Of bobcats, births and whistleblowers

Things have heated up early in the California state legislature. Animal and environmental protection bills addressing issues from cattle rustling to fracking are being hashed out in committee hearings as they progress through the lawmaking process.

One of the most heated bills is the "Bobcat Protection Act of 2013," authored by Assembly Member Richard Bloom. It addresses the growing concern over the increasing demand and price for bobcat fur, especially in foreign markets, and its impact on the bobcat population in California.

Supporters—animal and environmental protectionists—of Assembly Bill (AB) 1213 argue that the killing of California’s bobcats for their fur is simply an unacceptable matter of greed looking to profit from a burgeoning market for fur coats in Asia, Russia and Europe. Reportedly, a bobcat pelt is worth $300-$700 on the current market. About 1,800 California bobcats were legally killed by hunters and trappers during the last licensing year—about 1,500 of them by trappers.

Bobcats are a vital part in our eco-system; they help keep the balance of nature by devouring all kinds of rodents as part of their daily diet. A decrease in bobcat numbers could well result in a threat to public health in a time when there is increased concern over rodents carrying the deadly Hanta virus.

Assembly Bill 1213 was originally designed to be statewide but during committee debates, the bill’s reach was amended to the prohibition of trapping, exporting and selling of bobcat fur or product in the area surrounding Joshua National Park.

If AB 1213 is passed, it would direct California Department of Fish and Wildlife to complete a study of the number of bobcats in the state and develop estimates of how many bobcats can be trapped and killed while maintaining a viable population. If the state fails to complete and enact a management program for bobcats by July 1, 2015, the result would support its original mission of a statewide ban on the trapping of bobcats.

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The animal nursery exhibit—aka live birthing exhibit—continues to be a subject of heated controversy at the California State Fair that runs from July 12-28 in Sacramento. Since the beginning of the exhibit several years ago, animal welfare advocates have come together to urge banning the practice that imprisons pregnant sows in steel-barred "farrowing crates" for three straight weeks, unable to turn around, barely able to move, and forced to give birth on a barren metal grid, further stressed by nightly fireworks and before milling crowds.

Under normal conditions, expectant pigs look for a quiet, secluded place to birth their young. The contrast between the fair exhibit and natural instincts is glaring condemnation of the practice.




Humane housing for a sow and her piglets (Photo: The PIGSAFE Project)

Compare this to the display at last’s year’s Alameda County Fair that featured a 10' x 20' enclosure, the sow in deep sawdust, with her piglets (born off-site) free to come and go at will through a slotted partition across one corner of the pen, drawn by the warmth of a heat lamp, with pigs and public seemly content.

In fact, it’s interesting to note that according to the Animal Legal Defense Fund, farrowing crates have been illegal since 1970 under California Penal Code 597t.

Many individuals and organizations—including OHS—have requested that this cruel exhibit be dropped, and when the State Fair Board meets for its yearly meeting on May 31, perhaps they will listen.

CALIFORNIA FAIR BOARD
Administration Building
1600 Exposition Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95815
www.calexpo.ca.gov
916/263-3276

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One of the most chilling pieces of California legislation that was dropped by its author but may resurface next year was AB 343 by Assembly Member Jim Patterson, a so-called "Ag Gag" bill. AB 343 was meant to punish people who document cruelty to animals by requiring that documenting materials must be given to law enforcement within 120 hours or face a fine.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, Ag Gag bills make it a crime to report animal cruelty inside a poultry warehouse, slaughterhouse, or on a cattle feedlot. They represent a wave of bills passed in state legislatures across the nation that have been put forth by the meat industry to criminalize the reporting of animal cruelty by anyone--journalists, activists, or whistleblowers. Their intent is to prohibit the release of videotapes or photographs that document what happens inside factory farms and meat processing facilities, often with the threat of jail time. The real goal of these laws is to intimidate and discourage a person’s resolve to make public any illegal behavior such as beating or torturing captive animals, often using the police to seize their materials.

The huge agri-business industry is pushing hard to keep Americans in the dark about the extreme cruelty that regularly occurs in food production. Whistleblowers on factory farms and in slaughter houses are being criminalized for exposing animal abuse, unsafe working conditions, and environmental problems on industrial farms.

