NEWS: Thousands of exotic animals seized in Arlington
Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:50 pm (PST)
Thousands of exotic animals seized in Arlington:
http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Thousands-of-exotic-animals-seized-in-Arlington-79323622.html
http://digg.com/d31CwFp?e
by DEBBIE DENMON / WFAA-TV
Posted on December 15, 2009 at 12:29 PM
ARLINGTON — It's being called the biggest animal seizure of its kind
in the country. Authorities moved in to take custody of a many as
20,000 creatures from an exotic pet distributor Tuesday morning.
Arlington Animal Services served a civil seizure warrant on U.S.
Global Exotics, a multi-million dollar business that acquires these
creatures from all around the world — then sells them for premium
prices.
The collection includes snakes, wallabys, tarantulas, turtles and hedgehogs.
"We're finding huge amounts of dead animals in with the living ones,"
said Jay Sabatucci of Arlington Animal Services. "We're finding
turtles who are basically in a toxic soup of water and other dead
turtles."
The Humane Society of North Texas and the SPCA of Texas are among the
organizations helping city officials try to collect and catalog the
menagerie from the U.S. Global Exotics facility in the 1000 block of
Oakmead Drive. Veterinarians from around the country and even one from
Great Britain were flown in to provide their expertise into evaluation
and treatment of the more exotic animals.
"We have consulted with some experts," Sabatucci said. "Some of the
methods of keeping the animals are not within guidelines. There are
animals in there literally starving to death, not being fed. There are
animals in conditions where the environment is either too cold or too
warm for them."
U.S. Global Exotics will likely be shut down all day Tuesday as the
seizure continues. No criminal charges have been filed against the
firm, which — according to its Web site — has been importing and
exporting exotic animals for 11 years.
The Web site claims that U.S. Global Exotics is licensed by U.S.
Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and by
the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
"I'm a dog man myself, so it's hard for me to understand how someone
would like something exotic like a wallaby or a tree sloth," Sabatucci
said. "But there are people who wish to have these types of animals,
and they will pay top dollar to have them."
Officials said the seized animals would first be removed to an
undisclosed location to evaluate their conditions. If a court awards
the animals to the city, the survivors will be shipped to places where
they will be properly cared for.
E-mail ddenmon@wfaa.com
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Agenda for Wed. Dec. 16 AAC regular meeting
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/agenda/2009/downloads/animal_121609.pdf
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2009
6:00 PM
AUSTIN ENERGY BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR ASSEMBLY ROOM
721 BARTON SPRINGS ROAD
AUSTIN, TEXAS
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER
1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL
The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3. OLD BUSINESS
None
4. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discussion of potential Bylaws amendment related to change of time and location of regular monthly meeting.
b. Discussion of posting of Animal Advisory Commission agenda & receiving of backup material.
c. Report of FY11 Donation Fund Subcommittee Meeting
d. Discussion of Implementation Plan
e. Update on AAC Scope
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
6. STAFF BRIEFINGS
None
7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
8. ADJOURNMENT
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 4 days before the meeting date. Please call Gricelda Diaz at Health & Human Services Department, Animal Services Division at 512: 972-5805, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2009
6:00 PM
AUSTIN ENERGY BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR ASSEMBLY ROOM
721 BARTON SPRINGS ROAD
AUSTIN, TEXAS
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER
1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL
The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3. OLD BUSINESS
None
4. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discussion of potential Bylaws amendment related to change of time and location of regular monthly meeting.
b. Discussion of posting of Animal Advisory Commission agenda & receiving of backup material.
c. Report of FY11 Donation Fund Subcommittee Meeting
d. Discussion of Implementation Plan
e. Update on AAC Scope
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
6. STAFF BRIEFINGS
None
7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
8. ADJOURNMENT
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 4 days before the meeting date. Please call Gricelda Diaz at Health & Human Services Department, Animal Services Division at 512: 972-5805, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.
