As one of the principals in this campaign, I'll attempt a brief summary
about efforts for a bill that will establish the first FEDERAL humane
euthanasia of animals law in the USA - that being
sedation/tranquilization (because animals are sentient beings who
experience fear and trauma) followed by lethal intravenous injection of
sodium pentobarbital administered by veterinarians or trained, certified
euthanasia technicians, ONLY! That means no CO2 and carbon monoxide gas
chambers, no compression chambers, no clubbing, no shooting, no drowning
or electrocution. This law should apply specifically to all companion
animal species and ANY species housed by any shelter or pound in
America. (Studies have already shown that sodium pentobarbital is
cheaper than gas.)
At some point we may form an official Coalition and establish a public
e-list to discuss this issue. We will need Congressional sponsors of the
bill and animal-law experts to assist with drafting the bill. Until
then:
1. This is the most simplistic campaign possible. Already every no-kill
shelter and kill shelter in America utilizing the above recommended
method is in compliance. The horrible examples from some shelters and
dog pounds have been frequently exposed in the media (and watched by our
children on TV). As one advocate put it, "this campaign has spread like
wildfire." Shame on anyone who attempts to complicate or impede it.
2. Some representatives of national and international organizations have
promised to support such a measure, although those may not yet be
official commitments. (You should soon start seeing something about this
on many of their websites.) Some groups are unable to meet on this issue
until October. I propose thinking about how we'll proceed further and
then waiting until after Sept. 11th, because the nation's attention
should rightfully be turned to memorializing the victims of 9-11. Come
Sept. 12, let it rip! For all those candidates currently running for
election in November - here is your new platform issue, and if you don't
add it, it's going to cost you votes.
3. We've heard from one naysayer - a legal expert from a national
organization who basically said "a federal law is not possible at this
time." We beg to differ. We already have a federal Animal Welfare Act
(such as it is and Sen. Jesse Helms notwithstanding) - we will pass this
bill, too. Tell your objections directly to the millions of animals who
are dragged yowling and screaming to a tin box where they die a clawing,
panicky death while hot carbon monoxide fumes pour into their lungs. And
good luck justifying to your membership, volunteers and contributors why
your organization chose to not support this measure. If you're not in
this campaign, stand aside, because you're likely to be trampled.
4. A federal law is not only possible, humane euthanasia practices are
already the law in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and all of the
Scandinavian countries. We need to lose any jingoistic attitudes now and
consult experts from other countries about how to achieve this. Further,
this campaign does not need to stay American - all of you advocates in
Canada and Australia, for example, should be working on the same issue.
5. This is not an "animal welfare" or an "animal rights" campaign. This
in no way detracts from any efforts to establish a no-kill shelter
system in America (should that successfully come about, it will simply
make this federal law obsolete). This only supports your local and state
campaigns for similar measures (and makes future such efforts
unnecessary). This campaign is in no way a condemnation of any shelter
that practices euthanasia; we already know there aren't enough good
homes for the animals in your care. (If you're a purist philosopher who
doesn't endorse the "concept" of euthanasia - have you been to a major
metro shelter lately_ YOU find homes for them!) This bill will not
perpetuate any unsuitable "animal welfare" practices, it's a long
overdue step to prevent cruel murder. By passing this bill, we will
force government at all levels to pay attention to all the reasons and
necessities for euthanasia: lack of low-cost spay/neuter programs, poor
enforcement of licensing and animal welfare laws, proliferation of puppy
mills and backyard breeders, irresponsibility of some pet guardians,
lack of animal-friendly rental properties, public officials who don't
give a damn about animals, etc. This law will create jobs and income for
euth. technicians and veterinarians. When it achieves its full impact,
it will actually reduce the tax burden on the public. This campaign will
put the killing in front of the public - many of whom still believe that
animals go to a shelter and then all go to loving homes or a "farm in
the country." This law addresses the frustration and mental anguish that
volunteers, rescuers, and shelter employees have endured for decades and
the time is NOW! For the animals who have already experienced a horrible
death, this law has been a long time in coming. As Gandhi said, "A
nation and its moral progress can be judged by how its animals are
treated."
6. This is a campaign that should and must be supported by everyone with
the slightest connection to animals - that includes all the registries
(AKC, CFA, TICA, etc.), all the breeders and breed clubs, all the
shelter management and workers, all the rescuers, all the animal
organizations, all the list-owners, all the pet guardians and every
animal lover, all vets and euthanasia technicians, every pet columnist
and investigative reporter, all the pet supply store owners - everyone!
Reactions from some national reps. have been "Finally, a campaign we can
all work on together!" This is it folks - no matter our individual views
and agendas - vegan and meat-eater, Republican, Democrat or Independent,
this requires YOU writing to Congress, your local government, and any
animal-related group you support in any manner. Every list, every group,
every rescue and rescuer should already be discussing this issue and the
letters and mailing list they intend to use. While you wait and
deliberate and discuss and take meetings and postpone, think of the
animals who are at this very moment choking on the hot fumes. While this
campaign comes together ask your local media to report on euthanasia
practices in your community NOW!
7. No group or individual should be proprietary about this campaign. It
is OUR campaign for the animals. We've failed them for decades - even
this bill/law is too little, too late. If we can't guarantee them
anything else, yet, we can and will guarantee them a gentle,
compassionate death.
A proposed name for the campaign and tagline - if you like it, use it -
if you have a better suggestion, let one of us know: "The 'Kill Them
With Kindness Campaign': Please support a FEDERAL humane euthanasia of
animals law."
8. Eventually, all of us in this will begin naming the groups who have
made this an official campaign and promised their support. You will be
conspicuous by your absence. Please put this issue and a letter-writing
campaign on your personal agenda. (*Anyone of any stature in advocacy
who would like to contribute a supportive quotation for this campaign
can send those directly to me
or Livi French,
, and
we'll make use of them.)
Will you starting drafting your letters today and making additions to
your websites_
And lastly, a poem dedicated to this effort.
Jim
The Tiergarten Sanctuary Trust
Before you die, unwanted one,
I swear there was no way,
I tried - I did! - I promise...
I cried, I cursed, I prayed.
I mailed, I called, I pleaded,
for one to make room for you,
but only Heaven responded,
and there you'll find your due.
You've the most honest eyes I've seen,
a heart so loyal and true -
but our society has decided,
you've no purpose or value.
I wish that I could change things,
you've been wronged - it is not right!
But all I can offer, Precious...
a gentle passing into that good night.
*******
|