Melbourne Florida Brevard County Advocacy for Animals/Get Involved

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Time Is
Not On
Their Side

Brevard County Advocacy for Animals
Giving Unwanted Animals a Second Chance
No Kill Advocacy
Brevard County Animal Services Treatment of Sheltered Animals
Critics Swarm Brevard's Animal Services Agency

SPCA Promotions-Melbourne Sq. Adoption Center {for more info click here}....SPCA STATS Comparative Number {2013 vs 2014}Public Exposure is Saving Animals see stats

Cat Sterilization Program at the SPCA in Titusville. Cats belonging to low-income people will be sterilized for just $20.00 at the SPCA {includes Rabies/Distemper Shots}.....Click Here for more information

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Video of the March 18, 2014 Commissioner's Meeting Click Here

Brevard Animal Services Being Transferred to Sheriff's Department Is this the change we have been looking for in our quest to saving animals?
The management of the county�s Animal Services and Enforcement Department has been placed under the control of Sheriff Wayne Ivey. The change was by an unanimous vote of 5-0 {a rarity with the Commissioner's}. Under the new setup, Ivey, as an elected official, would run the agency without direct supervision from the county manager�s office or the Commission. Sheriff Ivey's attitude is 180 degrees opposite that of current management {Animal Services director Karla Torpy} and culminates efforts by community rescue groups, animal rights advocates, and friends of animals in the fight to remove current management and move toward a pro-active position of saving the lives of sheltered animals. Gauging by the statements by Sheriff Ivey animal supporters seemed to indicate this is a good match and will fulfill the dream of more saved animals. Details of the merger of animal services into the sheriff�s office, including funding and staffing issues, will be worked out in the coming months. The change likely would take place at the beginning of the county�s new budget year on Oct. 1.
....Read complete story at Florida Today

Yet, Another Failure: When Your Pet is Lost �If your pet is wearing its license and it shows up at the shelter, we will notify you that your pet is here. Or, if one of our staff finds your licensed pet roaming free, we�ll return it to you instead of bringing it to the shelter. And, often an injured animal wearing a license is more likely to receive veterinary care if you�re not around,� states Brevard Animal Services Director Karla Torpy. �Having licensing available online will make it easier for families to keep their pets up to date,� Torpy said.
The problem with this statement is BASE is so far behind on logging licensed animals a great many animals are not in the system.

If We Do Nothing/When We Do Nothing
These Animals Remain Faceless/Nameless

They Become

Warning! Some Images May Be Disturbing

Enter of Victims

Here are the BASE case files of Happy and Mac

Name
Happy

Color
Blue & White

Breed
Pit Bull

Sex
Female

Age
2 Yrs 8 Mos
Happy described as one of the three best dogs in SACC all year, killed TWO DAYS before Adoption Event.

Name
Mac

Color
White & Tan

Breed
Pit Bull/Mix

Sex
Neutered

Age
9 Yrs 3 Mos
Mac was also put down. Both were killed for space.

We Need To Put An End To This

Don't They Deserve A Second Chance?

Brevard County Animal Services
Of 5048 Cats Sheltered in 2013
3372 Were Euthanized
A   59.5   Kill   Rate

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Save Our Animals

Urgently Needed
Go here To Learn More

read more

The Issues-The Good Guys & Bad Guys Solutions-Facts, Stats, Reports & Evidence
Read the whole story at The Good Guys & The Bad Guys at Brevard Animal Services
Report claims Brevard County Animal Services caused deadly fights
Audit reveals test to see if dogs like cats
Titsville, Fl.A just-completed audit accuses Brevard County Animal Services of causing deadly dog and cat fights within the walls of its two shelters.

The audit, conducted in March by the Brevard County Clerk of the Circuit Court, examined seven areas of the department's operations: data management, animal care, animal enforcement, financial management, workforce management, facilities and mission and strategies.

The animal care section addressed non-standard euthanizing techniques and animal behavior tests.

In one finding, auditors found a dog had been tested to see if it liked cats or not. It was a test that ended with both the dog and cat being euthanized.

"During the test, the dog attacked a cat and caused such harm that the cat had to be euthanized," the audit reads. "The dog was then euthanized on account of its own behavior."

"It made me mad," said animal advocate Debbie Rich. "There's no reason to do that. A normal human being with any common sense would not do that."

Scott Ellis, Clerk of the Circuit Court, said he gave Brevard County's Board of County Commissioners several opportunities to respond to all 51 pages of the audit.