agenda for Wed. Dec 16 AAC meeting
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2009
6:00 PM
AUSTIN ENERGY BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR ASSEMBLY ROOM
721 BARTON SPRINGS ROAD
AUSTIN, TEXAS
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER
1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL
The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3. OLD BUSINESS
None
4. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discussion of potential Bylaws amendment related to change of time and location of regular monthly meeting.
b. Discussion of posting of Animal Advisory Commission agenda & receiving of backup material.
c. Report of FY11 Donation Fund Subcommittee Meeting
d. Discussion of Implementation Plan
e. Update on AAC Scope
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
6. STAFF BRIEFINGS
None
7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
8. ADJOURNMENT
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 4 days before the meeting date. Please call Gricelda Diaz at Health & Human Services Department, Animal Services Division at 512: 972-5805, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2009
6:00 PM
AUSTIN ENERGY BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR ASSEMBLY ROOM
721 BARTON SPRINGS ROAD
AUSTIN, TEXAS
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER
1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL
The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3. OLD BUSINESS
None
4. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discussion of potential Bylaws amendment related to change of time and location of regular monthly meeting.
b. Discussion of posting of Animal Advisory Commission agenda & receiving of backup material.
c. Report of FY11 Donation Fund Subcommittee Meeting
d. Discussion of Implementation Plan
e. Update on AAC Scope
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
6. STAFF BRIEFINGS
None
7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
8. ADJOURNMENT
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 4 days before the meeting date. Please call Gricelda Diaz at Health & Human Services Department, Animal Services Division at 512: 972-5805, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
from South Carolina to Syracuse, N.Y. - dogs rescued from euth
Animal rescuer airlifts York County strays
http://www.heraldonline.com/120/story/1803548.html#
By Jason Foster - jfoster@heraldonline.com Ted DuPuis doesn't want animals to die just because no one wants them, so the 25-year-old Pennsylvania man has made it his mission to save as many as he can from being euthanized.
Since August, DuPuis has taken to the skies to rescue animals from Southern states where animal overpopulation has led to high euthanasia rates. He flies them back up North, where spay and neuter laws have kept the pet population under control, so they can be adopted into new homes.
Today, DuPuis' Cloud Nine Rescue Flights will transport 17 dogs from the Rock Hill area to Syracuse, N.Y. It's his fourth trip to rescue animals from York County.
“I'm willing to do it as often as it takes,” said DuPuis, an engineer by trade. “I want to see as many animal lives saved as possible.”
The program works like this: Local representatives from the Animal Adoption League identify unwanted animals in danger of being euthanized and find shelters up North that will take them in to be adopted. DuPuis then provides the animals' transportation to their new environment. He's taken as many as 22 animals on a single flight.
“I can't say enough good things about it,” said Kylie Troy of Charlotte, volunteer transport coordinator for the adoption league. “Without him, we would really have a hard time moving them up North.”
The flights are provided for free, meaning the nonprofit relies on donations to reach its goal of 40 flights per year. Each flight costs upwards of $2,000 for plane rental, gas and other needs. DuPuis doesn't take a salary.
In addition to transporting animals, Cloud Nine also works with organizations to transport children and adults for medical treatment.
“It's a lot of work on a number of different fronts,” DuPuis said of organizing the transports.
Cloud Nine and other similar programs provide a valuable service, said Chris Peninger, supervisor of York County Animal Control.
“We do have a huge issue here with animal overpopulation,” she said. “Animals fill up shelters in our area very, very quickly.
York County Animal Control takes in an average of about 800 animals per month. Last month, rescues and adoptions totaled just 148, while 446 animals were euthanized.
“It's a very different way to get animals out of shelters and into homes,” Peninger said of rescue flights.
These programs are a “win-win-win” for everyone involved, she said: The local shelters win because it frees up room, the shelters up North win because they can offer pets for adoption, and the pets win because they avoid being put down.
