Comments on: A reply to my open letter to Mary Jo White, Chair of the ASPCA Board of Directors

By: Dale Swisher

Dale Swisher — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 14:20:12 +0000

Valarie, thank you for your work. I am a volunteer at the Caboodle Ranch, which was raided by the Madison County Florida Sheriff’s Dept and the ASPCA on Feb. 27, 2012. The 650+ cats and two guard dogs who lived in the largest outdoor cat sanctuary in the world (Guinness Book of World Records 2012) have been confined to cages in a warehouse in Jacksonville, Fl, every since. Recently, the ranch lost its custody case and the animals will probably be put up for adoption–or I should say, parceled out to be killed in kill-shelters. We will appeal, but you can imagine our pockets are not deep. We have thousands of supporters at Caboodle Ranch Fan Page & Caboodle Ranch Inc, in Facebook. The raid was politically motivated by PeTA to influence the discussion on the Florida Animal Rescue Act, which would have required kill shelters to notify no-kill before doing the kill. As you know, PeTA would prefer all companion pets die. The ASPCA is so disappointing because it could have been a partner in a wonderful new type of sanctuary. The ranch has water, electricity, AC, fencing, separate facilities for cats with FIV. Fate was against us the day of the raid, as the weather was horrific–teeming rain, and the outdoor cats came in. Litter boxes were full at 8AM, as the cleaners had not arrived. One of the ASPCA investigators, said “the majority of cats were in dire need of medical attention.” Later that day another investigator, Dr Dick Green, said the majority of cats were not in dire need of medical attention, and the majority of cats did not look like those in the PeTA video. I went to CR twice last year from NJ. It was not as depicted in the PeTA video. The PeTA spy took five months to find cats with URIs and was deceitful in filming a refrigerator that was not used, a three-legged cat that she chased so she could show how it in its worst light (we have been told that that cat was killed at the shelter. It was not sick when it was taken.) I was hoping to also reach Mary Jo White, but realize she will probably not be accessible. Cats that had a happy life at CR will now probably be sent to kill shelters. The cats were left at the ranch because owners could not keep them for various reasons–some were behavioral reasons. These cats are doomed, as are the unadoptable ferals. I have been working for months as a volunteer to try to find a way to make the ASPCA realize what a benefit it would be to their organization and Madison County Florida to make the ranch better, not to destroy it. But I am finding the ASPCA’s goal is to make money, not save lives. I remain hopeful at the moment, but the appeal is probably our last chance. Thanks for the opportunity to make this statement and thanks for your wonderful efforts.

By: Death Row Dog Rescue

Death Row Dog Rescue — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:34:01 +0000

I so agree but so many of the public were never aware of what really is going on–Thank you so much for being in the front line and doing what very few will-Diana

By: Donna Bloomer

Donna Bloomer — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:27:36 +0000

I received a ‘carbon copy’ of the ASPCA’s letter, and had almost exactly the same responses to it. THANKS for dissecting the letter for us!

By: Valerie Hayes

Valerie Hayes — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:47:54 +0000

Apparently they are sending this letter to anyone who writes to Mary Jo White or to the ASPCA and mentions the Quick Kill Bill. Eventually the ASPCA will have to come to terms with their declining reputation. The problem is that they have such a relentless marketing machine that has become their driving force, rather than the welfare of animals, which should be their driving force. They can delay their day of reckoning by continuing to solicit funds from the ignorant, so the best thing to do is make sure that everyone you know is not among the ignorant. I do believe that by pursuing the Quick Kill Bill and opposing CAARA, and by ignoring constructive criticism from animal advocates, they are hastening that day of reckoning. Eventually, and it may be sooner than we think, the hastening will outstrip the delaying. It really seems like an organization that is working against itself as well as working against the animals and animal rescuers.

By: Mary Ann Toy

Mary Ann Toy — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:32:41 +0000

What an awesome and factual letter! I applaud every animal friend that can see the transparency of the ASPCA. Cry me a river ASPCA as you lie to the public and then kill our animals. Each day your being exposed for what you really are, a money hungry killing machine! You can bet everyone I meet in the public is being made aware that their hard money is going into your pockets and not for the animals. Hopefully everyone will unite and join the NATIONAL PROTEST AGAINST KILL POUNDS on May 12th. The time has come to fight back for all the abusive killing of our animals. I will be with hundreds of animals friends standing united! I will also make sure that many many people will stop donating to the ASPCA! The time has come for NOTHING LESS THAN A REVOLUTION! Mary Ann Toy, member of the NY-ARRA

By: Eva

Eva — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:05:42 +0000

I received a similar, meaningless reply to my email to Ms White (pres of the ASPCA Board of Directors). Granted my letter wasn’t as eloquent as yours but it was polite, to the point. I asked specific questions. None of them was answered. They could not be in a form letter right? so – why bother? But how can I communicate my disappointment with the organization which obviously failed in its mission to help animals?

I hope the world is paying attention. Animal lovers and activist certainly are!

By: Kay Riviello

Kay Riviello — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:49:11 +0000

Awesome to have and meet so many animal advocates coming together now like never before. Your note is hard-hitting and we need that badly. Unfortunately the last ten years have proven to elected officials that there is none or little animal advocacy here in NYC by passing 0655/059 and now this ASPCA/Paulin shelter hijacking bill. For so long, there has not been a major presence of thousands of people in one place coming together. We at the NY-ARAA hope to change that here in NY. On May 12th, we have Fordham Plaza in the Bronx reserved so that anyone who cares about animals, all animals, can come together and tell NYC, New York State and the entire country that we are not going to take it anymore. This is the National Protest Against Kill Pounds in America. We seek massive awareness with almost 20 locations nationwide, legal action against anyone who abuses animals namely the shelter system including the NY ACC and political action (such as has now been seen with the shelter hijack ASPCA/Paulin bill). I hope this awareness is turned into action. I thank you so much and I hope we can work together to get this revolution off the ground. Kay Riviello, Co-Founder, NY-ARAA

By: Sloan Von Spiessbach

Sloan Von Spiessbach — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:12:13 +0000

Bravo!

By: Denise LaChance

Denise LaChance — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:41:43 +0000

I ended all ties with the ASPCA when they killed Oreo. Even before that I had already begun supporting my local SPCA when I found out that the ASPCA was raising money for its “shelter” in New York that did not benefit local SPCA organizations. The ASPCA’s position about animal-saving legislation confirms both of these decisions with regard to the ASPCA. I am realizing I need to get additional information about my local SPCA’s relationship with rescue groups before I donate any more money. Thank you for the clarity of this letter.

By: Rena

Rena — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:52:45 +0000

Still waiting for my form letter and even though I asked not to be insulted, I’m confident this will happen.