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Volume 2 Issue 2
June 2000
Published QUARTERLY by
SOUTHWEST TEXAS ANIMAL
CARE &
CONTROL ASSOCIATION
Inside This Issue
What's Happening?
Gorilla's Need Our Help
Introducing!
Animal Friendly License Plates Update
From the President's Desk
Wish I Had Said That
Rural Animal Control
Training Opportunities
Look for Us On the Net!
And the Winners Are...
We Need a Vote From YOU!
Board Notes...
The Results Are In
A Huge Thanks
Employment Opportunities
Take This Quiz
From The Desk of Dr. T
Special Stars To...
What's Happening?
If you missed the 2000 Conference, you really missed the BEST! We had 42 attendees, GREAT speakers, GREAT exhibitors, and awesome sponsors. Not to mention the very successful silent auction, and the great door prizes (I think EVERYONE went home with SOMETHING). You MUST make plans NOW to attend the 2001 conference. It will be at the Civic Center in Live Oak, Texas. You won't want to miss it! It promises to be EVEN better than the last! If you start planning and budgeting NOW, you won't have a reason NOT to attend! We will have the dates for you ASAP, so you can start your planning.
Our next STACCA Board meeting is July 13, 2000 following the CE training in Devine, TX. You are welcome to attend the board meetings.
Gorillas Urgently Need Our Help
The magnificent 2,400 square mile Kahuzi-Biega is a lush equatorial National Park which includes the original reserve of mountain forest and bamboo fields (embracing the Kahuzi and Biega extinct volcanoes) and a massive extension of lowland forest. This World Heritage Site is situated to the southwest of Lake Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. This has been the home of Grauer's gorilla until recent actions of man laid waste to this idyllic setting and propelled this gorilla towards extinction. Grauer's gorilla (the Eastern lowland subspecies) is found only in Eastern DRC. 86% of the total population lived in Kahuzi-Biega. Riddled with a legacy of civil unrest, war erupted within the borders of DRC in August 1998. Authorities disarmed the park Rangers. Poachers moved into the park, brutally murdering the wildlife without fear of penalty.
Faced with the prospect of confronting heavily armed teams of poachers, the Rangers' task became impossible. Within 18 months the gorilla population was decimated. The Rangers were impotent to respond. Of the 247 gorillas within the original reserve, only 96 gorillas remain today. The more expansive lowland extension is at much greater risk from poaching because it is occupied by Interahamwe, Congolese MaiMai militias, and Congolese RCD rebels, but we have no wildlife population numbers from that area. We do know that observations from the original reserve are only a hint of the atrocities occurring in the lowland forest. In the original reserve, all four groups habituated for tourist viewing and most of the study groups observed for scientific research have been slaughtered. The silverback named Mushamuka, featured in the 1988 movie "Gorillas in the Mist," was butchered. Maheshe, the most famous gorilla in DRC, was brutally murdered by poachers.
Maheshe was a national treasure, a proud symbol for the Congolese people. He had achieved national recognition when his silverback image amongst his family was chosen for the 50,000 Zaire note. The Congolese people referred to the monetary note as, "the Maheshe." In January, Dr. Jo Thompson (Director of the Lukuru Wildlife Research Project) received a plea from the Park Conservateur asking for bulletproof vests to provide lifesaving safety for his men as they once again move to protect the few remaining precious gorilla lives. This rare gorilla, poised on the brink of extinction, and the dedicated Rangers need our help. We are looking for bulletproof vests for small stature men, many from Pygmy descent. Please respond to this plea by collecting good condition bulletproof vests from your local police department and shipping these vests to the Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Your action is deeply appreciated!
The vests may be shipped as follows:
Attn: Dr. Michel Hasson
Nouvelles Approches
15 Place du Roi Vainqueur (Bte 10)
1040 Bruxelles
Belgique
Or
Julee Roth
ChilsonRoth, LLC
409 AABC, Suite F
Aspen, CO 81611
(970)920-9400
Introducing...
Your new STACCA officers!!!!
