I contacted the governors office with regard to the proposal to shorten the hold times placed on animals in local shelters, an issue that is at the heart of those concerned for animals. Here is the response the governor sent me, and then my response to his response:
On Tue, Jun 16, 2009 at 5:00 PM,
Thank you for sharing your concerns with me about the proposal to lift restrictions on hold times at animal shelters. I value your input during these challenging economic times.
As you know, we are in the midst of the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. We now face a budget shortfall that has grown to $24.3 billion. I have proposed cuts that I would have never proposed except in a worst-case scenario, including eliminating General Fund support for programs like Healthy Families, CalWORKs, Cal Grants and State Parks. This was not an easy decision for me. As a dog owner myself, I have always supported animal welfare and have worked to ensure the humane treatment of animals.
Currently, the state requires all shelters to hold stray animals for four or six days and reimburses them for the associated costs. To address our budget crisis, I have proposed to suspend some Non-Proposition 98 mandates, including the reimbursement funds for these shelters. To help local shelters deal with the challenges of this difficult budget situation, I have also proposed that the state no longer require the four or six day hold time. Shelters still have the flexibility to keep the animals for more days, but my proposal avoids placing an unnecessary burden on local communities.
As I work with my partners in the Legislature to find solutions to these problems, know that I will keep your thoughts in mind. Working together, I believe we can weather this storm and start the slow but steady march back toward prosperity.
Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger
my reply:
Dear Mr. Schwarzenegger,
I am thoroughly disappointed by your dismissal of this very important issue. I do understand that we are in a major crisis in our state as well as in our country. I understand that many programs are being cut and we are facing tough times. However, this is not a negotiating matter. Compassion and caring for animals under our care is one of the most important issues we face.
Across this great land of ours millions of animals are being killed needlessly in our municipal shelters. I would invite you to take a tour with me of any local shelter. Mr. Schwarzenegger I hear you say that you are a dog owner yourself, but I doubt you have ever taken the time to visit a shelter and see what these animals are up against. Two years ago I was in a similar position as you, I too was a dog owner, but also had never visited a shelter. This changed my life completely.
As governor of a state it is politically correct for you to visit schools, hospitals, public events, rallies, parades and appear on TV. PLEASE, call me or have someone from your office call me. My organization Bound Angels www.boundangels.org creates public awareness for shelter animals, VISIT A SHELTER WITH ME. I urge you. The next time you are in LA, I will open my schedule to you and take you of a tour so you may see what “other dogs” live like. Not your dog living in your estate, or mine living at the beach, but the ones who live in a tiny cage waiting to be saved.
The days you are talking about cutting out of the budget are their greatest hope for possible adoption… the only chance they have. For the most part out animal control centers are less than humane and are severely under funded. If you have always supported animal welfare and if you have worked to ensure the humane treatment of animals I ask you, “Why Stop Now?”
All programs that are up before you to cut require no direct loss of life…. NONE. However, the loss of life that is at question here is not the life that will vote for you in the next election, but instead an innocent life with no one to speak out for it but someone like me. They lay quietly in a cell waiting to die. I ask, give them the chance at a life. This is an immense responsibility.
Will you rise up to the challenge?
Giving a voice to animals,
Robert Cabral
______________________________
Robert Cabral
BOUND ANGELS
“giving a voice to animals”
www.boundangels.org
www.BoundAngels.tv
www.youtube.com/boundangels