After three months of hearing nothing, he decided to make it available to the public.

However, County Manager Stockton Whitten responded to Local 6.

�This is a report that appears to be a compilation of personal opinions on how Brevard County Animal Services and Enforcement is to be operated," Whitten wrote in an email to Local 6. "As you know, the Brevard County Sheriff�s Office will take over operations of Animal Services effective Oct. 1, 2014. Where there are valid issues indicated in this audit, we will work with the Sheriff�s Office prior to Oct. 1 to address these issues.�

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey has already started helping the department. After hearing the shelters were running low on people to help walk the dogs, he sent jail inmates to help walk them.

Click here to read the entire audit of Brevard County Animal Services.

Steps to Success to No Kill Shelters

Partnerships
With Rescue Groups
Everyone Working Together High Volumn
Low Cost
Spay/Neuter
Comprehensive
Adoption
Programs Foster Care
Increases Shelter Capacity
Developing
Innovative
Strategies

Avoiding Surrenders
Keeping Pets
At Home Proactive Redemption

Returning Lost Pets
Feral Cat
Trap/Neuter/Return
Reduce Deaths
Controls Population and Disease
Improves Lives

Steps to Success in Images Continued Below

A Horror Story From the Files of BASE

Herbie the Cat

Become a Friend and Give a Like at Herbie's

Promote Your Page Too Hours From Being Saved
Herbie
Was Killed/Labed As
Aggressive!!!
Urgent Rescue Notice Issued on 13th
Adoption Notified on 16th
Dead on the 18th
2-1/2 Hrs From Rescue
Rescue Coordinator at BASE Description of Herbie in E-Mail Notice "Herbie is a cat who has no hope left. His owner was living in bad conditions, with no electricity or running water and had to give up his only friend, Herbie. Herbie is around 2 years old and has no idea what has happened. All he know is that he is in a strange place in a cage. He is unresponsive and just lays in his kennel all day without moving. This beautiful boy is just so sad. Can anyone give him back a reason for living?
If you have options for Herbie, please let me know immediately."

Read the Story of Herbie the Cat Here

Search
Herbie the Cat

Herbie's Story is Gaining Traction-See Google Search Rankings Here {12-5-13}

This has occurred many times before. An inadequate system of communication and unresponsive personnel results in the death of an animal 2-1/2 hrs from adoption
Brevard County 2013 Stats: Impound: 9400     Euth: 4410     Save Rate: 56.3% Go Here to view comprehensive stats
Euthanasia Rate for Cats:        59.5%....Herbie is now a statistic

Horror Stories
From the Files
of BASE
Duke
Duke Was Lost But Micro-chipped
Owner Never Contacted/Never put up for adoption
Because of mis-management & lack of software implementation
He was killed
BASE Policy on Adoptions
Qualified Personnel to show dogs to potential adopters
Yet Under Staffing Prevents This
$600,000 of BASE Funds Returned to County
Mis-management/Animals Suffer & Die

Animal Lovers Need Not Apply-What Do You Do When Animal Control Personnel Are The Abusers?
The first time many animals experience neglect and abuse it at the very shelter that is supposed to protect them from it. Our shelters are in crisis. Why? Killing is an act of violence. And not only do people in shelters work at a very place that commits this violence, they have, in fact, been hired to do exactly that. Can we really be surprised when they don�t clean thoroughly, don�t feed the animals, handle them too roughly, neglect and abuse them, or simply ignore their cries for help? How does shoddy cleaning or rough handling or skipping meals compare with putting an animal to death? Because shelter workers understand that they have the power to kill each and every one of these animals, and will in fact kill most of them, every interaction they have with those animals is influenced by the reality that their lives do not matter, that their lives are cheap and expendable, and that they are destined for the garbage heap. Where there is no right to life; there is no regard for welfare....Read More

Recent
Events October 22, 2013 Brevard County Commissioner's Meeting
Proposal: To Disband Advisory Board and Replace It With New Commission Watch Video: County Commissioner's Meeting

There was suspense and drama at the Brevard County Commissioner's meeting in Viera on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2013. What started out to be 'usual' business turned into a dramatic reversal of fortunes for a couple of Commission Board members {and County manager Howard Tipton a non voting member}, Brevard County Animal Services director Karla Torpy and three local 'non-profit' organizations. Although the Animal Advisory was officially disbanded {so they could meet and have discussions without the restrictions of Sunset laws}, the Commissioners by a vote of 3-2 decided to delay a final decision for 90 days. The motion which was approved and read: 'offically disband AAB and revisit the issue in 90 days, to re-evaluate to re-establish the board at that time' {2 hrs 56 minutes into the video of meeting}. In other words the proposal to created a New Commission failed. Below is an outline of the proceedings {as posted in today's Florida Today's on line edition}.
To Read More About Commissioner's Meeting |

Florida Today Article: County temporarily disbands Animal Advisory Board
Now for the rest of the story.

