Animal Friends Rescue Project/Brown Legislation

I am an animal advocate.  It's in my blood.  I have loved animals since I can remember and wanted to care for them. My dogs have been faithful companions and a source of comfort to me and my family.  But what is it about Western society that makes it possible for people to express great affection for animals and at the same time, ignore the most heartless behavior toward them?  Animals are sold as expensive commodities, used for food and clothing, subject to laboratory experiments, and hunted for sport.  However, they are also treated as members of the family, used as the cause of social movements, and made the subject of art, film, and poetry.  These contradictions inspired me to venture into social worlds of veterinary clinics where companion animals are cared for, and animal shelters where dogs and cats are adopted or "mercifully" euthanized. 

I currently volunteer for the A.F.R.P. (Animal Friends Rescue Project) as a foster parent for homeless dogs,
assist in animal transport, fundraise, participate in adoption fairs, interview potential adopters, and conduct home inspections.  One of my favorite foster dogs was a blind long-haired Chihuahua I named "Mr. Budders."  My husband called him "Pin Ball" for a while, as you can imagine, but he soon negotiated his way around the house and yard without bumping into things, was a great companion for my elderly chocolate Labrador "Bella", and a joy to have around.  I finally found him a great home 8 months later, but I still think about him today. 

Governor Jerry Brown is trying to repeal a number of provisions in The Hayden Law passed in California in 1998 citing budget concerns  http://sacbee.com/2012/01/14/4186863/jerry-browns-budget-plan-would.html.   Some of the provisions subject to repeal would mean permanently reducing the required holding period for animals to 72 hours prior to euthanasia, eliminating the requirement to provide veterinary treatment for shelter animals, and eliminating the requirement to keep records for animals impounded by shelter personnel, which would only make it more difficult to locate lost animals of those available for adoption.  The currently law holds animals for six days, which gives rescues like the A.F.R.P. time to find fosters or locate animals to particular rescue groups.  The bill is already being re-written and the Hayden Law provisions in question have been revised or stricken entirely.  http://www.dof.ca.gov/budgeting/trailer_bill_language/corrections_and_general_government/documents/%5b301%5d%20Repeal%20Make%20Permissive%20Specified%20Mandates.pdf

You can voice your disapproval of Governor Brown's giant step backwards for the animals of California by signing this petition https://www.change.org/petitions/the-governor-of-ca-do-not-repeal-any-provisions-of-the-hayden-law. 

In later blogs I will address puppy mills, reflections on participant observation and interviews, and other legislation. 

"What is freedom of expression?  Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist." -- Salman Rushdie