Instead of upholding existing anti-cruelty laws and working to prevent these abuses from occurring, the agribusiness industry has been working to prevent people from finding out about such problems by promoting anti-whistleblower bills by making it illegal.

Check with HSUS on updates on preventing Ag-Gag bills: https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=6047&s_src=webis


Tri-City Voice article by Nancy Lyon, President, Ohlone Humane Society

Love is in the Air

The beginning of spring brings baby birds and mammals; it also brings injured and orphaned wildlife. Many caring Tri-City citizens like you have aided in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of these less fortunate wild animals who, because they were found in time, recover in our care at the Ohlone Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. But what about the wildlife that we don't find that are in need of assistance during the breeding season? Can we come together as a community and offer them assistance?

Over the past 40 years, Tri-Cities' wildlife has learned to adapt living habits in an ever-growing urban/suburban environment. With loss of habitat comes a loss of wildlife. But even with a loss of habitat, our wildlife perseveres and survives in an encroaching human environment. They manage to build nests in our planter boxes, attics, decks, trees and sheds. They help themselves to our fruit trees, vegetable gardens and pet food. And when they are thirsty, they use our swimming pools and garden ponds. Our local wildlife behaves this way because they, just like us all, are trying to live out their lives and raise their young.

Wildlife is something that is admired by so many of us. Unfortunately, when they end up in our backyards or homes, there are times when things may start to become a little too close for comfort. When our winged and four legged friends come into our yards and homes, it means they are looking for the same things we need, the essentials of survival. We all, wildlife included, need food, water and shelter to survive. Displaced mammals and birds who have taken up residence in your attic or crawlspace are looking for places to raise their young. If that is the case, wildlife and their young should be handled by a wildlife humane exclusion professional.

Wildlife loves a free and easy meal. Cat or dog food is one of their favorite foods. When left outside, you are attracting wildlife particularly during the nighttime hours. Help our wildlife stick to their own natural diets. Discourage them and their young from getting a free meal. Feed your domestic animals in the house, garage or other area to which they can have access; yet you can close your companion animal's doggy door from those uninvited visitors at night.

Realize also that heat and drought are hazardous to our local wildlife. There are a few simple things that you can do at home to help wildlife in times of need and stress. Set up a birdbath or fountain in your garden and faithfully refill it no less than every three days during the hot weather months. A more simple approach is to set up a shallow dish of water under a shady tree. This will help keep them out of swimming pools and garden ponds. Every positive action we make together, as a community, will benefit every living creature on our beautiful planet we all call home.

Got Donations? We Are Not Even Asking For Cash!
We are in need of the following items to keep our wildlife center running for the community: bleach, copier paper, fruit, gift certificates for pet stores and grocery stores, Kleenex, latex gloves, laundry soap, paper towels, prepaid gas cards, dry and wet cat and dog food, toilet tissue, bottled water and VOLUNTEERS.

　

Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer orientation classes begin in March and run every month through June. New volunteers begin their service after they complete the new volunteer orientation class. For more information, email ohswildlife@yahoo.com

New volunteers will be trained to:
 - Feed our injured and orphaned wildlife
 - Clean wildlife habitats
 - Prepare meals for our patients
 - Do laundry, dishes and gardening


Requirements to Volunteer:
 - Complete the OHS application process
 - Be at least 16 years of age or older
 - Attend and complete the New Volunteer Orientation class
 - Complete on-site training
 - Commit to a regularly scheduled weekly shift
 - Have a positive attitude and a love for all wildlife
 - And not be afraid to get dirty!

If you ever find an injured or orphaned wild animal, do not feed it. All wildlife has special diets. Before you bring it to the wildlife center, place the animal in a box with a paper towel on the bottom and secure the lid. Put the box in a quiet, stress-free area away from noise, pets and children. Do not send an email to report an injured or orphaned wild animal; call (510) 797-9449.

For more information on how to live in harmony with local wildlife or volunteer opportunities, email us at ohswildlife@yahoo.com.


Tri-City Voice article by Angela Hartman, Volunteer Coordinator and Wildlife Care Supervisor, Ohlone Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

One person can make a huge impact

Have you ever thought about how one choice can have either a negative or positive effect? The choices we make in life, good or bad, shape us and our community. Milan Goyal is a person who made the right choice for himself and our community.