“It doesn't get much better than that.”
Jason Foster 803-329-4066
http://www.heraldonline.com/120/story/1803548.html#
By Jason Foster - jfoster@heraldonline.com Ted DuPuis doesn't want animals to die just because no one wants them, so the 25-year-old Pennsylvania man has made it his mission to save as many as he can from being euthanized.
Since August, DuPuis has taken to the skies to rescue animals from Southern states where animal overpopulation has led to high euthanasia rates. He flies them back up North, where spay and neuter laws have kept the pet population under control, so they can be adopted into new homes.
Today, DuPuis' Cloud Nine Rescue Flights will transport 17 dogs from the Rock Hill area to Syracuse, N.Y. It's his fourth trip to rescue animals from York County.
“I'm willing to do it as often as it takes,” said DuPuis, an engineer by trade. “I want to see as many animal lives saved as possible.”
The program works like this: Local representatives from the Animal Adoption League identify unwanted animals in danger of being euthanized and find shelters up North that will take them in to be adopted. DuPuis then provides the animals' transportation to their new environment. He's taken as many as 22 animals on a single flight.
“I can't say enough good things about it,” said Kylie Troy of Charlotte, volunteer transport coordinator for the adoption league. “Without him, we would really have a hard time moving them up North.”
The flights are provided for free, meaning the nonprofit relies on donations to reach its goal of 40 flights per year. Each flight costs upwards of $2,000 for plane rental, gas and other needs. DuPuis doesn't take a salary.
In addition to transporting animals, Cloud Nine also works with organizations to transport children and adults for medical treatment.
“It's a lot of work on a number of different fronts,” DuPuis said of organizing the transports.
Cloud Nine and other similar programs provide a valuable service, said Chris Peninger, supervisor of York County Animal Control.
“We do have a huge issue here with animal overpopulation,” she said. “Animals fill up shelters in our area very, very quickly.
York County Animal Control takes in an average of about 800 animals per month. Last month, rescues and adoptions totaled just 148, while 446 animals were euthanized.
“It's a very different way to get animals out of shelters and into homes,” Peninger said of rescue flights.
These programs are a “win-win-win” for everyone involved, she said: The local shelters win because it frees up room, the shelters up North win because they can offer pets for adoption, and the pets win because they avoid being put down.
“It doesn't get much better than that.”
Jason Foster 803-329-4066
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Dorinda Pulliam quoted in article on feral cats in Christian Science Monitor
Excerpt from Christian Science Monitor article:
“No one is going to snap their fingers and make these feral cats disappear; there has to be a program to deal with it,” adds Dorinda Pulliam, director of the Town Lake Animal Shelter in Austin, Texas.
Ms. Pulliam oversees an active TNR program that has sterilized 10,000 cats in the past two years. Whether such programs actually reduce populations is hotly disputed. She declined to estimate how many feral cats roam Austin, but said the numbers entering the shelter are declining.
Could that be because coyotes are eating them? Pulliam says she doubts that. But some residents suggest that Austin, which has a coyote control program, stop killing coyotes and let those predators take care of Austin’s feral cats.
Full article
http://features.csmonitor.com/environment/2009/12/01/outdoor-cats-are-easy-prey-for-coyotes/
Outdoor cats are easy prey for coyotes
Cats are known as hunters but when coyotes come on the scene, cats who go outdoors become the prey.
By Mark Clayton
Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor/ December 1, 2009 edition
Print thisBuzz up!Email and shareRepublishGet e-mail alertsRSS
David Ponton/NEWSCOM
Coyotes like this one have turned to cats as a major food source – up to 42 percent of their diet in Tucson, Ariz., a study found. The study has exposed fault lines between cat lovers and bird lovers, who think cats should be kept indoors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cat lover Lisa Harris used to let her seven felines roam outdoors – until she saw a coyote waltzing across her front yard. Since then, Dr. Harris, a wildlife biologist who lives in Tucson, Ariz., has kept her cats indoors 24/7.
