DAW Minutes August 30, 2006

1. Animal Cruelty in East LA

Sky Valencia reported on recurring incidents of cruelty and violence
against cats, domestic & feral in E. LA housing project. Lisa Reveen, Lake
Balboa DAW is attempting to assist.  So far, very little cooperation from police
or sherrif's dept.

Valencia reported that she would like to remove cats from the housing project
grounds and relocate them for their own safety. She would also like to find a way
to intimidate some of the young gang members who are hurting and killing the
animals.

Two local women, Yvonne & Adessia say they are willing to go to court to testify.
A trapping date has been set for trapping some of the cats. Valencia plans to leave notices, indicating legal penalties for cruelty, overbreeding, etc. She voiced concern over overbreeding, especially of white pit bulls.

Some stories reported included that of girl whose father attends dogfights,
makes videos of fights and forces daughter to watch the videos. Valencia
claims to have phone numbers, etc. addresses, etc. of these individuals.

Various attendees offered suggestions as to how to deal with the situation.
Dan Wiseman said he would contact Gloria Molina's office. Some expressed
opinion that schools have not been doing the job and that humane education should be taught in schools.

2. Kitty Clark was presented to DAWS as prospective new DAW for Glendale.
Her qualifications were read to the group. They included: membership in the Pet Pals Club as a young person. Membership in the early 70's in the Fund for Animals. More recently in Best Friends. Clark has her own website (www.thepoppyfoundation.org.) Other memberships include Animal Rescue Committe of the Glen Oaks Canyon Home Owners Assn.  DAWS present voted unanimously in favor of admitting her as Glendale DAW.

3. Executive Board. Rich Mc Clellan offered suggestions as to how to effectively structure an executive board for the DAWS. He stresses the importance of getting "good people" to serve. He felt that seven would be an appropriate number of members or officers of the executive board. Also that it might be best if the board members chose their own officers: president, vice-president, etc. once the board is established. Mc Clellan who is not a DAW himself offered his services as a consultant to the executive board.

The following DAWS were nominated to be put up for election to the board.
(Additional nominations may be placed at the Sept. DAW meeting or emailed to Charlotte Laws at drlaws@adelphia.net prior to the meeting): Lisa Reveen,
Charlotte Laws, Dianna Lannes, George Shea, Missy Woodward, Sky Valencia, Scott Sorrentino, Gary Barratta, Adele Langdon.

4.Humane Education/Adele Langdon

Westwood & Bel Air DAW, Adele Landon is teaching a class on humane education. She explained to meeting that she is teaching children re emergency kits, importance of spaying & neutering, how to treat dog bites and how to keep them from happening. Children are asked questions such as: should you even have a dog or cat?  Adele's website: adelelangdon.com

Members suggested re lack of human education or consciousness at UCLA that
Adele consult with Tami Bryant, a law professor at UCLA, also with the
active animal rights group on campus.

5. Conditions in Shelters

Adele Langdon spoke to the group re a firsthand report she received from a
vet technician who worked in the West LA Bundy shelter. According to the
report, there are a great number of sick animals presently in the West LA shelter and considerable suffering among the animals there. Marlene Goodman offered
anecdote re an animal who was put down because it had developed "kennel cough." Lezle Stein reported that many dogs, especially pitbulls have gotten "kennel crazy."

What is needed is more spaying & neutering as well as increased adoptions.

Sherry Brewer who works as a volunteer at the E. Valley Shelter reported re dogs who are brought in because their owners are incarcerated. According to Brewer, LAAS Gen Mgr. Ed Boks has reported that these :"evidence dogs" are going to foster homes. Brewer says this is not the case, as these dogs are instead going to shelters.

DAW President Charlotte Laws discussed how the commission is working on a whole new adoption policy, also on issue of and landlord approval of pets. It was noted that in one day 13 new dogs were admitted to E. Valley Shelter, 10 0f them owner turn-ins.

?? North Central repeat offenses -- they're going to have a list.

It was noted that Philadelphia has adopted a No-Kill policy, also that the LA Animal Cruelty Task Force has five people for the entire city of Los Angeles.

It was noted that the new E. Valley shelter is opening in 1-2 months. Dan
Wiseman offered suggestion that DAWS could work with the new shelter, make it a model for the entire system. Diana Lannes noted that N. Central is opening a whole new section.

DAW George Shea proposed that a committee to study and offer proposals for
improving conditions in the shelters be created. Attendees who expressed
interest in joining the committee were: Adele Langdon, Lezle Stein. Sherry Brewer, Dan Wiseman, George Shea, Marlene Goodman.

Dan Wiseman noted that on Sept. 13, the E. Valley Shelter will be on the agenda to be discussed at the Van Nuys Neighborhood Council meeting. He invited attendees to attend meeting.

6. New Meeting Spaces

DAW Sec. Shea reported that an online poll of 15 DAWS turned up 13 DAWS
expressing a willingness to pay $5 for parking if meetings could be held on
Sunday nights at 6 PM at the Beverly Garland Hotel theatre in N. Hollywood.

The possibility of returning to Sunday night meetings was discussed. DAW
President Charlotte Laws noted that many members had indicated they were not
able to attend weeknight meetings because of work commitments. Attendees
expressed general support for a 6 Pm Sun. meeting at the Beverly Garland. DAW Pres. Laws urged Shea to investigate offer from Beverly Garland management. If such an arrangement could be made, Sept. meeting would be on Sun at 6 at Beverly Garland.

7. Spaying & Neutering

DAW Lezle Stein noted that the Sam Simon Foundation is no longer offering
free spaying & neutering services. The Amanda Foundation has taken it over.
Marlene Goodman reports that the Feral Cat Alliance has trapped, spayed and neutered 243 cats.

8. Farm Animals/Factory Farms/Media

Jeff Wright spoke re plight of animals on factory farms and urged attendees to put pressure on Trader Joe's. He noted that Whole Foods has been doing a
commendable job re farm animals, urged a letter writing campaign to Trader Joe's. Wright also noted also commendable work by Heavenly Organics.org.

DAW Shea spoke of a letter he had recently addressed to the children's
encyclopedia, "The World Book" re its report that the lives of hogs on factory
farms were "comfortable."

Janise Klinger noted that Time magazine, in a recent issue made fun of the
ban by the City of Chicago on fois gras.

DAWS were encouraged to write to both the World Book & Time magazine.

9. Announcements

DAW Diana Lannes announced an event on spaying & neutering at Glassell Park on Sept. 9. Workbooks and coloring books on animal issues such as dog fighting
will be made available to children.  Lannes also expressed opinion that
DAWS should have page on "My Space."

Lezle Stein suggested a shortened DAW website that could be included on neighborhood council websites.

DAW Lisa Reveen announced an Oct. 8 community picnic in W. Van Nuys
to raise $6,000.

Paula Maxwell announced: a Street fair in West LA (a "Bow Wow/Meow" event) on
Sept. 17.

Marlene Goodman urged attendees eligible to vote in Sherman Oaks NC election
(Sept. 11 4-8 PM) to cast a vote for her as she is running for seat on NC.

Sept. 17-24 is National Farm Animals Awareness Week.

Meeting was adjourned, Date for next meeting will be either Sept. 24 or
Oct. 1 at, tentatively, Beverly Garland in N. Hollywood.

George Shea
DAW Secretary