Milan approached me last year inquiring about a project he could do to help wildlife in our community. He was seeking a project he could coordinate with his scout troop #199. It was not difficult to come up with a rewarding project plan for Milan, one that I and others in our organization feel very passionate about. Our urban wildlife need habitats to live, thrive, and raise their young. As appropriate wildlife habitat in the Tri-City area disappears, our urban wildlife is running out of options for suitable shelter. One animal that once thrived in the Tri-Cities is the Barn Owl. Unfortunately, over the last 30 years, their habitats have dwindled due to community growth and expansion. Barn Owls depend on, you guessed it, barn structures to nest and raise their young.

Milan had his mission! Milan, with his troop #199 team, contacted people in the Tri-Cities who would benefit by having Barn Owl boxes installed on their property. Barn Owls would reduce or remove the need for rodent pesticides. A family of Barn Owls with six nestlings will consume fifty plus rodents per day... free and natural pesticide control.

The next step was to build and install eight custom Barn Owl boxes. Over the summer, Milan and his team built and installed Barn Owl boxes at Calaveras Nursery, Arriba Vista Ranch, Lake Elizabeth, Sycamore Grove Regional Park, and one at the Ohlone Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. The Barn Owl box installed at the Ohlone Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center will be used to conduct "soft releases." We rehabilitate many orphaned Barn Owls at our facility each year and once they reach the juvenile stage, we can place them in our Barn Owl box which provides shelter as they learn to be on their own in the wild.

I want to recognize Milan and Troop #199 for their outstanding work. The effect of their efforts and completed project will aid hundreds of Barn Owls for generations to come.

If you would like to learn more about how you can make a difference in your community for urban wildlife, send me an email at ohswildlife@yahoo.com. We offer advice and humane solutions for dealing with wildlife if they become a challenge on your property. We also offer guidance on what to do if you find an injured, ill, or orphaned wild animal. Our wildlife center is open every day and we can be reached at (510) 797-9449.

The Ohlone Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center takes in over 700 orphaned and injured wild animals every year and rehabilitates them back to health. We are a non-profit organization that depends on donations and volunteers to continue our day-to-day operations and efforts. If you would like to make a donation to our organization, please contact us. Our wildlife center is always in need of wild bird seed, pigeon and dove seed, unscented laundry soap, bleach, paper towels, toilet paper, canned cat and dog food.

Call us at (510) 797-9449 if you want to bring any of these donated items to our wildlife center. Email us at ohswildlife@yahoo.com for information on how to become a volunteer. Web: www.ohlonehumanesociety.org

If you find an injured or orphaned wild animal, do not feed it. All wildlife has special diets. DO NOT SEND AN EMAIL to report an injured or orphaned wild animal, call (510) 797-9449. Before you bring it to the wildlife center place the animal in a box with a paper towel on the bottom. Put the box in a quiet, stress free area away from noise, pets, and children.

Angela M. Hartman, Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator and Wildlife Care Supervisor

Ohlone Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

37175 Hickory St., Newark

(510) 797-9449

Web: http://www.ohlonehumanesociety.org/

Tri-City Voice article by Angela M. Hartman, Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator and Wildlife Care Supervisor, Ohlone Humane Society.

When the Greatest Show on Earth…isn’t

In California a growing coalition of humane societies and SPCAs have come together in response to charges of animal abuse by the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. They are calling for a public boycott of upcoming performances because of the circus’ use of cruel bullhooks, prods, and shackles on animals that are used in what is billed as the ‘Greatest Show on Earth.’

Responding to concerns and documentation from animal protection agencies, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducted a year-long investigation of charges leveled at the circus. Over a dozen investigations of Feld Entertainment, Inc., the corporation that owns Ringling Bros. Circus, surfaced evidence supporting the allegations yet regulators did not immediately act on the findings of abuse. A former head of the animal care unit in the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said that with a limited budget, the agency was unable to prosecute many cases.

Pressured by reports from animal welfare agencies of continuing abuse of treatment of the circus animals, the USDA brought charges against Feld in March of 2012. While Feld never admitted that Ringling Brothers Circus was guilty of cruel methods to make animals in its care  perform, they settled out of court which resulted in an unheard of civil penalty of a fine of $270,000 for violating the federal Animal Welfare Act.  Ironically, as part of the settlement, the company admits no wrongdoing or violation of USDA policy.

