A Voice For Animals Column – Sharon Hubbard Week of August 1

Dear Readers,
“When shelters act in ways that harm animals, the No Kill Advocacy Center has the courage and conviction to take them on.
The No Kill Advocacy Center is the only national nonprofit organization working exclusively to end the systematic killing of animals in U.S. shelters. “
I recently received a press release from Nathan Winograd, author and founder of the No Kill Advocacy Center and I’d like to share it with you.
“The Governor of Delaware just signed the most sweeping, progressive companion animal protection legislation in the United States. The law was modeled on the No Kill Advocacy Center’s Companion Animal Protection Act.
Like Oreo’s Law sought to do, the Delaware Companion Animal Protection Act mandates collaboration between shelters and rescue groups. A shelter cannot kill an animal if a rescue group is willing to save that animal’s life. But that is just the beginning. It also makes convenience killing illegal. Shelters can no longer kill an animal when there are available cages or the animals can share a cage or kennel with another one.
Specifically, the Delaware CAPA states:
Animal shelters shall ensure that the following conditions are met before an animal is euthanized:
(i) The holding period for the animal required by this chapter is expired;
(ii) There are no empty cages, kennels, or other living environments in the shelter that are suitable for the animal;
(iii) The animal cannot share a cage or kennel with appropriately sized primary living space with another animal;
(iv) A foster home is not available;
(v) Organizations on the registry developed pursuant to §8003(d) are not willing to accept the animal; and
(vi) The animal care/control manager certifies that the above conditions are met and that he/she has no other reasonable alternative.
The law also requires posting “all stray animals on the Internet with sufficient detail to allow them to be recognized and claimed by their owners,” requires shelters to maintain registries of rescue groups willing to save lives, and requires shelters to post statistics (intake, adoption, reclaim, transfer and killing rate).
While the law is now the most progressive companion animal protection legislation on record in this country, and can only be considered an unqualified victory for the No Kill movement, some of the No Kill Advocacy Center’s recommendations were not accepted. Nonetheless, Delaware continues to lead the way in embracing the legislative framework necessary to ensure justice. And we will build upon this framework in the coming years to strengthen protections for animals even more.
Nathan J. Winograd
Director, No Kill Advocacy Center”
Readers, Civic Associations are now forming across Long Island.
Their goal will be to transition their town shelters to NO Kill and ensure the best possible care for the animals in the shelters as they are waiting to be adopted.
please contact Janice at xenamom@optonline.net to join the Civic association for the following towns: Lindenhurst, Copaigue, North Babylon, West Babylon, Babylon, Amityville, Oak Beach
If the Islip Animal Shelter is your town shelter contact Rosemary at: RVolvo960
This is your opportunity to join with fellow like minded citizens and make your votes count!
Please visit a shelter and adopt.
Remember, Your Best Friend Is Waiting…

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