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Federation Express - May 2010
Prairie States Animal Welfare Conference
Special Registration rates for IAWF members!
We are now offering a registration special for all IAWF members. The first registered attendee from each organization is $125, and each subsequent registrant is only $50. And don't forget to use the $25 coupon you received when you renewed your IAWF membership!
It is not too late! Register now to attend the 10th Annual Prairie States Animal Welfare Conference on June 14-16 at the Holiday Inn City Centre in Peoria!
Prairie States offers over 15 sessions and opportunities for animal welfare professionals to learn, network, and have fun! Whether you are an Executive Director, Animal Control Officer, Kennel Technician, Director of Operations, Volunteer, Dog Trainer, Veterinary Technician or Board Member, you will find something of interest at Prairie States.
This year's conference features a special session with Sue Sternberg, a nationally known speaker, for a special presentation on dogs as well as a day of leadership training presented by PetSmart Charities.
Other speakers and topics include Dr. Grant Gugisberg speaking on feline health and welfare, Compassion Fatigue with Doug Fakkema, Developing a Foster Program with Kim Intino from The HSUS and many more!
Please mail your registration paperwork by June 7th.
The 2010 Prairie States Animal Welfare Conference is proudly sponsored by the Illinois Animal Welfare Federation, Science Diet, Petsmart Charities, Petfinder.com, C Specialties, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, and J&J Dog Supplies.
The IAWF is happy to announce the beginning of our Transfer Program. The intent of this program is to allow shelters to network with each other when they either have more animals than they have room for or they have open space to accept animals from another shelter. We are not trying to dictate each shelters internal transfer policies and guidelines, but simply trying to find a convenient method of matching up shelters which may be able to work together. Each shelter is responsible for working together to arrange the actual transfer.
To participate in the program, a shelter/rescue must be a member of the IAWF and have a valid Illinois Department of Agriculture license. Once this is verified, a group will be added to our Yahoo Groups list and this is where shelters will communicate about animals to transfer. Additionally, each group’s application will be kept within Yahoo Groups for others to review when deciding to work together. For instance, if a group will transfer animals fully vetted, this information will be contained in the application and available for others to see.
Our goal is to allow each group to retain their autonomy when deciding internal policies and procedures, but help groups find each other to better facilitate the movement of animals.
As with all new programs, we anticipate minor bumps in the road and we will quickly address them. Please let us know what works (and doesn’t work) for you so we can improve this program as we move forward. Below is an outline of the process to participate in the IAWF Transfer Program.
1) Requests to join the transfer program by completing the source and/or destination shelter application found at www.iawf.net and send to transferprogram@iawf.net . A signed copy of the IAWF Transfer Program ethics policy must also be sent (scanned and sent via email, faxed to (708)848-0172 or US Mail to 1011 Garfield St; Oak Park, IL 60304)
2) Once approved for participation in the program, the organization will be added to the Yahoo Group so they may start utilizing the program.
3) Completed applications will be available on line through Yahoo Groups for everyone to review to determine each shelters transfer requirements.
Procedures
1) The IAWF is acting as the conduit to connect shelters/rescues which may be able to work together to better place their animals. The IAWF does not participate in any transfer nor take responsibility for any part of the transaction.
2) When a group wants to receive or send animals through the program, they simply log onto Yahoo groups and indicate how many animals they have to send or receive.
3) Any group interested in working with the requesting group should contact them directly to work out the details. Contact info will be found in the requesting email or on a group’s application (found on the Yahoo Groups site)
Humane Education
Humane Education is not a new concept at all. As early as 1933, the National P.T.A. Congress issued the following statement in support of humane education:
“Children trained to extend justice, kindness, and mercy to animals become more just, kind, and considerate in their relations with each other. Character training along these lines will result in men and women of broader sympathies, more humane, more law abiding, in every respect more valuable citizens.
Humane education is teaching in the schools and colleges of the nation the principles of justice, goodwill, and humanity toward all life. The cultivation of the spirit of kindness to animals is but the starting point towards that larger humanity which includes one’s fellow of every race and clime. A generation of people trained in these principles will solve their international difficulties as neighbors and not as enemies.” (From the 1933 National P.T.A. Congress)
When looking at the definition of humane education, you can’t help but think this is topic worth teaching! Many communities have the idea of humane education entrenched in their school’s curriculum already. The concept of training children to grow up to be responsible, compassionate citizens is one that every community embraces. Keep this in mind if you are a small humane society or animal control facility interested in offering humane education in your area schools and you doubt they would give you an opportunity to present educational programs. In reality, animal welfare groups have much the same goal as school districts do, and that is to train young people to extend kindness, justice, and mercy to all life which results in men and women of broader sympathies. Consider contacting your local school district, you may be surprised at their interest in having presentations on responsible pet care, safety around animals, wildlife appreciation, or even careers with animals.