The boycott, spearheaded by the Marin Humane Society currently includes Palo Alto Humane Society, Ohlone Humane Society, East Bay SPCA, Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, Bakersfield SPCA, Humane Society Silicon Valley, Humane Society of Ventura County, Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, Sacramento SPCA, San Francisco SPCA, Santa Cruz SPCA, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals -Los Angeles, Sonoma Humane Society, and the SPCA for Monterey County. The number of humane organizations signing on is growing still.

The humane coalition states: “The use of animals as circus performers is an outdated—and inhumane—concept. Behind the scenes trainers often use whips, bullhooks, electric prods and other painful tools and methods to force animals to perform tricks. When not performing, animals are kept in small, cramped cages for days at a time with little monitoring. Exotic animals that have special husbandry needs are often kept in violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Elephants that travel with circuses spend hours in transit and in chains. Circuses train animals through such coercive means as beating, whipping, prodding and shocking. Elephants are subject to abusive handling methods from devices known as bullhooks that can puncture and tear sensitive skin.”

Performing animals such as elephants and other wild animals, by their very nature, do not willingly perform stunts. While some positive training methods are used and some efforts are made on their behalf, the abnormal circus feats are too often produced through fear of the mistreatment that refusal of performing brings. The animals lead lives that offer little toward even a minimum quality of life so important to their individual species, their living conditions often running afoul of AWA regulations.

Animals such as elephants are first and foremost wild animals that can and have cracked under the strain of intense captivity and mistreatment. There have been highly publicized incidents when spectators and circus workers have been seriously injured and killed regardless of training. Incidents of this kind bring to light not only the suffering endured by performing wild animals but that they can and have become dangerous when they reached a breaking point.

The humane coalition asks that the public not attend performances that support the misuse and abuse of wild and exotic animals. They are asking people to not attend circuses with performing animals that send the wrong message, especially to children, since wild animals are living beings and are not meant to be exploited for entertainment purposes.

Ringling Brothers has performances scheduled in Anaheim, Bakersfield, Oakland, San Diego, San Jose and Stockton throughout July, August and September. Because of the company’s routine abuse of animals, it is requested that the public not support this cruelty by not attending any of the performances.

Instead consider the many exciting and amazing circuses that do not use and/or abuse animals, such as Cirque du Soleil, the San Francisco-based New Pickle Circus, the Moscow State Circus and many more, all with entertaining performances that rival and surpass those using animals.

For an extensive list of Animal-Free/No-Animal circuses check the Born Free USA website – bornfreeusa.org.


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Tri-City Voice article by Nancy Lyon, President, Ohlone Humane Society.

Photo's courtesy of: www.dreamstime.com

Jungle George - unfair fare: Raccoon on a Stick, anyone?

The Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton closed July 8. I attended opening day on June 20, and had a grand old time (accent on the "old"). And that's part of the fair's appeal: you pretty much know what to expect from one year to the next: farmed animals, 4-H clubs, horse racing, fruit and vegetable displays, handcrafts, painting and photography, etc. And, of course, unhealthful foods of unimaginable variety, most of them deep-fried. In addition, the fair hosts music concerts and the slightly seedy attractions of the midway and its neon-lit rides with screaming kids (and adults, too), especially magical at night.

But for me, the best news was the fact that, unlike last year, exotic foods vendor "Jungle George" (based in Livermore) was not present to purvey his repugnant (and cruel) wares: "Raccoon on a Stick," "Beaver on a Stick," "Python on a Stick," bear, yak, fried crickets and scorpions, "Chocolate-covered Cockroaches," and my personal favorite, "Grilled Cheese Maggot Sandwiches." Chez Panisse's Alice Waters would have had a heart attack. Reportedly, "Jungle George" used to feature African lion meat, until PETA got on his case.

It's hard to believe that local public health authorities would approve these items for human consumption. Raccoons are notorious carriers of rabies, distemper and roundworms. Bon appetit.

But from an animal welfare point of view, I was more disturbed by the fact that wildlife was being turned into novelty items for a bunch of would-be macho types to impress their girlfriends. I called the FDA (who approved this fare) to find out the source of the raccoon and beaver meat, hoping against hope that it came from road kill. No such luck. "Nope, it's from out-of-state fur farms," I was told.

