on their companion animal by-laws. Paul and other local activists took us on a tour through Iroquoia Heights, a big beautiful green space in the heart of the City. He had a great article in the Hamilton Spectator, which summarizes the issue perfectly. Click on the following link for Paul's article http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/739434
He recently e-mailed Liz:
Hamilton's mayor and council members need to be flooded with phone calls, e-mails and letters from people who oppose the killing of the deer.
Local animal and environmental protection groups are rallying to convince Council that humane methods can be used successfully.
We need to make sure that the City implements a non-lethal approach to the deer. Please copy, paste and print the letter below to send to the Mayor and Members of Council urging them to implement a non-lethal prevention programme for the deer in Iroquoia Heights and throughout the City of Hamilton.
THANK YOU all again, for being a voice for the animals.
Lia and the AAC crew
****
Mayor Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Members of Council
Hamilton City Centre
77 James St. North
P.O.Box 2040, LCD1
Hamilton, ON L8R 2K3
Telephone: 905.546.4200
Fax: 905.546.2340
Email: mayorfred@hamilton.ca
Dear Mayor and Members of Hamilton City Council,
I am writing to ask you not to implement a cull of the deer in Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area. I urge you to implement an integrated human-deer conflict prevention and non-lethal intervention programme for the City of Hamilton. Please consider some of the following suggestions:
Comprehensive prevention and non-lethal intervention programme for Iroquoia Heights deer:
1. Stopping feeding the deer: Visitors to the area bring food for the deer. This encourages the congregation of larger numbers of deer than would occur if food was not provided. The City should educate residents and visitors why feeding deer at Iroquoia Heights may increase conflicts and result in a proposal to kill many of them.
2. Excluding the deer from conflict areas and from specific plants and bushes through fencing: Fencing provides a longer term solution to the impact of deer on landscaping, backyard gardens and bog plants.
3. Using repellents to make plants less palatable and less desirable to deer and deterrents to deter the deer: Repellents and deterrents are options to be used as part of an integrated non-lethal plan.
4. Planting less palatable landscape plants: City staff should consider using native plants that are rarely or seldom damaged when rehabilitating degraded areas of the conservation area. Residents whose yards back on or are close to the area should consider plants that are largely unattractive to deer.
Sincerely,
Signature _____________________________________________
Name _______________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________
Prov. and Postal Code ____________________________________
We first learned of Hamilton's situation through Paul Glendenning, who approached Liz after her presentation to Hamilton on their companion animal by-laws. Paul and other local activists took us on a tour through Iroquoia Heights, a big beautiful green space in the heart of the City. He had a great article in the Hamilton Spectator, which summarizes the issue perfectly. Click on the following link for Paul's article http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/739434
He recently e-mailed Liz:
The article at the link below was printed in today's paper. Though I will endeavor to respond, it would be appreciated if others would write something in support of the deer to back up the idea that there is more than just my 'opinion' involved. http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/744295
Sincerely,
Paul
Hamilton's mayor and council members need to be flooded with phone calls, e-mails and letters from people who oppose the killing of the deer.
Local animal and environmental protection groups are rallying to convince Council that humane methods can be used successfully.
We need to make sure that the City implements a non-lethal approach to the deer. Please copy, paste and print the letter below to send to the Mayor and Members of Council urging them to implement a non-lethal prevention programme for the deer in Iroquoia Heights and throughout the City of Hamilton.
THANK YOU all again, for being a voice for the animals.
Lia and the AAC crew
****
Mayor Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Members of Council
Hamilton City Centre
77 James St. North
P.O.Box 2040, LCD1
Hamilton, ON L8R 2K3
Telephone: 905.546.4200
Fax: 905.546.2340
Email: mayorfred@hamilton.ca
Dear Mayor and Members of Hamilton City Council,
I am writing to ask you not to implement a cull of the deer in Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area. I urge you to implement an integrated human-deer conflict prevention and non-lethal intervention programme for the City of Hamilton. Please consider some of the following suggestions:
Comprehensive prevention and non-lethal intervention programme for Iroquoia Heights deer:
1. Stopping feeding the deer: Visitors to the area bring food for the deer. This encourages the congregation of larger numbers of deer than would occur if food was not provided. The City should educate residents and visitors why feeding deer at Iroquoia Heights may increase conflicts and result in a proposal to kill many of them.