Long seen as miniature backyard hunters preying on everything from rabbits, birds, and mice to lizards, house cats have in some areas become the hunted, new research indicates.
In a new study of coyotes living among people in the heart of Tucson, cats were the coyotes’ most common meal, making up 42 percent of their diet, university researchers reported in the Journal of Wildlife Management. Among scores of confrontations between coyotes and cats, cats were killed more than half the time.
Birding organizations such as the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), which estimates that free-roaming cats kill more than 100 million birds each year, were quick to encourage cat owners to keep cats inside.
That’s something many cat owners are loath to do. It’s long been known that coyotes attack pets, but there’s also a sense that cats can scamper up a tree if they sense danger, says Harris.
That vastly understates the danger, she says. “A coyote can jump a six-foot fence and take a small dog or cat and be back in a flash – do it right in front of you.”
Past research has indicated that the number of pets lost to wild predators is relatively small. But the new study, combined with the expansion of coyotes into suburban and urban areas nationwide, has researchers suggesting the threat to pets, especially cats, is much greater than realized.
“The number of cats killed by coyotes in the West and nationwide is a lot higher than many people think,” says Paul Krausman, a coauthor of the study and professor of wildlife conservation at the University of Montana. “Humans are setting a banquet out for them – leaving out dog and cat food – and even their small dogs and cats.”
The study also raises questions about the wisdom of “trap, neuter, and release” (TNR) programs used by a number of cities to deal with rapidly growing feral cat populations, says George Fenwick, president of ABC.
In a press release, ABC called TNR programs “well-meaning but misguided,” adding that releasing neutered feral cats back into the wild was “providing an all-you-can-eat buffet for coyotes.”
That has feral cat program managers arching their backs a bit.
“The bird people are always exaggerating the danger cats pose,” says Carol Ameer, treasurer of the San Diego-based Feral Cat Coalition. “What we’ve found is that TNR works and eliminates a source of food for coyotes.”
“No one is going to snap their fingers and make these feral cats disappear; there has to be a program to deal with it,” adds Dorinda Pulliam, director of the Town Lake Animal Shelter in Austin, Texas.
Ms. Pulliam oversees an active TNR program that has sterilized 10,000 cats in the past two years. Whether such programs actually reduce populations is hotly disputed. She declined to estimate how many feral cats roam Austin, but said the numbers entering the shelter are declining.
Could that be because coyotes are eating them? Pulliam says she doubts that. But some residents suggest that Austin, which has a coyote control program, stop killing coyotes and let those predators take care of Austin’s feral cats.
Austin bird lover Susan Schaffel comments: “People around here leave their cat food on the back porch so Puss in Boots can roam all day long killing birds, and then call the city when a coyote eats the cat food – and then their cat.”
Harris thinks the solution is to keep cats indoors. “I’m always amazed at how people can’t imagine changing their cats’ lives because they say it might affect their happiness,” she says. “But I think it’s better for your best friend to stay indoors and live a long life than to be eaten alive.”
Editor’s note: For more articles about the environment, see the Monitor’s main environment page, which offers information on many topics. Also, check out our Bright Green blog archive and our RSS feed.
“No one is going to snap their fingers and make these feral cats disappear; there has to be a program to deal with it,” adds Dorinda Pulliam, director of the Town Lake Animal Shelter in Austin, Texas.
Ms. Pulliam oversees an active TNR program that has sterilized 10,000 cats in the past two years. Whether such programs actually reduce populations is hotly disputed. She declined to estimate how many feral cats roam Austin, but said the numbers entering the shelter are declining.
Could that be because coyotes are eating them? Pulliam says she doubts that. But some residents suggest that Austin, which has a coyote control program, stop killing coyotes and let those predators take care of Austin’s feral cats.
