Buena
SAFE Volunteer 
No horse will ever teach you as much as your first horse.
Posts: 1,929
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Post by Buena on Nov 10, 2009 13:04:12 GMT -5
Well, I am guessing that complaints will now go to the King County Sheriff's office, which is ALSO already overburdened and having to make cuts. Hopefully a non-profit rescue-based solution will happen. Until then, the private citizens are left to clean up the messes of irresponsible scum like usual. Look for the auction to be even more full is my guess.
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Post by coconut on Nov 10, 2009 14:23:54 GMT -5
I just couldn't help myself and wrote to the Humane Society of Seattle to voice my concern about equine humane services (pr concern about the lack thereof). I hope to engage them in a conversation about what they intend to do with the "unwanted" horse situation (I dislike that term, btw!!)
What I didn't seem to get in the article is how they (King County) intends to investigate animal neglect/abuse? Is that now going to be part of the police/sheriff depts? I don't get it. My impression of the Humane Society is not an "enforcement" organization but an animal service organization...either way, I'm hoping that they'll branch out to the equine arm but I'm guessing since KCAC had no means to take in the unwanted horses, they will not either.
It's all such a mess...in my opinion!!!!
on a related note...perhaps...
Upon returning from my vacation I found an invite to the Kentucky Equine Humane Center in my email box ;D
since I fly free and have a fairly flexible schedule, I am planning to go out there after the holidays to spend some time and check out their facility. This is the place with the no-questions asked drop-off policy and stalls at all of the KY Tracks...they're very happy to share any information they have and to let me spend some time (a few days?!?!?) with them and their organization. What a gift!!!
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Post by winterlakesfarm on Nov 10, 2009 15:39:35 GMT -5
The Humane Society has already stated they want nothing to do with the "other" animals KCAC services. That would include, birds(weekly), goats(weekly), pigs(rarely), horses(monthly) and cows(monthly).
The current management at KCAC has been very dedicated to rescuing these animals to non-profits who do not slaughter. With KCAC going away so will this policy.
As far as operating in the red, lack of fundraising etc...........
Sigh.
The agency has the ability to be completely self funded through licensing. However the County Council has reduced staffing to the point there is no one to enforce licensing. There is literally 2, yes TWO, officers covering from Snohomish to Auburn somedays. With stray, hit by car, viscious, neglect/abuse etc..... no one has time to enforce licensing.
In fact the County Councils motion they voted on yesterday says that unless KCAC is completely self funded(full cost recovery) by June they will disolve the agency except for the most senior officers who will only serve unincorporated KC. Yet in the same session they are discussing doing away with the licensing canvassers?!?!?!?!? They very people who actually knock on doors and make phone calls to get people to renew their licenses. It will be an ugly couple of years before the individual cities could come up to speed on Animal Control. They are all in worse shape financially than the County and I am afraid of what that means for the citizens and animals.
If every person who owns an unlicensed cat or dog would license there would be more than enough money to properly fund and manage the agency so the people of the county and its animals would be properly served.
The agency has taken some well deserved hits recently when people saw the response times to calls, but look at the root cause and it is lack of support and funding from the County Council.
This is a fixable problem but it does not appear the Coucil wants to "fix" anything. They just want it to go away. It is not a "politically warm and fuzzy" to run an agency who euthanizes animals. The alternative could be far, far worse.
I hope that I am very wrong but I firmly believe this is a trainwreck in the making.......
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Post by coconut on Nov 10, 2009 21:57:12 GMT -5
I have a question ... if anyone knows...what becomes of my pet license fees now? I have all three of my home pets licensed (right, WLF  ) and I don't mind paying the $30 a pet IF I know that money is going to actually HELP animals...especially ones in neglect or abuse cases BUT I'm not going to be at all happy if those funds are going to help pay for something non-animal related...or will they divert the funds to the Humane Society or some other org that might be taking over those duties? |
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Post by coconut on Nov 11, 2009 1:18:23 GMT -5
well...that was FAST!!!! Here's the reply I got to my email from this moring... Hi Jeannette,
Thank you for your inquiry. Yes, the announced closure and suspension
of services by King County caught everyone a little bit off guard. We
have offered our assistance with companion animals (cats/dogs/small
animals) to both King County and to the cities located within King
County. We are not equipped to work with large animals such as horses.
My suggestion for you is to contact the King County Executive or King
County Council to ensure they understand your specific needs and
requirements. The function of the actual animal control services and
cruelty investigations also seems to be a topic of discussion in King
County. I have heard of several different options, but don't know what
plan King County has at this time.
I'm sorry I can't be of more assistance with your questions. I do want
to say Thank You for all of the work you're doing to help the animals in
the community.
David
David Loewe
Chief Operations Officer
Seattle Humane Society
"Bringing People and Pets Together."
Tel: (425) 649-7556
Cell: (425) 922-7193
Fax: (425) 747-2985
Email: David@seattlehumane.org
Web: www.seattlehumane.org
13212 SE Eastgate Way
Bellevue, WA 98005 |
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Post by coconut on Nov 11, 2009 2:28:54 GMT -5
just in case any of you in King County would like to contact the County Executive or your council member:
King County elected officials
King County Executive Kurt Triplett: kurt.triplett@kingcounty.gov
Councilmember - District 1 Bob Ferguson: bob.ferguson@kingcounty.gov
Councilmember - District 2 Larry Gossett: larry.gossett@kingcounty.gov
Councilmember - District 3 Kathy Lambert: kathy.lambert@kingcounty.gov
Councilmember - District 4 Larry Phillips: larry.phillips@kingcounty.gov
Councilmember - District 5 Julia Patterson: julia.patterson@kingcounty.gov
Councilmember - District 6 Jane Hague: jane.hague@kingcounty.gov
Councilmember - District 7 Pete von Reichbauer : pete.vonreichbauer@kingcounty.gov
Councilmember - District 8 Dow Constantine: dow.constantine@kingcounty.gov
Councilmember - District 9 Reagan Dunn: reagan.dunn@kingcounty.gov
I did!!! ;D
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rodeo51
Full BB Member
Katey
Posts: 203
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Post by rodeo51 on Nov 11, 2009 13:40:10 GMT -5
Can one complain if they don't live in King County?
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Buena
SAFE Volunteer
No horse will ever teach you as much as your first horse.
Posts: 1,929
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Post by Buena on Nov 11, 2009 13:44:36 GMT -5
Can one complain if they don't live in King County? I suppose you could, but it probably doesn't hold as much weight. Oh, and it's now: King County Executive Elect: Dow Constantine: dow.constantine@kingcounty.gov |
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) and I don't mind paying the $30 a pet IF I know that money is going to actually HELP animals...especially ones in neglect or abuse cases BUT I'm not going to be at all happy if those funds are going to help pay for something non-animal related...or will they divert the funds to the Humane Society or some other org that might be taking over those duties?