Fur farms are illegal in California, and for good reason. They are horrendously cruel, not unlike battery cages for egg-laying hens. The raccoons and beavers are confined in tiny wire cages their entire short lives, generally at the mercy of the elements, and driven either neurotic or insane by their living conditions, until their untimely demise, either by gassing, electrocution, or having their necks broken. And for what? A completely unnecessary luxury item: fur coats.

So if fur farms are illegal in California, it seems highly inappropriate that we should then be offering the by-products at our state and county fairs, no? Plus the risks to public health. (NOTE: "Jungle George" was also a vendor at last year's California State Fair in Sacramento. He is not being invited back to this year's fair for various reasons. The State Fair opened July 12 and runs through July 29)

Here's hoping that "Jungle George" will NOT be allowed to sell or give away any such products at future Alameda County Fairs or anywhere else in the state or country. The public is urged to contact the Alameda County Fairgrounds to express their concerns (see contact info below).

Animal Nursery Update - But the best news to report from the Pleasanton fair was their commendable Animal Nursery, in stark contrast to the brutal display at our State Fair in Sacramento. When I saw the exhibit on opening day, it featured a single pregnant sow in a spacious 10' x 20' pen, in deep sawdust. There was a slotted partition which fit across one corner of the pen, allowing the piglets to come and go at will, attracted by a heat lamp, and safe from being lain on by the sow... a truly humane display. I complimented the young woman in charge of the area, a former 4-H member, upon the humaneness of the exhibit. She told me that the sow was due to give birth the very next day.

Traditional Farrowing Crates - Photo: Farm Sanctuary

When I described the farrowing crates at the State Fair, she told me she believed the crates to be inhumane. Indeed, someone had suggested that the Alameda County Fair exhibit have farrowing crates on display, too. She refused, out of concern for the animals' welfare. It should also be noted that the Pleasanton fair featured a display with a cow and young calf, again in a pen in deep sawdust. Kudos for that! At the State Fair, cows and their newborn calves are separated at birth, stressing all concerned. We can/must do better by these animals.

The State Fair folks should follow Alameda County's lead. In the nursery exhibit in Sacramento, pregnant sows are imprisoned in metal-barred "farrowing" crates, barely able to move, for three straight weeks, and forced to give birth on a metal grid. Do this to a dog and go to jail. What's the difference, pray?

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP - Please contact the Alameda County and California State Fairs to express your concerns about these humane issues. Thank Mr. Pickering for Alameda County's humane Animal Nursery display. Ask that the "farrowing" crates be banned, and that exotic food vendors such as "Jungle George" not be allowed to sell such unsavory products at our State and County fairs in the future.

Write/call: Norbert Bartosik, CEO & General Manager, CalEXPO, 2600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815; tel. 916/263-3010; email - calexpoboard@calexpo.com. As noted, the State Fair runs July 12-29. There'll be a "Mexican Extravaganza" on the 29th featuring six bull rides, yet another concern.

Rick Pickering, CEO, Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Avenue, Pleasanton, CA 94566; tel. 925/426-7600; email - april@alamedacountyfair.com

Thanks for caring.

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Tri-City Voice article by Eric Mills, OHS Community Relations Director, Ohlone Humane Society

California Humane Societies Call for Boycott of Ringling Bros. Circus

From Sacramento to Los Angeles agencies across the state urge the public to seek entertainment venues that don’t use animal performers

(NOVATO, CALIF., July 18, 2012) — The Marin Humane Society, Bakersfield SPCA, East Bay SPCA, Humane Society Silicon Valley, Humane Society of Ventura County, Ohlone Humane Society, Palo Alto Humane Society, Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, Sacramento SPCA, San Francisco SPCA, Santa Cruz SPCA, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA), Sonoma Humane Society, and SPCA for Monterey County today publicly called for a boycott of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, citing the company’s routine abuse of animals. Ringling Bros. is scheduled to perform in Anaheim, Bakersfield, Oakland, San Diego, San Jose and Stockton throughout July, August and September.