President
Roger D. Messick
Humane Society/SPCA of Bexar County
307 W. Jones
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 226-7461 (office)
(210) 227-PAWS (fax)
(210) 506-DOGS (pager)
(210) 386-4445 (cellular)
(210) 646-0528 (home)
President Elect
Richard Gould
City of Live Oak
8001 Shin Oak
Live Oak, TX 78233
210-653-9140 (office)
210-599-3753 (fax)
Secretary
Brenda McGlothlin
City of Universal City
262 E. Kitty Hawk
Universal City, TX 78148
210-658-0700 (office)
210-659-7062 (fax)
Treasurer
Cheryl Krueger
Humane Society of New Braunfels
P . O. Box 310231
New Braunfels, TX 78131-0231
830-629-5287 (office)
830-629-0186 (fax)
Position 2
John Powell
City of San Antonio
7118 Stone Fence
San Antonio, TX 78227
(210) 207-6665
210-737-6995 (fax)
Position 4
Cheryl Patino
City of San San Antonio
210 Tuleta
San Antonio, TX 78212
210-207-6665
210-737-6995 (fax)
Position 5 (one year term)
Leslie Kocurek
P. O. Box 1541
Medina, TX 78055
830-589-2523
Position 6
Triple Kocerk
P. O. Box 1541
Medina, TX 78055
830-589-2523
Position 8
Janie Roman
Kerr County
3317 Loop 534
Kerrville, TX 78028
830-257-3100
(830) 257-6963 (fax)
Animal Friendly License Plate Update
In 1997 when the Texas Legislature passed the Animal Friendly License Plate Bill it provided that for each Animal Friendly License Plate sold, $20 would go into an animal friendly fund to help pay for the cost of spaying and neutering dogs and cats throughout the state. However, the money in the animal friendly fund is not available for this purpose until the animal friendly fund has amassed a total of $500,000. As of February, 2000, the animal friendly fund had amassed the sum of $245,640 resulting from the sale and annual renewal of over 8,400 Animal Friendly License Plates since September, 1997 making the Animal Friendly License Plate the second most popular plate in the state; second only to the State of-the-Arts Plate which has been available since September 1995.
Because of the early success with the sale of Animal Friendly License Plates, the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) intends to go back to the Texas Legislature in January 2001 and request that the $500,000 requirement be removed and permit the immediate use of the money in the animal friendly fund for its intended purpose of spaying and neutering dogs and cats. Being able to spay and neuter today as opposed to two or three years from now will prevent the deaths of many animals. The key ingredient to THLN's success in getting the Texas Legislature to remove the $500,000 requirement is to show an even larger balance in the animal friendly fund. In other words, the larger the balance in the fund - the better their chances are. Their job between now and January 2001 is to sell even more Animal Friendly License Plates!
Therefore, they are asking anyone who has a vehicle without Animal Friendly License Plates on it to buy the plates now. You do not need to wait until your current license expires. You can get your Animal Friendly License Plate at any time. The cost is only $25.00 and you can get an application for the plates in any one of the following ways:
(1) Contact the Special Plates Branch of the Texas Department of Transportation, Vehicle Titles and Registration Division, Austin, TX 78779-0001 or 512/374-5010.
(2) Contact your local tax accessor's office.
(3) Contact the Texas Humane Legislation Network at www.thln.com, or 1-888-548-6263.
The more plates we buy, the more plates others will buy when they see them on our cars. One of the best selling points for the plates is how cute they are. Please make one last gigantic effort to increase the sales of these Animal Friendly License Plates. Our four-legged friends are counting on us.
From the President's Desk
We truly had a great conference. Although I know many of you could not attend due to prior commitments, etc., you really missed the BEST conference ever. As your new STACCA President, I am committed to helping all of YOU make STACCA Number ONE!
We do have a great group and we are growing! Let your fellow professionals in the animal care and control industry know about us. We have all that the "others" have and MUCH more! If you had a chance to pick up one of our brochures at the Federation Conference or at the STACCA conference, you KNOW what we are all about. Our commitment is education, education, education. Spread the word about STACCA.
Wish I Had Said That
Over the long run, superior performance depends on superior learning.
~Peter Senge~
Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.
~John Robert Wooden~
The supreme quality for a leader is unquestionably integrity.