Full article
http://features.csmonitor.com/environment/2009/12/01/outdoor-cats-are-easy-prey-for-coyotes/
Outdoor cats are easy prey for coyotes
Cats are known as hunters but when coyotes come on the scene, cats who go outdoors become the prey.
By Mark Clayton
Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor/ December 1, 2009 edition
Print thisBuzz up!Email and shareRepublishGet e-mail alertsRSS
David Ponton/NEWSCOM
Coyotes like this one have turned to cats as a major food source – up to 42 percent of their diet in Tucson, Ariz., a study found. The study has exposed fault lines between cat lovers and bird lovers, who think cats should be kept indoors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cat lover Lisa Harris used to let her seven felines roam outdoors – until she saw a coyote waltzing across her front yard. Since then, Dr. Harris, a wildlife biologist who lives in Tucson, Ariz., has kept her cats indoors 24/7.
Long seen as miniature backyard hunters preying on everything from rabbits, birds, and mice to lizards, house cats have in some areas become the hunted, new research indicates.
In a new study of coyotes living among people in the heart of Tucson, cats were the coyotes’ most common meal, making up 42 percent of their diet, university researchers reported in the Journal of Wildlife Management. Among scores of confrontations between coyotes and cats, cats were killed more than half the time.
Birding organizations such as the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), which estimates that free-roaming cats kill more than 100 million birds each year, were quick to encourage cat owners to keep cats inside.
That’s something many cat owners are loath to do. It’s long been known that coyotes attack pets, but there’s also a sense that cats can scamper up a tree if they sense danger, says Harris.
That vastly understates the danger, she says. “A coyote can jump a six-foot fence and take a small dog or cat and be back in a flash – do it right in front of you.”
Past research has indicated that the number of pets lost to wild predators is relatively small. But the new study, combined with the expansion of coyotes into suburban and urban areas nationwide, has researchers suggesting the threat to pets, especially cats, is much greater than realized.
“The number of cats killed by coyotes in the West and nationwide is a lot higher than many people think,” says Paul Krausman, a coauthor of the study and professor of wildlife conservation at the University of Montana. “Humans are setting a banquet out for them – leaving out dog and cat food – and even their small dogs and cats.”
The study also raises questions about the wisdom of “trap, neuter, and release” (TNR) programs used by a number of cities to deal with rapidly growing feral cat populations, says George Fenwick, president of ABC.
In a press release, ABC called TNR programs “well-meaning but misguided,” adding that releasing neutered feral cats back into the wild was “providing an all-you-can-eat buffet for coyotes.”
That has feral cat program managers arching their backs a bit.
“The bird people are always exaggerating the danger cats pose,” says Carol Ameer, treasurer of the San Diego-based Feral Cat Coalition. “What we’ve found is that TNR works and eliminates a source of food for coyotes.”
“No one is going to snap their fingers and make these feral cats disappear; there has to be a program to deal with it,” adds Dorinda Pulliam, director of the Town Lake Animal Shelter in Austin, Texas.
Ms. Pulliam oversees an active TNR program that has sterilized 10,000 cats in the past two years. Whether such programs actually reduce populations is hotly disputed. She declined to estimate how many feral cats roam Austin, but said the numbers entering the shelter are declining.
Could that be because coyotes are eating them? Pulliam says she doubts that. But some residents suggest that Austin, which has a coyote control program, stop killing coyotes and let those predators take care of Austin’s feral cats.
Austin bird lover Susan Schaffel comments: “People around here leave their cat food on the back porch so Puss in Boots can roam all day long killing birds, and then call the city when a coyote eats the cat food – and then their cat.”
Harris thinks the solution is to keep cats indoors. “I’m always amazed at how people can’t imagine changing their cats’ lives because they say it might affect their happiness,” she says. “But I think it’s better for your best friend to stay indoors and live a long life than to be eaten alive.”
Editor’s note: For more articles about the environment, see the Monitor’s main environment page, which offers information on many topics. Also, check out our Bright Green blog archive and our RSS feed.
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