Someone found the lyrics to Kumbaya

Last night’s meeting of people who are interested in doing something to help out the situation at Kern County Animal Control was, in a word, great.

People who have frequently sat on opposite sides of the aisle on topics related to mandatory spay/neuter, licensing of breeders and breed-specific legislation got together at John’s Incredible Pizza and treated each other with kindness and respect.

We broke bread together (and a big shout-out to the kind benefactor who provided the meal), filled out the volunteer forms for KCAC, talked about some of the types of things we can/should do to improve the lives of the pets at the shelter, and resolved to move forward, as a group, to be a driving volunteer force.

It’s amazing what happens when people focus on one common goal. We stop treating each other as “them” and recognize that, at the heart of it all, all of us want to have a positive impact on a difficult situation.

If we can keep it up, I dare say that we will be unstoppable.

My thanks to all who came. Whether I agree with you on every issue or not, I appreciate the fact that you were there. Rather than waiting for someone to fix the problem, you are willing to “walk the walk” on behalf of the KCAC.

Kumbaya, indeed.

P.S. Just because you missed last night's meeting doesn't mean that you've missed your chance to be a part of the solution. If you're interested in more info on being part of the KCAC volunteer team, drop me a line and I'll get you on the list.

Looking to help? Now’s your chance

One of the more positive things to come out of the most recent Animal Control Commission meeting is some newfound resolve to no longer wait for the HOPE issue to be sorted out. Things continue to ebb and flow between them and the BSPCA over whether each side can meet the other’s expectations, and to be honest, I’m not anyone knows when it will all get sorted out.

In the meantime, those folks who signed up as potential volunteers in the cause are moving forward to create a coalition of volunteers to help support the Kern County Animal Control shelter and the programs they are trying to expand. Programs like education, community outreach at local events (think Thursday Night Street Faire, Farmer’s Markets, Craft and Art Fairs --- anywhere a booth might be able to be located) and other shelter projects.

We are planning to get together Tuesday, April 22. Anyone interested in getting involved should drop me a line and I’ll be happy to provide the details.

Peace.

I know, I know, people are waiting for news

And to be honest, I’m sniffing around for a little of it myself. I know that HOPE is currently in negotiations with the Bakersfield SPCA to see if they will host the HOPE project coming back to Bakersfield. An answer from BSPCA is coming very soon and one way or another, I’ll keep you posted.

For those asking about BSPCA events, they are holding their annual “Unleash Your Love” event on April 16 at 1220 L Street, in conjunction with Channel 17. The event is from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. and features pet adoptions, a microchip clinic and opportunities to learn more about what the BSPCA does in our community. Drive on by and throw a little money their way. There is a cat neuter clinic as well, but the spaces for that clinic have long since been filled. I’ve got my whiskers out though, and will bring you news of the next clinic as soon as it gets to me.

That’s it for now, folks. I’ll be at the Animal Control Commission meeting tonight, so you can bet I’ll have something to say afterwards. Stay tuned.

Lest you think I only care about the cute ones…

I’m glad to see that there is enough interest in the state of the animals we use for food that the Prevention of Farm Cruelty Act has made it to the California ballot this fall.

We have the opportunity to make the standards in which we keep food animals just a little bit better with the passage of this measure. It seems to me that it’s the least we can do. Several states have already banned some, if not all, of these cages and crates in their food production, and the European Union is phasing out all of these
cages.

How anyone can view the videos posted on the humanecalifornia.org web site and not feel moved to act is beyond me. Some things are simply wrong, and when we have it in our power to make it right, we should.

Support the Prevention of Farm Cruelty Act on the California ballot this November.