MFOA Newsletter 2009
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Commentary Love animals. Hate Politics. legislative race in the state. After over 20,000 votes were cast and Where does that leave the animals? a recount taken Rep. Simpson won the seat by a mere 121 votes. This is the motto of Maine Comparatively MFOA members made a very marginal Friends of Animals, which we contribution in the success of that campaign. But consider that repeat and repeat. We have always we had two District Coordinators contact MFOA members in the encouraged our membership to Senate district who contacted friends, family and business associates, engage the political fray more worked on a phone bank, passed out literature at a county fair and while we charted a pragmatic MFOA placed three well-received political ads (see page 6) in the legislative course. Lewiston Sun Journal. Is it unreasonable to think that maybe we This recent election cycle presented an occasion to show that an swayed 121 voters? active small voting bloc can make the difference, and in this case in So when one says we cannot take on the vested interests or an important State Senate race. In Senate District 15 (Auburn, New that my singular activism is not going to make a difference, here is Gloucester, Durham, Poland), animal activists were presented with a poignant example how a small voting bloc can make a difference. the opportunity to help elect someone we felt was a strong advocate As we increasingly move animal protection into mainstream for animal protection issues, while also defeating her opponent who thinking, we need animal–friendly legislators to advance the issues for over four House terms and one Senate term consistently voted of this just cause. Channeling our passion for ending animal against animal welfare. suffering and exploitation toward the business of politics can be MFOA endorsed and actively supported Rep. Deborah Simpson very uplifting as it was on election night in Senate District 15. (D) who defeated incumbent Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello (R) in arguably the Senate’s most contested, competitive and party supported Robert Fisk, Jr., President & Director RESOURCES FOR PET OWNERS DURING ECONOMIC DOWNTURN During these difficult economic times, it is important to remember our commitment to our companion animals. Although money is tight, giving up your beloved pet should be a last resort. Asking your community for help and locating pet-specific assistance programs can go a long way to keeping your family together, happy and healthy. Below please find a variety of resources available to help pet owners care for their four-legged family members during a time of financial hardship. EMERGENCY VET FUNDS: to Good Samaritans, animal Below are just a few of many resources rescuers, non-profit organizations available to assist with emergency vet care. and pet owners to help them care For a complete list, please visit: for animals in life-threatening www.uan.org/index.cfm?navId=163 situations. www.uan.org/ AAHA Helping Pets Fund: Low-income situations, financial hardships, Good LOW-COST Samaritans; available only to animals treated PREVENTIVE VET CARE: in an AAHA accredited veterinary hospital. SPAY/USA: Spay/neuter assistance www.aahahelpingpets.org/ referrals. 800-248-SPAY or www.spayusa.org/ Care Credit: Credit loan for veterinary care. 800-333-1071 www.carecredit.com Friends of Animals: Low Cost Spay/Neuter Certificates that Feline Outreach: For cat owners in need of can be used at any of FoA’s financial assistance with large, unexpected participating veterinary hospitals. PET FOOD PANTRIES: veterinary expenses. 1-800-321-7387 or Aroostook County www.felineoutreach.org/Assistance.asp www.friendsofanimals.org Houlton Humane Society: 263 Callaghan Help A Pet: For seniors or disabled Help! Fix ME: Maine’s Low Cost Road, Houlton. 207-532-2862 individuals only, all types of veterinary care Spay/Neuter Program. Hollywood Pet Salon: 70 Main Street, for their pets. www.help-a-pet.org/ 207-287-7621 Houlton. 207-532-7387 In Memory of Magic: Emergency and Pet Quarters: Low cost vaccination Ludlow Food Pantry: May have pet food chronic vet care assistance. www.imom.org/ clinics for cats and dogs, de-worming available on a limited basis. 831 Ludlow The Pet Fund: Urgent veterinary care. and FeLV, heartworm/lyme disease testing. Road, Ludlow. 207-538-6404 www.thepetfund.com/ www.petquartersne.com St. Mary’s Church: May have pet food United Animal Nations Life Line Grant: PetCo: Low cost vaccination clinics. available. 