Latest News
The show I did with Pete Sakas is finally on the web site, but apparently I did not make it past the cutting room floor, however Pete and the birds were smashing. Here is the link to send to everyone: http://www.wciu.com/#74.
July 30, 2008
The Chicago, IL, mandatory spay/neuter ordinance vote was postponed due to unexpected opposition! Bob Barker mentions the San Antonio and Dallas, TX, ordinances in the same breath as the Los Angeles, CA, ordinance in the article -- something Texas certainly isn't proud of! (Go to the URL below for the entire article.)
Barker states:
"When we come to this wall which is seemingly impossible to get over, the only answer is legislation. .It's the obvious answer. .The movement for spay and neuter legislation is sweeping across this country. It's been compared to a tsunami," Barker said, noting that Los Angeles, Dallas and San Antonio have passed similar mandates.
To read the article, go to:
http://www.suntimes .com/news/ metro/1079813, pets072908. article
OR
http://tinyurl. com/552xyd
July 29, 2008
Opposition to a proposed Mandatory Spay/Neuter and Breeder Permit Ordinance in Chicago, IL is heating up. The committee hearing is today. Coming to your city soon if it hasn't already!
International Kennel Club president Lou Auslander wrote a letter of opposition from the club to the committee members and placed a full page ad in the Chicago Tribune yesterday which is on their website:
www.ikcdogshow. com
RPOA received a copy of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association' s letter of opposition also but it hasn't been made public yet.
However the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association has issued a press release (see below) of very strong opposition to the ordinance. GO TO THE LINK below for even more information than is contained in the press release as there is an excellent compilation of facts to combat this type of legislation.
____________ _________ _________ _______
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Peter S. Weber, MS, CAE
Phone: (217) 546-8381
e-mail: peter@isvma. org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2008
The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (ISVMA) opposes the mandatory spay/neuter ordinance being proposed for the City of Chicago. The ISVMA opposes this proposed ordinance for the following reasons:
* There is not scientifically- based research that supports the proponent¹s argument that only intact animals bite.
* There is no conclusive evidence that mandatory spay/neuter programs work.
* This mandate would discourage pet owners from seeking rabies immunization if they are opposed to neutering/spaying and fear they will be reported. It is already a struggle to ensure the proper safeguards are in place to protect the public from rabies. Anything that makes rabies vaccination compliance more difficult should be seriously scrutinized. Rabies is essentially a 100% fatal disease to humans, dogs and cats.
* There are not enough resources in Chicago to enforce mandatory spay/neuter in a meaningful way.
* With regard to creating a healthier pet, there are both positive and negative affects accrued from sterilization. It appears that benefits outweigh risks; however, there are many breed and individual dog variants, suggesting that professional judgment is required to determine whether and when to neuter/spay pets.
* Although the ordinance¹s stated goals to reduce the number of unwanted pets and gang activity are laudable, said Dr. Steve Dullard, ISVMA Legislative Committee Chair, the reality is that it will have no effect on these problems. Instead, it will create some serious public health concerns, cause many animals to be denied necessary health care, and will trample on the personal property rights of conscientious pet owners.
The -End-
A COPY OF THE ISVMA POSITION STATEMENT ON THIS PROPOSAL IS AVAILABLE AT
http://www.isvma. org/member_ correspondence/ mandatory_ spay_neuter. doc
Press Release
June 2, 2008
Media Contact:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
, Brookfield Zoo
708/688-8351
Cookie eating Birthday cake
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brookfield Zoo’s Oldest Resident, Cookie Cockatoo, Celebrates 75th Birthday
Brookfield, IL—The oldest resident at Brookfield Zoo—Cookie, a Major Mitchell’s cockatoo—is turning 75, and the Chicago Zoological Society (CZS) invites bird lovers of all ages to come celebrate his special day in high-flying style on Saturday, June 28.
I just read the following through a group the Internet. I realize that most of us don't purchase our birds, but some shop at PetsMart. I haven't followed up on the details, but I thought it important enough to pass along:
Possibly someone here has more information than I do, but apparently Petsmart stores in at least three states (Minnesota, Washington, and Georgia) have reported having birds in their stores test positive for psittacosis. A Petland store in Minnesota also reported psittacosis. I don't know if this is any more widespread, but given that Petsmart tends to get many of its birds from a bird mill operation in Florida, it's quite likely that more stores than these received sick birds; these are just the ones I could find reporting sick birds from a quick Google check. If anyone here has purchased a bird recently from a Petsmart, I would seriously recommend going to an avian vet and testing for psittacosis.
Articles:
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/12903601.html
http://www.wtoctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7553326
http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_7781513?nclick_check=1
http://www.omakchronicle.com/nws/n071228a.shtml (mentions that the Florida vendor shipped birds to 45 states)
EDIT: As stated in comments, also New Jersey and Texas.
Dear Parrot Enthusiast,
Robin Shewokis, enrichment guru and owner of The Leather Elves (www.TheLeatherElves.com) and I are now hosting a pod cast.
