Please take 30 Seconds to Help Animals in Oakland

[Guest guest]

TO: All Animal Lovers in Oakland

 

In early 2004, a whistle-blower revealed allegations of serious

animal abuse and neglect at the Oakland Animal Shelter.1 The

welfare of animals and customer service have suffered greatly

overall while under the control of the Police Department. Despite

modest changes since 2004, a former supervisor at the shelter who

was disciplined for alleged animal abuse has now been re-hired as an

Animal Control Officer at the shelter1 where he will have frequent,

direct contact with animals. If you are an Oakland Resident,

please sign a petition calling for his removal and other changes

needed at the shelter:

http://www.petitiononline.com/OAW/petition.html

 

Given this disaster, and now the resignation of a newly hired, and

highly touted director after only three months on the job, it is

clear that Oakland Animal Services needs permanent, structural

change. Please click below to sign our petition asking that the

City of Oakland follow in the footsteps of other jurisdictions (San

Francisco, Detroit, Berkeley, Marin) to REMOVE OAKLAND ANIMAL

SERVICES FROM THE OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT and ESTABLISH IT AS A

SEPARATE DEPARTMENT and ESTABLISH AN ANIMAL WELFARE COMMISSION to

monitor the conditions at Animal Services and provide transparency

so the community may regain their trust in this valuable public

resource.

 

Oakland residents: Please don't let shelter animals continue to

suffer-- sign this petition:

http://www.petitiononline.com/OAW/petition.html

 

Oakland Animal Services has had A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS WHILE UNDER

POLICE CONTROL. Non-police management structures are used in both

San Francisco and Berkeley – both of which adhere to a more

progressive approach to animal services, which is reflected in their

lower euthanasia rates and better customer service. In 2004, Oakland

euthanized over 2,000 animals – over 50% of incoming animals. San

Francisco and Berkeley had much lower euthanasia rates, with

approximately 25% and 10% of all animals being euthanized

(respectively).

 

Please help improve the situation for Oakland's animals. They have

suffered too long. Sign our petition and forward it to other

Oakland residents:

http://www.petitiononline.com/OAW/petition.html

 

Many thanks,

The Oakland Animal Welfare Group (OAWG)

 

The Oakland Animal Welfare Group (OAWG) is a grassroots organization

consisting of local animal rescue groups, shelter volunteers, animal

welfare groups, and concerned Oakland residents that formed a

collaborative group to address complaints of misconduct, abuse and

neglect at Oakland Animal Services.

 

1 Eric Kurhi, " Ex-head of Animal Services begins new job. "

contracostatimes.com 16 June 2006.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/local/states/califor

nia/alameda_county/oakland_berkeley/14833795.htm?

source=rss & channel=cctimes_oakland_berkeley