110 Military Street, Houlton. LifeLine Grant Program provides funding www.petco.com 207-532-9122 (continued on page 8) 2 MFOA BoaRD OF DIRectoRS MFOA Member Profile 190 U.S. Route 1 Falmouth, ME 04105 Steven Jacobsen, Executive Director, Animal Welfare Society [email protected] [email protected] 207-781-2187 Steve has been the Executive Director of the MFOA: The recent economic downturn is RobeRT FISK, JR. Animal Welfare Society (AWS) since 1995. causing increased cases of animal suffering President & Director The AWS provides municipal shelter services to and relinquishment. How is this impacting (Portland) 18 communities in York County, representing Maine shelters? SUSANNA RICHER Administration & Office (Portland) a population of more than 150,000 people. SJ: We are all faced with the potential of Jayne WINTERS In 2007, the shelter handled a total of 3,252 less support and increased demand for our Secretary (South China) animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, services to help animals. I am heartened by the AMANDA MEADER hamsters, mice, birds, rats, ferrets and more; establishment of assistance programs such as Legislative (Winthrop) and found permanent homes food bank efforts and even Fundraising for 2,793 – an 86% overall attempts to address medical Open placement rate, which is nearly needs of pets in distress REE GONZALES Outreach & Volunteers (Standish) double the national average. as well as the continued offering of traditional At Large Steve has been a long-time OPEN services. On the other hand, member of MFOA and has we are seeing a pull back of REGIONAL DISTRICT worked with animal activists some services and programs, COORDinatoRS on many animal welfare issues, potential reductions of staff AUGUSTA – WATERVILLE disaster preparedness, puppy Nancy Mitchell and fundraising. mill cases, and changing animal [email protected] 441-6657 welfare laws in Maine. He has MFOA: How do you BANGOR – ORONO Valerie Carr-Winocour also served as a member of the feel about the relationship [email protected] Humane Society of the United between shelters and animal 827-5265 State’s (HSUS) Companion protection groups? BIDDEFORD – SCARBOROUGH Animal Advisory Council SJ: The constant need is (OPEN) Puppup, a Katrina New Orleans very since 2006. Jacobsen resides to find common ground. BRUNSWICK – WISCASSET sick survivor riding with Steve Jacobsen Debbie Brooks in Kennebunk with his family. to a home in Maine. How often we hear the [email protected] phrase, "We are all in it 478-1297 MFOA: In your tenure at the AWS, you have for the animals.” I believe that we have many CAMDEN – BELFAST spurred major growth for the organization, organizations that must exist to reflect the values Lynne Rayburn [email protected] 930-3556 quadrupling its budget, leading capital improve- of the community and I also believe that we EllswoRTH -Machias ment projects and expanding its regional reach. must have organizations that challenge, upgrade, Marie Swicker How did you accomplish that? and improve community standards for animals [email protected] 460-8920 SJ: I have been fortunate to have been and their lives. FALMOUTH – FREEPORT surrounded by a great number of dedicated Jill Brown MFOA: Any general comment? [email protected] 781-7200 Board Members, staff, volunteers and of course, SJ: In all we do and say, and in all of our KENNEBUNKPORT – supporters (donors). I, hopefully, allowed many OGUNQUIT talented people to work on their own passions mission-driven work, we must always be in a Julie Fernee and interests while address ing our AWS goals. position of supporting the joys of having pets. [email protected] 676-2165 While keeping an eye on our mission and our Whether we are discussing laws, spay/neuter, LEWISTON – AUBURN aggressive dog issues, or whatever. We in animal Patricia Richards community, we have concentrated our PR [email protected] 597-2613 efforts on our results and successes, so as many welfare would be well served to remind folks always, of the joys of pets and for that matter, PRESQUE ISLE – MILLINOCKET as possible are aware of what the AWS does. (OPEN) the joys of having all species in our lives. PORTLAND MFOA: Along with the Animal Welfare Susanna Richer Program, you were heavily involved in the MFOA: What do you see as the challenges [email protected] 773-2382 for animal shelters in the future? rescue effort at the recent Buxton puppy mill RUMFORD – BRIDGTON case. What did you learn from that effort? SJ: The challenges of the future in my eyes are: Monique Aniel [email protected] 364-8422 SJ: It was an honor to share the lead with • Meeting the expectations of the public now and in the future SOUTH PORTLAND – colleagues from the Animal Welfare Program and CAPE ELIZABETH the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland • Customer service (OPEN) and to enjoy the support from many other • Humaneness, providing safe family pets, etc. WESTBROOK – GORHAM local, regional and national organizations. What • Cats...overpopulation; giving cats the value Ree Gonzalez [email protected] 854-3139 I learned was the value and power of having they deserve (imagine never hearing the word, “It’s just a cat”). Copy: Robert Fisk, Jr. and Susanna Richer relationships with other groups during times of Editing: Jayne Winters need. We were so fortunate to have this support.