~Dwight D. Eisenhower~
When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.
~Alexander Graham Bell~
The amateur salesperson sells products; the professional sells solutions to needs and problems.
~Stephen R. Covey~
The tragedy of man is not that man dies, but what dies within man while he is alive.
~Albert Schweitzer~
Rural Animal Control
Those of you working in town may have similar stories, but as more city folk move out of town, those of us in the rural areas have been bombarded with the foolish masses of self made homesteaders.
Late at night the 911 phone rings in dispatch and the lady on the phone is frantic because of a sick raccoon that is in her house, and the kids have been handling it. A Deputy is sent out and the ACO dragged out of bed. The Deputy, on arrival, calms the distraught woman and starts to get more information only to find that the woman found the raccoon on the side of the road four days earlier. Feeling sorry for the poor little thing, and afraid it would be run over by some uncaring motorist, she brought the animal home to teach the kids about healing small animals and caring for wildlife. The woman tried to cure the animal from an illness that caused the animal to "stumble around" and look "disorientated". It would only eat or drink when forced by one or more family members (by using a syringe).
Upon arrival the ACO removed the animal from the baby crib that had been fixed up for it to recuperate in. The woman had called because she had decided to check the Internet, looking for a cure for whatever was wrong with the raccoon. She had meant to do this sooner but she had been "swamped at work lately and since the animal seemed to be getting worse and she could not sleep she had stayed up on her computer searching for the cure". The panic had come when she discovered that raccoons are rabies carriers.
The woman was upset to find out that the animal was going to be euthanized for testing and even wanted to "home quarantine" the animal until a Veterinarian could check it out and cure it of whatever was wrong, After quite some time we convinced this woman what the law required and the possible health risk to her children. She was questioned and each of the children's names taken down for the report and the follow up after the results were in from the lab. When the woman was questioned about her occupation it was learned she was a Pediatric Physician. In this particular case we had a distemper outbreak and this raccoon tested negative.
Then there was the lady that called every few nights complaining about the neighbor's chickens roosting in the tree in her driveway every evening. After checking the area several times and not locating any chickens anywhere, and since we could not check the property because of a locked gate and high fence, it was time to make a "night call" while the complainant was home. As the ACO arrived at 9:30 and drove up to the house it became apparent that the problem was going to get a little more complicated. The large "mostly dead" live oak in the drive area was the temporary home to between 75 and 100 turkey buzzards. The lady became very upset when she learned that the ACO could not shoo, shoot, or trap and remove the birds. After explaining all the status of the Vulture and the law, the ACO left. The tree was cut down the next day.
If you have funny stories send them in and we will try to make this a regular feature. You may reach us via email at swtacca@yahoo.com or www.stacca.org once our web site is on line and operational.
TDH, Region 8 Continuing Education and Training Opportunities
July 13, CE Meeting. Devine Topic: Media Relations
August 10, CE Meeting. Gonzales Topic: Reports/Paperwork for Animal Seizures
September 14, CE Meeting. San Antonio
October 19**, CE Meeting. Victoria ** Please Note: This meeting date has been changed from October 12.
November 9, CE Meeting. Leon Valley
December 14, CE Meeting. Live Oak
Look for us on the Net!
We will soon be on the Internet. Check us out at www.stacca.org! Tell your colleagues. Our website will be full of information about STACCA, certification requirements, certification forms, membership forms, and THIS newsletter! Let's get the word out! We will be adding new things, so check back OFTEN! Once we are up and running, you may e-mail us through the STACCA website, so don't hesitate to send us your comments, suggestions, questions, etc. We would also appreciate you letting us know of any change of address or place of employment, too! We want to keep in touch with ALL of you!
And the Winners Are...
The winners of the 2000 Animal Capture Competition were:
Willie Arausa
Damiana Garza-Gould
They each won a beautiful belt buckle.
The following were winners of the raffles:
Christie Basquez - small trap
Janie Roman - medium trap
Joe Munoz - cat grasper
Mark Zimmerman - medium trap
Robert Alexander - cat grasper
Freddie Martin - large trap
We Need a VOTE from YOU - our membership!