California Humane Societies agree: The use of animals as circus performers is an outdated—and inhumane—concept. Behind the scenes trainers often use whips, bullhooks, electric prods and other painful tools and methods to force animals to perform tricks. When not performing, animals are kept in small, cramped cages for days at a time with little monitoring. Exotic animals that have special husbandry needs are often kept in violation. Elephants that travel with circuses spend hours in transit and in chains. Circuses train animals through such coercive means as beating, whipping, prodding and shocking. Elephants are subject to abusive handling methods from devices known as bullhooks that can puncture and tear sensitive skin.

Ringling’s use of bullhooks, prods, and shackles are in violation of Federal Law. Shockingly, laws and regulations offer circus animals minimal protection, and they are rarely enforced. In March 2012 Ringling Brothers settled a USDA action that resulted in a fine of $270,000 for mishandling animals. This is the largest civil imposed penalty ever issued to a circus by USDA.

Circuses with performing animals send the wrong message especially to children, since wild animals are living beings and are not meant to be exploited for entertainment purposes. Animals do not naturally ride bicycles, walk on their hind legs, balance on balls, or jump through flaming hoops.

There are many wonderful circuses that do not use and/or abuse animals, such as Cirque du Soleil, and they are just as exciting and entertaining, if not more so, than those that do. The public is strongly urged to seek entertainment venues that don’t use animal performers.

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Contact Information

Marin Humane Society

Carrie Harrington

Director of Communications

415.506.6256

charrington@marinhumanesociety.org

Bakersfield SPCA

Julie Johnson

Executive Director

661.323.8353

jjohnson@bakersfieldspca.org

East Bay SPCA

Laura Fulda

Director of Marketing and Development

510.563.4611

lfulda@eastbayspca.org

Humane Society Silicon Valley

Mark Saraceni

Vice President, Marketing

408.262.2133, X130

mark.saraceni@hssv.org

Humane Society of Ventura County

Jolene Hoffman

Shelter Director

805.646.6650

shelterdirector@humanesocietyvc.org

Ohlone Humane Society

Nancy Lyon

President

510.792.4587

nancylyon@aol.com

Palo Alto Humane Society

Carole Hyde

Director

650.424.1901

carole.hyde@paloaltohumane.org

Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA

Steve McNall

Executive Director

626.792.7151

steve@phsspca.org

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA

Scott Delucchi

Senior Vice President, Community Relations

650.685.8510

delucchi@peninsulahumanesociety.org

Sacramento SPCA

Lesley Kirrene

Director of Public Relations and Marketing

916.504.2828

lkirrene@sspca.org

San Francisco SPCA

Cynthia Kopec

Vice President of Marketing and Communications

415.522.3506

ckopec@sfspca.org

Santa Cruz SPCA

Lisa Carter

Executive Director

831.566.8600

director@santacruzspca.org

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA)

Ana Bustilloz

Director of Communications and Marketing

323.730.5300 x252

abustilloz@spcala.com

Sonoma Humane Society

Kiska Icard

Executive Director

707.542.0882 x201

kIcard@sonomahumane.org

SPCA for Monterey County

Beth Brookhouser

Director of Community Outreach

831.264.5469

bbrookhouser@spcamc.org

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Photo courtesy of: www.dreamstime.com

Building a brighter future, one squirrel box at a time

Compassion for animals is a concept we adults are familiar with. Many of us support animal welfare through donations and volunteering; others lead by example through acts of kindness or lifestyle. Providing humane education to children helps them to establish a lifelong respect and empathy for all living creatures. We recently collaborated on a project with a local Junior Girl Scout troop who wanted to make a difference for wildlife. The efforts of these young ladies have had a far-reaching effect on our community... and it all began with a humble squirrel box.

We first met Junior Girl Scout Troop #30323 when they visited the Ohlone Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (OHS WRC) to earn their Wildlife badge. The girls so enjoyed learning about wildlife rescue and rehabilitation that they decided their Bronze Award project would benefit animals. They conferred with David Anderson, OHS WRC manager, and decided to make screech owl and squirrel boxes from scratch.

After the girls approached local vendors for materials, Dale Hardware and Hulbert Lumber responded with generous donations. Both companies were so tickled by these young gals taking on a construction project that they gave the troop more than the usual allowance. Then during meetings at OHS WRC, the girls tackled challenges which included reading design plans (yes, there are patterns for owl/squirrel boxes!) to cutting and assembling plywood parts under the watchful eye of David.

