Last night as I was getting home from work, I noticed a dog crossing the street and heading toward my house. She was an old dog, and walked like an old dog with the forlorn look of a lost dog. She didn't know where she was going, but she was afraid to stop moving. She wagged her tail for a moment. Then she quickly moved away. I got off my bike, and put it away.
By the time I got back, she was a half block down the street. I walked after her, but she kept moving away. I sat on the curb to see if she would come to me. She didn't. So I continued to follow at a slow pace. She kept moving away. Finally, I decided to stop following her, and see what she would do. As I walked away, she started following me. She followed me home.
My husband was sitting in the front yard waiting for me. He got a look at her tag, and I was able to call Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) and find her people's phone number. They were elated. Pepper had gotten out of the yard overnight. Her family had been burglarized the day before, and in the chaos, they didn't notice that the burglars had left the back gate open.
Pepper's family had spent the day looking for her. But the best thing they did to facilitate Pepper's safe return home was to have a current license and to keep Pepper's tags on her at all times. When she unexpectedly got out, even though we found her after MCACC hours, it was easy to call and get her home. Remember that. If you find a dog with tags, you can call MCACC anytime 602 506-7387 or 1-888-pets911, and you can get the owner's phone number. It's easy for the finder, the dog, and the dog's family. The family offered us a reward. We declined. Truth is, seeing them reunited was the best reward we could have gotten.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
ADLA Volunteers Meet the AZGF Commission
Thanks to ADLA volunteers who attended the Arizona Game & Fish Commission "Meet the Commission" Banquet on January 19 in Phoenix. ADLA had a full table displaying the ADLA name and logo, paid for by an anonymous donor.
Our presence is a small statement, and part of ADLA's larger campaign to remind the Game & Fish Commission and Department that many of their constituents do not hunt and fish. Their interests and the interests of wildlife must be balanced in Game and Fish decision-making.
Stephanie Nichols-Young
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Improbable Publicity for ferrets and prairie dogs
With apologies to Dave Barry...
I am not making this-up. In my usual pile of e-mails this morning I had one from one of ADLA's Prairie Dog Coalition partners, Jarid Manos of the Great Plains Restoration Council. It contained a cryptic message about a bodice ripping romance novel, plagiarism and black-footed ferrets. I admit it; I bit. I assume you will, too. http://www.newsweek.com/id/94543
This is as good as it gets for our issues. In addition to the juicy stuff (that I'll get to in a minute), writer Paul Tolme shows innovation, optimism and a sense of humor by using the fact that his work was plagiarized to write a Newsweek story in which he shares a bit about the plight of ferrets and prairie dogs.
He notes that black-footed ferrets have been listed as an endangered species. They are being reintroduced in states where they once lived, but there's a big problem. Their favorite food, black-tailed prairie dogs, is not as plentiful as it used to be and prairie dogs are still being poisoned- even on federal land.
As an aside, I should tell you that prairie dogs are incredibly cool animals in their own right. Arizona was once home to black-tailed prairie dogs, but we killed them off with poison decades ago. Arizona does have Gunnison's prairie dogs up north, and we hope some day black-tailed prairie dogs will be reintroduced in southeastern Arizona. Please visit the ADLA and Prairie Dog Coalition websites to learn why prairie dogs are so important. http://adlaz.org/
http://prairiedogcoalition.org/
Back to the juicy part. Mr. Tolme is a free-lance writer. In 2005, he went to the Conata Basin in South Dakota to write a story about ferrets for Defenders magazine. His story ran, and three years later much of it reappeared in Shadow Bear, the novel I mentioned earlier. The quotes that Mr. Tolme got from ferret expert Travis Livieri were now dialogue from the title character during some steamy moments in the novel. Instead of lawyering-up, Mr. Tolme wrote a story for Newsweek, and in the process took us all to school on how to get-out our messages.
I just heard from Jonathan Proctor of Defenders of Wildlife (another Prairie Dog Coalition partner) that the group that ferreted-out the Shadow Bear story is now putting information about these critters on their website http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/. Apparently, in the process, they are trying to raise awareness and money. If you had put this story in a novel, your editor would say "That's too far fetched. No one will believe it." But these are the opportunities for animal protection that we always have to be looking for. Who says we don't have a sense of humor? Who says being an animal advocate can't be fun?