2. Excluding the deer from conflict areas and from specific plants and bushes through fencing: Fencing provides a longer term solution to the impact of deer on landscaping, backyard gardens and bog plants.
3. Using repellents to make plants less palatable and less desirable to deer and deterrents to deter the deer: Repellents and deterrents are options to be used as part of an integrated non-lethal plan.
4. Planting less palatable landscape plants: City staff should consider using native plants that are rarely or seldom damaged when rehabilitating degraded areas of the conservation area. Residents whose yards back on or are close to the area should consider plants that are largely unattractive to deer.
Sincerely,
Signature _____________________________________________
Name _______________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________
Prov. and Postal Code ____________________________________
Saturday, 6 March 2010
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Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Great News!
The City of London, ON, will not be killing any deer in 2010!
After we presented alternatives to council last year on how to help the city's sensitive Sifton Bog, councillors still thought killing deer with bows and arrows was the only solution. A report for council by city ecologist Bonnie Bergsma notes that it is humans and the invasive buckthorn, not the deer, that threatens the health of the bog.
For the most recent article on the issue, visit http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2010/03/01/13064661.html
Thanks to everyone who spoke up on behalf of the deer!
If you have a moment, please send "Thanks!" to London's Mayor and Members of Council:
Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best and Members of Council
c/o City Hall
214- 300 Dufferin Avenue
London, Ontario N6B 1Z2
Mayor DeCicco-Best:
City Hall: 519 661-2500 Ext. 4920
City Hall Fax: 519 661-5308
adecicco@london.ca
Unfortunately, our work to protect deer is not over. Now the City of Hamilton's Conservation Authority is considering killing deer in the city's Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area. Much like London's Sifton Bog, Iroquoia Heights is a magnificent green space, surrounded by a highway on two sides and homes and major road on the other two sides. Not completely cut off from other green spaces, the deer in Iroquoia Heights are able to move in and out of the conservation area. The Conservation Authority is arguing the deer carry disease, are negatively impacting the Conservation area, are causing car accidents - all the same arguments as other pro-culling municipalities.
Please send a message to Hamilton's City Council - Council needs to consider humane, non-lethal alternatives and promote programs and policies that enourage tolerance of wildlife in the urban area.
Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Members of Council
Hamilton City Centre
77 James St. North
PO Box 2040, LCD 1
Hamilton, ON L8R 2K3
Mayor Eisenberger:
City Hall: 905-546-4200
City Hall Fax: 905-546-2340
mayorfred@hamilton.ca
With gratitude for your help,
Lia and the AAC crew
After we presented alternatives to council last year on how to help the city's sensitive Sifton Bog, councillors still thought killing deer with bows and arrows was the only solution. A report for council by city ecologist Bonnie Bergsma notes that it is humans and the invasive buckthorn, not the deer, that threatens the health of the bog.
For the most recent article on the issue, visit http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2010/03/01/13064661.html
Thanks to everyone who spoke up on behalf of the deer!
If you have a moment, please send "Thanks!" to London's Mayor and Members of Council:
Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best and Members of Council
c/o City Hall
214- 300 Dufferin Avenue
London, Ontario N6B 1Z2
Mayor DeCicco-Best:
City Hall: 519 661-2500 Ext. 4920
City Hall Fax: 519 661-5308
adecicco@london.ca
Unfortunately, our work to protect deer is not over. Now the City of Hamilton's Conservation Authority is considering killing deer in the city's Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area. Much like London's Sifton Bog, Iroquoia Heights is a magnificent green space, surrounded by a highway on two sides and homes and major road on the other two sides. Not completely cut off from other green spaces, the deer in Iroquoia Heights are able to move in and out of the conservation area. The Conservation Authority is arguing the deer carry disease, are negatively impacting the Conservation area, are causing car accidents - all the same arguments as other pro-culling municipalities.
Please send a message to Hamilton's City Council - Council needs to consider humane, non-lethal alternatives and promote programs and policies that enourage tolerance of wildlife in the urban area.
Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Members of Council
Hamilton City Centre
77 James St. North
PO Box 2040, LCD 1
Hamilton, ON L8R 2K3
Mayor Eisenberger:
City Hall: 905-546-4200
City Hall Fax: 905-546-2340
mayorfred@hamilton.ca
With gratitude for your help,
Lia and the AAC crew
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