This was the best outcome that could have happened considering the alternatives. When discussions began it looked as it the proposal to form the 'New Commission' was well on its way to passing. Then Chuck Nelson, who had sat silent through the discussions, voiced his opposition to not having some type of oversight of the BASE. He also pointed out that some of the members nominated to the new commission had 'interests' that conflicted with their mission as proposed. Andy Anderson also opposed the removal of any oversight and citizen participation stating his opposition just before the final vote. Plus there was the overriding concern that the new commission would only meet quarterly which would not allow 'them' to provide support or recommendations in a timely manner. Nelson's comments and Anderson's opposition seemed to change Commissioner Fisher's initial position of defending the proposal and by a 3-2 vote the commission voted to put off considerations for 90 days so there could be a thorough examination of the BASE {Nelson's recommendation}. Commissioner Infantini strongly defended the Advisory Board from the beginning with commissioners Bolin Lewis { who proposed the new commission} and County Manager Howard Tipton {who could not vote} 'strongly' supporting the proposal. Something from the meeting that was very evident was not only Bolin Lewis' support of the proposal but also her eagerness to nominate the three local 'non'profit' organizations {as was Tipton}. Representatives of those organizations spoke in favor of the proposal as well as support for BCAS director Karla Torpy. You got the sense there was 'good ole boy' shenanigans going on from the praise each bestow one another in their statements. You had to wonder why organizations that normally support the best interests of animal welfare would take positions that were, after all the evidence presented by oppositions speakers demonstrated, not in the best interest for the animals. Three reasons:

1. They do not want to rock the boat. Making waves by not supporting the proposal wouldn't play well in the local political arena. As one animal supporter wrote in an e-mail I received this morning, "I believe that the New Commission would be a good thing if the people on it would take on the fright! " As the saying goes all 'politics is local' and to be a part of the community you need to tow the line with those who have the power.

2. Unlike the BASE those agencies that take in animals only accept healthy animals. Animals deemed not suitable for adoption are rejected. That brought up the issue of shipping in animals from other states {and other countries} to meet organizational criteria for adoption. These groups depend on public funding and when they showcase animals they want to insure only 'good looking' healthy animals are available. It would interesting to know the 'bottom line' accounting of these organizations to see how much goes to funding and top level salaries compared to how much actually goes to rescuing animals. If it is anything like the national organizations then there are real problems in trusting these agencies {see the CNN report 'Little of charity's money going to help animals' http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/14/us/animal-charity-investigation/index.html}

3. Contracts with BCAS. Some of these local organizations have contracts with BCAS to perform services for the shelter. If you think about the saying 'all politics is local' you can see it can also apply to funding, 'all funding is local'. It is not uncommon for local shelters to contract out services for immunization, organizing events and sheltering healthy animals. If you oppose director Torpy, county manager Tipton and lead politico commissioner Bolin Lewis local monies can dry up real fast.

Much of what transpired today is what I outlined in the webpages Brevard County Advocacy for Animals http://melfla.com/BA.html. I will update those pages this afternoon and Wednesday morning. I will transfer the main page to the www.melfla.com URL to make it easier to access.

One last comment. I am in this because I care about animals. Forgive me but I am a softy. Before I attended this meeting I was not sure how strong the dedication of local animal rights people was and if they were ready to organize to fight for the rights of animals. After the meeting I am convinced they are in this fight to the end. And the end will come when BASE becomes a true NO KILL facility.