Due to an oversight at the annual meeting, we neglected one order of important business. This will require a vote from YOU!
We have checked with NACA (National Animal Care Association) and they are willing to let OUR members have membership with them for $15 (usual cost is $35). But, according to our bylaws, in order to change our dues from $20 to $35, we need a majority vote from the general membership. Of COURSE, the $20 membership fee will still be an option for those not wanting NACA membership.
If you are a member, a ballot is enclosed in this newsletter. PLEASE vote and return in the enclosed envelope by JULY 10, 2000! We NEED your vote in order to discuss this at our July 13th Board meeting.
Board Notes...
We will be using this space to keep you informed of what your board is doing.
Your board is hard at work trying to make STACCA number ONE! We have discussed the requirements for certification and what we need from YOU when you mail us your certification renewals. Keep watching this section of the newsletter for further information on what IS required.
We will be appointing a CE committee and will be developing a form for you to submit CE training for board review. This would only be used for training that is out of the ordinary (i.e. dog shows, home study, defensive driving, etc.).
The Results Are IN!
ALL of our speakers got RAVE reviews according to the workshop/conference evaluations! THANK you for taking the time to fill them out. It helps US to have even BETTER conferences. You guys are the BEST!
A HUGE Thanks!
You ALL deserve a pat on the back for your commitment to the conference. Everyone stayed for the lunch speaker (and wasn't he awesome?), and the MAJORITY of you stayed until the end. You deserve KUDOS! We have a GREAT group of professionals, don't we? Even our exhibitors commented on YOU! Keep up the good work!
Employment Opportunities
The City of Grey Forest has an opening for a Part-time Animal Control Officer.
This is a newly created position working for in a rural area with established animal control laws. Office will be responsible for setting up the program, including coordinating a vet to house the animals that are impounded.
For more information call Grey Forest City Hall (210) 695-3261 or apply in person at the City of Grey Forest 18502 Scenic Loop Road, Helotes, TX 78023.
Take This Quiz
Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.
Easier?
The lesson?
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
From the Desk of Dr. T
Justin came up with a really good project for Region 8. He is going to put together a "picture book" of Region 8 Model Animal Shelters as a supplement to our Animal Shelter Construction Guide. He will be making the rounds to our designated Model Animal Shelters with our digital camera. We would like to start with a photo of the shelter as a whole and below the photo include the demographics, such as human population served; number of kennels, cages at the facility; number of personnel/positions; annual budget; number of animals housed per year, etc. Then we would like to include a one page "blue-print" of the facility or at least a scale drawing of the facility. Although it is sometimes difficult to get real good detail photos, we would like to include special features unique to that facility, such as an improved version of a guillotine door, gutters, storage, gates, resting pads, etc.
Currently our Region 8 Model Animal Shelters include Brackettville Animal Shelter, the New Braunfels Humane Society, and the Seguin Animal Control Facility.
Justin later found out through our TDH Zoonosis monthly conference call that TDH Austin wants to take our regional idea for developing a "guide to establish Animal Control from scratch" and make it a statewide project. They want to see what we have developed and then form a zoonosis team to put the package together. They said that they want both TACA and STACCA to have input into the project. I told Justin to continue with our plans of developing the Model Shelter Picture Guide. If anyone in STACCA would like to offer suggestions on how to develop an animal control program from scratch, PLEASE contact us with your ideas. Also, anyone that has had experience (good or bad) in getting an animal control program started needs to contact us.
I would like to have the draft complete before September 1 so that we can get the final product completed before I retire.
I can be reached at TDH Region 8 Uvalde, 830-278-7173 or e-mail me at
Catherine.Tull@tdh.state.tx.us
Special Stars To...
Animal Care & Equipment, Bernhard, ChilsonRoth, Chlor-Air, Designing Health, DogiPot, Inc., The Fund for Animals, Havahart Live Traps , HEB, Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Invisible Fence, Jones Trailer, Ketch-All Company, The Kong Company, Mr. Gatti's, Pet Guard, Scrivener's, TFH Publications, Tomahawk Live Trap Company
We appreciate all you did to make our millennium conference a success.
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