For most of the girls, this was their first time handling power tools and they did a fantastic job with assistance from David as well as Saundra and Ankit, OHS WRC volunteers. The troop completed their project by creating a tri-fold poster board and doing an oral presentation to qualify for the Bronze Award. Success! The Junior Girl Scouts' parents, especially troop leader Liza Hintzman, are to be commended for enabling these gals to meet challenges that build self-esteem and expand their potential. Truly, the sky is the limit!

The first to benefit from the owl and squirrel boxes (the designs differ only in the placement of the holes) were three orphaned baby squirrels at the OHS WRC. After spending time in an incubator and then an indoor carrier, the squirrels matured to where they could be moved to an outdoor pen. David installed one of the Junior Girl Scout boxes so the babies would have a snug and safe haven. When the squirrels were released back to the wild, their box went with them along with a plentiful food supply for the first few days to make sure they acclimated to their new surroundings. A resounding success!

Ohlone Humane Society was invited to participate in the Girl Scouts of Northern California's centennial celebration, the One Hundred Fun Hundred. 20,000 Girl Scouts from 38 states and five other countries converged on the Pleasanton Fairgrounds for a day of activities, education and fun. We joined other animal welfare organizations such as Muttville and SaveABunny in the "Critter Corner," introducing Girl Scouts to different animals and humane programs. This was the perfect venue to feature Troop #30323's presentation and boxes! Indeed, Girl Scouts, troop leaders and parents from different parts of the U.S. and the world were inspired by their presentation and are considering animal welfare projects for their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards!

The owl and squirrel box project has had a ripple effect through the community, beginning with the girls and spreading to their family, friends and other Girl Scout troops. While benefitting wildlife, constructing squirrel boxes has also meant building a brighter future through humane education for our children. Compassion for animals can start with the simple act of hammering a nail into a piece of wood.

For more information about Ohlone Humane Society and our programs, call (510) 792-4587 (Advice Line) or email Info@OhloneHumaneSociety.org.


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Tri-City Voice article by Lauren Kawakami, OHS Social Media Coordinator, Ohlone Humane Society

Cruelly trapped wildlife need your immediate help

It's pretty safe to say that not everyone feels that sharing their abode with wildlife is an enjoyable experience. Unfortunately for the animals, removing them by commercial trapping has become a business that has often employed means of cruelly disposing of those unlucky enough to be captured, a practice that has increasingly come under the scrutiny of animal protectionists.

Customers of trapping services usually have little idea what happens to the animals they wish removed from their property. To address this omission, California Senate Majority Leader Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro) has authored legislation Senate  Bill (SB) 1480 that would mandate that consumers using commercial trapping services must be provided with a written contract stating these details so they can make informed choices regarding the removal of wildlife when they become "nuisance" problems or create property damage.

The bill would also prohibit specific barbaric methods of killing animals like raccoons, opossum, skunks and other wild creatures. Currently, commercial trappers have little, if any, supervision on the methods used to destroy captured wildlife. SB 1480 would make it illegal to kill any trapped mammal by intentional drowning or injection with any chemical not specifically sold for the purpose of euthanizing animals. Killing by the injection of solutions such as chemical solvents, sodium cyanide and even fingernail polish remover, toxic products that have been used in the past and caused an excruciating death; or by thoracic compression, commonly known as chest crushing would be illegal.

Senator Corbett stated "This bill helps consumers find legitimate and experienced trappers," Corbett said. "It's time we quit turning a blind eye to the inhumane practices used by some wildlife trappers."

In 2003 a law was passed that required individuals offering commercial wildlife trapping services to the public to be obligated to obtain a license from the state Department of Fish and Game. However, because of  insufficient resources to enforce the law, Fish & Game has not issued any regulations that would act as guidelines for commercial trappers. SB 1480, if passed, directs the Department of Fish and Game to maintain a list of licensed trappers on its website, requires trappers to provide a written contract to consumers, and forbids cruel methods of animal killing.

SB 1480 is co-sponsored by Born Free USA, a non-profit organization whose mission is to end the suffering of wild animals in captivity, rescue animals in need, protect wildlife in their natural habitats, and encourage compassionate conservation and is partnered by the San Francisco Wildlife Center. Monica Engebetson, the senior program associate for Born Free USA stated "This important bill will increase protections for wildlife, reduce the chances of family dogs and cats being inadvertently killed in traps and will help consumers make informed decisions. Our organization has worked for many years to address this issue, and we are grateful to Senator Corbett for introducing this bill."