End of Post
A clarification to the report. I may have left the impression Commissioner Fisher voted for temporarily disbanding the Advisory Board. Although Commissioner Fisher spoke about the need to keep a citizen advisory as part of any new commission just before the vote, he voted with Bolin Lewis and was on the losing side in the 3-2 decision. Up until those comments he was clearly defending Director Torpin. Commissioner Bolin Lewis was the architect for the New Commission but Fisher was just as supportive. It was Commissioner Infantini who was the prime supporter for the Advisory Board and who offered the proposal to temporarily suspend the Board so they could meet and not violate the Sunshine laws.
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Steps to Success Continued

Rehabilitating Animals With Comprehensive Care Programs Literature
Materials to Educate the Public VOLUNTEERS
Create An Army of Compassion
The Backbone of NO KILL Maximizing Donations
Public Exposure Leadership
Leadership
Leadership
Compassion

Brevard NO KILL Partners

Rescue-Rehabilitation-Information-Adoption
WebSite BC Pet Food Bank

WebSite
Innovative Products for You & Your Pet
Amazing Nok-Out Odor Eliminators
BlackWing Farms-Animal Essence Remedies
Yeowww Catnip Products
Leash Locket-Pet Leashes
WebSite
�for the love of animals�
WebSite

Feral Cat Rescue The Last Chance Sanctuary Website Space Coast Feline Network Website Animal Guardians of Brevard Website
Low Cost Spay/Neutering

Brevard Spay/Neuter Clinic, Malabar 321-724-1141
Website
Central Brevard Humane Society, Cocoa 321-636-3343
Website
Florida Aid to Animals, Melbourne 321-242-9826
Website SPCA of North Brevard, Titusville 321-269-0536
Website
Snip-a-Pit for Pit Bulls and Pit Mixes 321-432-4921
Website
Space Coast Feline Network (for feral cats only) 321-631-7729
Website
�Neuter or Spay
It�s the Kindest Way!�

Pit Bull Rescue Pit Bull Rescue Center: Website Rugaz Rescue Inc. Website Sniffing Snouts Website
SACC Animals: Butter is a Success Story

Butter Before Adoption
Butter/Rachel Today Pat Palsey: A final happy tail is regarding a letter to the editor that I wrote and was published in Florida Today on December 10. It was a sad tale regarding Butter, a 2 year female bulldog mix who was at the Brevard Co. Animal shelter and refused to eat dry food. Consequently, she was so thin that her ribs were sticking out. When a volunteer tried to feed her some canned dog food, she was admonished for it because she was told it would be bad for the dogs teeth. To add to Butter�s misery, she also had a terrible skin condition that was causing her problems. The day after my letter was published, a kind and caring lady named Megan came to the animal shelter and took Butter home where she was given exceptional love and care.

I had heard reports on how well the dog was doing so the day after Christmas, I visited Butter, now renamed Rachel, at her new home. The change in Rachel was remarkable. As she bound into the store the first thing I noticed where her happy eyes and how much she has filled out. Her beautiful, shiny coat reflected her cleared up skin condition. She came to me immediately, snuggled up next to me and gave me a big wet kiss. Her tail was in perpetual motion.

Contact Info: Brevard County Animal Services......321-253-6608 shelter......321-863-9616 cell.....WebSite

A Letter from a Gas Chamber Man in an Animal Shelter

First off, all you people out there that judge me, don't. God is judging me, and I know I'm going to Hell. Yes, I'm going to hell. I wont lie, it's despicable, cold, cruel and I feel like a serial killer.
More Excerpts A Letter from a Gas Chamber Man in an Animal Shelter Yes, I Gas Dogs and Cats for a Living. I'm an Animal Control officer in a very small town in central North Carolina. I'm in my mid thirties, and have been working for the town in different positions since high school....
I'm the one that gasses the dogs and cats and makes them suffer. I'm the one that pulls their dead corpses out smelling of Carbon Monoxide and throws them into green plastic bags. But I'm also the one that hates my job and hates what I have to do....
I look into the eyes of each dog. I give each dog a name. They will not die without a name. I give each dog 5 minutes of unconditional love and touch. I talk to them, and tell them that I'm so sorry that tomorrow they will die a gruesome, long, torturous death at the hands of me in the gas chamber. Some tilt their heads to try to understand. I tell them, that they will be in a better place, and I beg them not to hate me. I tell them that I know I'm going to hell, but they will all be playing with all the dogs and cats in heaven. After about 30 minutes, I take each dog individually, into their feces filled concrete jail cell, and pet them and scratch them under their chins. Some give me their paw, and I just want to die. I just want to die....
As usual, I will take sleeping pills tonight to drown out the screams I heard in the past, before I discovered the ear plugs. I will jump and twitch in my sleep, and I believe I'm starting to hallucinate....read the whole letter

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