Stephanie Nichols-Young
I am not making this-up. In my usual pile of e-mails this morning I had one from one of ADLA's Prairie Dog Coalition partners, Jarid Manos of the Great Plains Restoration Council. It contained a cryptic message about a bodice ripping romance novel, plagiarism and black-footed ferrets. I admit it; I bit. I assume you will, too. http://www.newsweek.com/id/94543
This is as good as it gets for our issues. In addition to the juicy stuff (that I'll get to in a minute), writer Paul Tolme shows innovation, optimism and a sense of humor by using the fact that his work was plagiarized to write a Newsweek story in which he shares a bit about the plight of ferrets and prairie dogs.
He notes that black-footed ferrets have been listed as an endangered species. They are being reintroduced in states where they once lived, but there's a big problem. Their favorite food, black-tailed prairie dogs, is not as plentiful as it used to be and prairie dogs are still being poisoned- even on federal land.
As an aside, I should tell you that prairie dogs are incredibly cool animals in their own right. Arizona was once home to black-tailed prairie dogs, but we killed them off with poison decades ago. Arizona does have Gunnison's prairie dogs up north, and we hope some day black-tailed prairie dogs will be reintroduced in southeastern Arizona. Please visit the ADLA and Prairie Dog Coalition websites to learn why prairie dogs are so important. http://adlaz.org/
http://prairiedogcoalition.org/
Back to the juicy part. Mr. Tolme is a free-lance writer. In 2005, he went to the Conata Basin in South Dakota to write a story about ferrets for Defenders magazine. His story ran, and three years later much of it reappeared in Shadow Bear, the novel I mentioned earlier. The quotes that Mr. Tolme got from ferret expert Travis Livieri were now dialogue from the title character during some steamy moments in the novel. Instead of lawyering-up, Mr. Tolme wrote a story for Newsweek, and in the process took us all to school on how to get-out our messages.
I just heard from Jonathan Proctor of Defenders of Wildlife (another Prairie Dog Coalition partner) that the group that ferreted-out the Shadow Bear story is now putting information about these critters on their website http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/. Apparently, in the process, they are trying to raise awareness and money. If you had put this story in a novel, your editor would say "That's too far fetched. No one will believe it." But these are the opportunities for animal protection that we always have to be looking for. Who says we don't have a sense of humor? Who says being an animal advocate can't be fun?
Stephanie Nichols-Young
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Hog Factory Proposal officially withdrawn; stay vigilant
It's official. Cullison Farms LLC says its done with its planned hog factory near Dateland, Arizona, according to an article in the Yuma Sun. This is great news, but the animal protection community and other concerned citizens shouldn't let their guard down.
In ADLA's last newsletter, we reported that Cullison had not submitted new applications to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. But we didn't want to assume Cullison had changed its plans, until we had some official word. This facility never made sense at its proposed location. Not only was it bad for hogs, but also the community and clean air and water. Morever, it was a threat to scarce quantities of water in southwestern Arizona.
People concerned about industrial hog factories need to stay vigilant. PFFJ, LLC, a Hormel subsidiary, had been looking for a local farmer to host this facility for over a year. It will undoutedly continue its search. While we remain vigilant, we should take a moment to appreciate the victory and the folks who made it happen. Our thanks and congratulations to local farmers, landowners and businesses who got involved. Some expressed outright opposition, others expressed concern about specific aspects. They worked hard and took a lot of criticism for speaking out against this flawed proposal. ADLA played a supporting role and is proud to have helped them. That's sometimes a tough role for a small, grassroots organziation. We want to get ADLA's name out to further its effectiveness. But sometimes other voices will be better heard and be more effective. ADLA has to put its mission "to protect and defend Arizona's animals" before promoting the organization.
Stephanie Nichols-Young
In ADLA's last newsletter, we reported that Cullison had not submitted new applications to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. But we didn't want to assume Cullison had changed its plans, until we had some official word. This facility never made sense at its proposed location. Not only was it bad for hogs, but also the community and clean air and water. Morever, it was a threat to scarce quantities of water in southwestern Arizona.
