POORLY WRITTEN ARTICLE FROM A CITY IN THE DARK.
In the following interview, I had stated that
we were going to open up our HUMANE EDUCATIONAL location and specifically stressed the
fact that we would focus 80% of our time and resources on Education, but continue to do a SMALL amount of rescue and that
we would not open till 2005. (2.5yrs away)
Nobody understands Humane Education or the
importance it carries in the fight to stop killing so many dogs. The reporter didn’t, obviously the editor
didn’t and absolutely NONE of the residents understood it. Primarily due to the way
it was presented. POORLY.
The article printed as if we were opening up a
sanctuary. Within two days of it’s
print, I’d received 18 calls CLEAR DOWN IN AZ. From folks asking me to please take
their dog.
When I finally got my response to be printed in
the letters to the editor section, I got 4 calls from angry people saying I hated animals, why didn’t I take them and save their lives
and how they didn’t need some ‘outsider’ demeaning their character.
Well, someone needs to. Maybe then you wouldn’t need the large number
of rescues and humane facilitiesyou have now.
We pray that the city of Reno will someday have a newspaper with some educated reporters and editors so that the few residents who do realize what the problems are and how to work on solutions, can hear the straight story.
Reno, Lake Tahoe, Carson City ANIMAL SANCTUARY PLANNED
of millions of unwanted, but
adoptable pets in this country. He recently joined forces with
Pete Bachstadt, Carson City resident and director of the
Carson-Eagle Valley Humane Association to create an animal
rescue sanctuary. The facility will be located on a 40-acre ranch
on Highway 95 south of Silver Springs and should be completed by
2005. The two men, who met in Sacramento in
January, share a passion for their cause second only to
their commitment to this project. Bachstadt, who's been doing rescue
work for 50 years, described the plight of these animals and
the people who try to care for them. "People try to place animals
through their homes, but often have no place to put them. I know a
lady in Reno with a house full of cats," he said. "It would be so much
better, if we had a facility to handle all the animals involved. Forty
acres isn't the world, but it's a good start and with a
little effort and cooperation, I can't see why
this couldn't become a state-wide facility."
be
open to groups, like schools and churches. Many animals will be up
for adoption. Warner, who has been doing this work for 18 years,
lectures to schools, churches, and other organizations around
the country on behalf of animal welfare. "This year's tour includes
40 states. I'm not afraid to get in people's faces and use
people
love me. The other half hate
me," he said. In 1999, adults
in this country made decisions
that ultimately resulted in
the unnecessary killing of
over 8 million pets. Our children
can do better, of only given
the right information, according
to Warner. "If you have
a litter, you're the biggest contributing factor to pet overpopulation.
We want to stop it, one way or another," he
said. "I'msick and tired of seeing perfectly lovable dogs killed
because some idiotic human didn't want to do the right thing. The educational facility will be
funded through grants and corporate sponsors. Warner will
not accept a salary, but needs to secure his living
expenses. He currently lives in Arizona, but once the sanctuary is
built, he will use it as a home base. Carson-Eagle Valley Humane
Society and Warner's organization, 21st Century Animal Resources and
Education Services, hope to work with other local
organizations. For more information, Bachstadt can be reached through
email at cevhs@pyramid.net
or by calling 882-4880. Warner can be
reached through his email at 21stcares@citlink.net
or by calling 928-767-4895. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
SATURDAY OCTOBER 26, 2002 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR "HUMANE EDUCATION CENTER
VS.ANIMAL SANCTUARY" I'd like to comment and clarify
some important points regarding the story done recently on the "Animal Sanctuary
Planned" by Suzie Vasquez. We were hoping the title would be HUMANE EDUCATION CENTER
TO OPEN. Although we will be doing rescue to those animals in need, our
biggest focus, or nearly 80% of our efforts, funding and sites, will be set on HUMANE
EDUCATION and the facility which will bring people in from around the country to learn how
to become a responsible, caring guardian for their pets. We don't do "owners'. In 1999, adults in this
country, made decisions which ultimately resulted in the unnecessary killing of over 8
million adoptable pets! Our children can do better if only given the proper
information. We need to show them the 21st Century Cares. Through research and
subsequent education, we can and will be able to change the way the next generation of
guardians views their companion animals. Responsible guardians do NOT turn
their pets into shelters or rescues. These turn ins come from irresponsible,
uncaring 'owners' who only wish to make their lives easier, without thinking of the near
certain demise faced by the animals they are relinquishing. Your article mentioned that
Bachstadt and Warner have been doing this for 18 years. True. But, we have both
decided that trying to curb this irresponsibility would prove to be a greater service to
those lives that have no voice of their own, as opposed to 'cleaning up other people's
messes' like rescues do. NECESSARY, yes. But only to assure that the
uninformed and uncaring humans have an easy 'out' when ever they choose to dump their pet. Proof? People didn't read
the article that said we would become a humane education center to begin operations in
2005. They saw animal sanctuary to open and the next day I received 18 calls.
1 from someone who had a genuine interest in helping, 17 from people asking us to
take their pets. When people turn over their pets, we ask them
if they really want to do this. When they say, "No, I really don't, but I have no
choice". we tell them they do and go to work showing how to keep the pet.
Training is free, guidance is free. temporary boarding can be arranged, education is
free - even a shoulder to cry on is free. Taking your pets into our care will cost
you. Either money, to support the continued operation in food and medical expenses, or in
the broken spirit, damaged soul, or the hole the 'owner' will have in his/her heart for
doing the wrong thing. Randy N. Warner |