Pet Bytes
Online training - free webinars!
Nobody in the field of animal welfare seems to have time to take a lunch break, much less attend a conference these days. If you need some help, but don't have the time (or money) to fly to a national conference, online webinars are a great option. Free webinars are offered on a huge range of subjects including fundraising, volunteer recruitment and management, humane education, standard operating procedures, and much, much more! Webinars change frequently, so make sure to check back if you don't see what you're looking for. And don't worry, if you can't attend a scheduled webinar, many are recorded so they you can view them when it's convenient for you! Here are some of the more prominent webinar sites:
Legislation Update
The Illinois General Assembly will consider a number of bills that affect animals this session. You can help pass or defeat these bills by contacting your local representatives on behalf of your agency or even simply on your own. Legislators appreciate and listen to the comments and opinions of their constituents. Although the Illinois Legislature struggled with budget issues again this year, our Representatives still introduced some significant bills affecting animals.
HB 5772 introduced by Rep. Mendoza requires certain disclosures by pet shops, animal shelters and animal control facilities. Intended to provide essential information to consumers, the amendment could help to further restrict commercial breeders. This bill passed the House and is currently under consideration in the Senate.
SB 2580 introduced by Sen. Holmes prohibited the tethering of dogs in Illinois. Although it passed out of the Senate, it did not pass out of the House's Agriculture Committee. We hope it may be reconsidered later as it could provide relief for dogs who now live their lives on chains.
Senator Lightford introduced SB 3628, a bill amending the Criminal Code to increase the penalty for an adult who takes a person 13 years or younger to a dogfight. A parent, guardian, or other person over 18 who does so will face a Class 3 Felony charge.It also increases the penalties for persons who conduct dogfights within 1,000 feet of a school, public park, playground, child care institution, day care center, part day child care facility, day care home, or group day care home. The bill further provides that a person who ties any live animal to any machine or device for the purpose of causing the animal to be pursued by a dog or dogs is guilty of a Class 4 felony and may be fined an amount not to exceed $50,000. Good news! This amendment passed both Houses. Rep. Yarbrough introduced HB 5790, a sister bill, that also passed both Houses.
The IAWF hopes to continue to monitor Illinois legislation affecting animals and will be working with other organizations and our state legislators in the upcoming session to promote more laws that will benefit animals in Illinois.
More bills and proposed legislation may arise as the session proceeds. The IAWF will monitor those for effect to our member organizations and animals in Illinois. Watch your e-mail and the IAWF website for more information. You can also see legislation as it progresses by checking the Illinois General Assembly website at www.ilga.gov.
Training
June 18 - St. Louis, MO
June 25 - Milwaukee, WI
NACA Training Summit- for more information, go to www.nacanet.org. May 21-21 - Columbus, OHWebinars - for more information, go to www.petsmartcharities.org. PetSmart Charities® provides free, ongoing webinars to help animal welfare organizations and individuals to learn more about current animal welfare-related topics such as grant funding, foster programs, volunteering and adoption. These webinars give your organization the chance to attend a free national conference from the comfort of your home or office and without travel expenses! All you need is a phone to call our toll-free conference number. Renowned individuals in the animal welfare field present different topics every month.
Board of Directors Meeting Update
The Illinois Animal Welfare Federation Board of Directors held its 2nd quarterly meeting on April 23, 2010, in Peoria. At that meeting the board:
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Approved the Treasurer's Report.
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Approved the Committee Reports for Prairie States Conference Committee, Membership Committee, Legislative Committee, Public Relations/Communications Committee, Governmental Affairs Committee, and Training Committee.
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Noted that the IAWF had 62 organizational members and 5 individual members thus far in 2010.
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Approved the nomination of Karen Gregory of Livingston County Humane Society to the Board of Directors and the vacation of two current board positions.
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Noted that the Compassion Fatigue session presented by Doug Fakkema at the Prairie States Conference will satisfy the new requirement for additional training for Certified Euthanasia Technicians.
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Approved the consideration of a business plan to provide transportation under the Transfer Committee in coming months.
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Approved the suggested protocols to submit to the Department of Agriculture regarding the Humane Investigation program.
Get involved!
The Illinois Animal Welfare Federation is currently accepting letters of interest from representatives of organizational members to serve on the Board of Directors. Interested parties should submit letters of interest and/or resumes to the Nominating Committee Chair, Diane Spyrka at diane.awl@sbcglobal.net.
Board members help the IAWF through service on one of several committees, networking with other professionals in the field, representing the association in legislative issues, and working with governmental agencies or other animal-related organizations. The Board meets quarterly on the 4th Friday of January, April, July, and October in varying locations around the state. Board membership requires that members attend at least 75% of the meetings and serve on a committee throughout the year. Expand your efforts serving the animals and people of Illinois by stating your interest to serve with the IAWF! |
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