Ohlone Humane Society's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, whose mission is to save orphaned and injured wildlife, can attest to a number of orphaned baby mammals coming into the Center every year whose mothers have been killed by for-profit trappers. In an effort to address this tragedy, SB 1480 incorporates specific regulations and guidelines that for-profit trappers must follow to insure the protection young animals still dependent on their mothers for survival. It states, "The bill would require a class II trapping licensee to make a reasonable effort not to leave dependent young animals that are orphaned as a consequence of the trapping and killing of their mother, to die within an area of a home or business that is inaccessible to the licensee." It would also mandate that all trapped lactating females be immediately released to care for their young.

People who hire commercial trappers to remove animals from their property not only need but deserve to know what will happen to animals they pay to have removed. They also have the right - and yes - the obligation to know how the animals will be killed if it is considered "necessary."

SB 1480 successfully passed the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, and will be heard next by the Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC) possibly this coming week. I recently spoke with Senator Corbett's aides in Sacramento, and they emphasized the importance of continuing public support and urged that in the remaining days before going before SAC, possibly just days after this is published, that they ask supporters to call SAC committee members and urge their support of SB 1480. Please take a moment and let your representatives know that you support the humane treatment of wildlife that are presently at the mercy of commercial trappers.

Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee:
Christine Kehoe (Chair) (916) 651-4039
Mimi Walters (Vice Chair) (916) 651-4033
Elaine Alquist (916) 651-4013
Bob Dutton (916) 651-4031
Ted W. Lieu (916) 651-4028
Curran D. Price, Jr (916) 651-4026
Darrel Steinberg (916) 651-4006

For assistance in humanely discouraging wildlife from "homesteading" at your residence, call the OHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for information: 510-797-9449.

*****

Tri-City Voice article by Nancy Lyon, President, Ohlone Humane Society, dated May 22 2012.

The Gift of Giving...

Earlier this year, Olivia Clayton (9 years old) and her group of friends decided to become junior members of OHS and give the “gift of giving” rather than receiving for their birthdays. Each one of these young individuals will do the same on their birthdays and rather than except gifts on their birthdays – they will make donations to the charity of their choice. Olivia chose Ohlone Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

This selfless act of kindness is mind blowing. Olivia and her mother dropped off their memberships and donations & got a little peak into what we do at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, which is a one of the many wonderful programs that Ohlone Humane Society has to offer.

This is a very special group of kids and undoubtedly a very special group of parents who have instilled valuable life skills and have taught them to have respect and compassion for all living things. It was a privilege to meet Olivia and her mother Susan.

Because of these young thoughtful individuals, our future just became 6 times brighter than it was yesterday!

Wouldn’t you agree?

By -
David Anderson, RVT ~OHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Spring—and Baby Bird Season—has SPRUNG!

The first baby bird rescues of the season—two hummingbirds—were brought to OHS' Wildlife Rehabilitation Center by a concerned client. We advised her to bring them in for immediate care after she noticed the mother hadn't fed them for a couple of days.

They arrived in their nest which feels like a soft silk sock. The nest is tiny: only 1½" across and around ½" in depth. You can imagine how small the babies were!

David Anderson, OHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center manager, immediately began warming them in an incubator and preparing their food. Baby hummingbirds must be hand-fed with a 1cc syringe EVERY 15 MINUTES from sunrise to sundown, the same feeding schedule they would have in the wild. Luckily, David doesn't have to visit a thousand flowers a day to gather food as a mother hummingbird does!

Four days after they arrived, the babies decided they didn't like their nest so David made a mock nest in the incubator. They obviously like their new abode.

In another 2 weeks, the babies no longer have to be hand fed (whew!). They'll go into a basket habitat where we will coax them to eat by themselves from a syringe. After that, they'll move into a screened habitat where they will learn to fly and begin eating on their own.

Once we observe them eating regularly on their own, they will be released back to the wild to know the freedom of flight!

Many thanks go to our caring client...without her proactive concern, these baby hummingbirds would not have made it by themselves.