I'm sorry I didn't write about the AITF meeting sooner. I had to take some time off and focus on my health. Sometimes those of us who spend their lives doing rescue and raising kids forget to take some extra time for ourselves. So everyone pick a day this week, turn off your cell phone, and spend at least four hours doing something just for you...
The meeting on September 10th.
Mary Collette did a power point presentation showing the committee what the Task Force has been researching over the last year and a half. At the end of the presentation the City Council members and the committee members had a chance to ask questions. They focused on the need for a shelter and whether partnering with the Humane Society would be beneficial to the city, Humane Society, and taxpayers. City Councilman Doug Burlison asked the loaded question, "Is there too much animosity between Animal Control and the Humane Society of SW MO to try and build something as a team". Here is where I'm going to insert my opinion on the chocolate covered answers that were given to him...
I have had the chance to volunteer for both Animal Control and the HS of SW MO, and what I have found is A LOT of miscommunication. There are rescues that will work with one intentity that wont work for another, some for good reasons and some for very old and irrelevant reasons. There are MANY people holding ten year old grudges, and there are many people that have no clue the grudges are there. If anyone were to ask my opinion on the whole thing, I have two answers...
The politcally correct one...
We should all put grudges aside and work together since our goals are all similar and for the good of these animals that need our help.
The unfiltered answer...
There are a lot of people currently unwilling to work together...That being said, there were even more unwilling to work together a year ago. I think forming the AITF brought key people face to face, in a controlled environment, and caused some of them to realize they agree on many things. Because I have volunteered for both Animal Control and The Humane Society I have heard some really downright mean things said. I think what all of the people currently working at AC and the HS don't realize is that some people have a really long history disagreeing with the other, and some key people have no clue there is so much animosity. Things have changed IMMENSELY at both AC and the HS over the last 3 years!!! Everyone needs to re-evaluate!!!
Was the BSL discussed?
The subject was presented in the overview, but the committee chose to start with the most important issue first... which was the new shelter. We have to get these dogs and people out of the disgusting conditions at our current shelter. It is a horrible place, and as much as I want the BSL gone... We have to think about the masses first.We have to have a better place to house dogs and cats so they wont be almost guaranteed to get so sick anymore.
I have been told the BSL will be a topic of discussion soon and I will be notified to be there when it begins. I will keep everyone up to date!
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