People concerned about industrial hog factories need to stay vigilant. PFFJ, LLC, a Hormel subsidiary, had been looking for a local farmer to host this facility for over a year. It will undoutedly continue its search. While we remain vigilant, we should take a moment to appreciate the victory and the folks who made it happen. Our thanks and congratulations to local farmers, landowners and businesses who got involved. Some expressed outright opposition, others expressed concern about specific aspects. They worked hard and took a lot of criticism for speaking out against this flawed proposal. ADLA played a supporting role and is proud to have helped them. That's sometimes a tough role for a small, grassroots organziation. We want to get ADLA's name out to further its effectiveness. But sometimes other voices will be better heard and be more effective. ADLA has to put its mission "to protect and defend Arizona's animals" before promoting the organization.
Stephanie Nichols-Young
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
New Biochip Could Replace Animal Testing
US scientists have created two biochips that could replace the use of animals in toxicity tests for chemicals and drugs. The biochips mimic the reaction of the human body and reveal whether chemicals and pharmaceuticals are toxic to skin and organs.
According to an article in the current Scientific American magazine, biochips promise to deliver better drug and chemical testing, cutting costs and nixing the need for most animal testing.
State leaders want Arizona to become a state-of-the art biotech hub. If so, scientists at TGen and academic institutions should take note of this breakthrough technology that provides a low cost, accurate alternative to animal testing. As Arizona expands its biotech industry, this is the type of cutting-edge science that should be embraced.
Karen Michael
According to an article in the current Scientific American magazine, biochips promise to deliver better drug and chemical testing, cutting costs and nixing the need for most animal testing.
State leaders want Arizona to become a state-of-the art biotech hub. If so, scientists at TGen and academic institutions should take note of this breakthrough technology that provides a low cost, accurate alternative to animal testing. As Arizona expands its biotech industry, this is the type of cutting-edge science that should be embraced.
Karen Michael
Sunday, December 16, 2007
"City of Covance"
That was my favorite lawyer slip-up at oral argument on the various Motions to Dismiss before Judge Paul McMurdie of Maricopa County Superior Court in Weedon v. Covance.
Judge McMurdie took the matter under advisement - that means he will rule later. The "City of Covance" faux pas came from Joe Mais who represents Covance Laboratories, Inc. I suspect many Chandler residents think Mr. Mais got it right. The City of Chandler's City Council and staff failed to provide a meaningful public process, and go through a rigorous due diligence process. It makes you wonder if Arizona's fifth largest City is the City of Covance.
There were a number of motions pending in the hearing. All Motions to Dismiss. These are what lawyers call procedural motions, and what lay people call technicalities. The plaintiffs may have an uphill fight, based on the Judge's questions and comments, but Plaintiffs' lawyer Ty Tabor did a nice job, and addressed the Judge's questions head on. He correctly reminded the Judge that for the purposes of ruling on Motions to Dismiss, he must assume the allegations of the First Amended Complaint are true. He also pointed out that the allegations are factual, and based on actual events from Covance facilities around the country. Mr. Mais had challenged this in his opening.
I guess in the City of Covance facts are a little different than they are in the rest of the country.
Stephanie Nichols-Young
Judge McMurdie took the matter under advisement - that means he will rule later. The "City of Covance" faux pas came from Joe Mais who represents Covance Laboratories, Inc. I suspect many Chandler residents think Mr. Mais got it right. The City of Chandler's City Council and staff failed to provide a meaningful public process, and go through a rigorous due diligence process. It makes you wonder if Arizona's fifth largest City is the City of Covance.
There were a number of motions pending in the hearing. All Motions to Dismiss. These are what lawyers call procedural motions, and what lay people call technicalities. The plaintiffs may have an uphill fight, based on the Judge's questions and comments, but Plaintiffs' lawyer Ty Tabor did a nice job, and addressed the Judge's questions head on. He correctly reminded the Judge that for the purposes of ruling on Motions to Dismiss, he must assume the allegations of the First Amended Complaint are true. He also pointed out that the allegations are factual, and based on actual events from Covance facilities around the country. Mr. Mais had challenged this in his opening.
I guess in the City of Covance facts are a little different than they are in the rest of the country.
Stephanie Nichols-Young
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