DAWS Meeting, June 23, 2006.

1. Meeting began 30 minutes late because of a bomb scare outside public buildings on Van Nuys Blvd.  DAWS President Charlotte Laws and Adele Langdon introduced Assembllyman Lloyd Levine as main speaker for the evening.

2. Assemblyman Levine noted that he himself has been a lifelong advocate for animals and that a deep respect for animals was imbued in him by his parents.

Levine noted that he started working with the California state legislature in 1996. He gave the DAWS audience some inside view of various and surprising ways in which pro-animal legislation gets passed. For example, the Comprehensive Spay and Neuter law was signed by a Republican governor, who was expected not to sign it, but the wife of a prominent supporter, Ted Weglin who owned the Mission Inn, happened to be on the board of the ASPCA and helped to get it passed.

Levine noted that during his time in the legislature he has focused on "real achievement" as opposed to "moral victories" with no real achievement.

He has worked toward enabling people to change their behavior. For example, he was involved in introducing a Spay Day USA resolution to get more and more people to spay and neuter animals.

Levine noted that he remains deeply concerned about the plight of the remaining elephants at the LA Zoo. He feels that the recent death of Gita would not have been in vain if it can achieve a reversal of the City Council decision in favor of a 3000 square foot "Elephant Exhibit." It would be best of the elephants were removed to a sanctuary in which they would have sufficient room to roam freely.

He explained that at the beginning of the last legislative session, he introduced six pro-animal bills, stressing that the zoo elephants were his top priority. By the end of the session he had been given everything else he requested but not his elephant legislation. That appeared to be the trade off.

Levine noted that in general zoos around the country are either ceasing to include elephants or increasing the amount of space they are being allotted.

Levine announced that he is creating a Special Executive Committee on Animal Welfare  for which he will set the agenda.
It will hold hearings on a number of animal-related issues beginning with that of the elephants. He also noted his belief that elephants do not belong in circuses.

Levine explained importance of writing letters to the Mayor and other public officials. Letters and faxes are always more important than e-mails. A letter to a public official such as himself will receive more favorable attention if (a) it is sufficiently researched and (b) it is well-organized and offers rational and practicable solutions.

He encouraged DAWS to work with groups that lobby: In Defense of Animals, United Animal Nation, ASPCA, HSUS.

3. DAWS Pres. Charlotte Laws discussed format re Neighborhood Councils.

-- Only bring specific matters to NC -- matters you feel are of specific importance and that you want to pursue. Bring them action items - tell them exactly what you want them to do. They have many matters before them and little time. Never waste their time rambling on. Be concise and to the point.
-- A stakeholder can be the head of a committee. A DAW could suggest that his or her council start an Animal Welfare Committee.
-- DAWS should be making efforts to get themselves on NC. Seats open up from time to time.

4. President Charlotte Laws noted that Ida Noack was not present to explain the situation with the San Diego DAWs. Laws introduced a motion to eliminate San Diego DAWS, Alison Whitney, Deb Stouffer and Mimi Brown (even though she had already resigned) and not to have any more San Diego DAWs, but to let them start their own group if they want. She said that San Diego DAWS "have been fighting with each other," that strangers have made complaints against them and have been fighting with them and that one of the DAWS, Alison Whitney, was recently arrested on arms charges. She said the San Diego DAWs are far away and not easy to monitor, in fact we have never met any of them. Laws announced that any members in attendance at the meeting, including non-DAWS, would be able to vote on this motion.

The initial motion was to remove the San Diego DAWS from the LA group and not to have any more San Diego DAWs at this time. Motion was seconded.

DAWS Secretary George Shea introduced an amendment to the effect that Whitney and Stouffer should be excluded from the organization but that any action on Mimi Brown should be postponed to a later time. He explained that he planned to speak with Brown and did not feel it was appropriate to vote to exclude her without hearing from her first. Laws said that she had already resigned so a vote was not necessary. She encouraged Shea to talk with her. 

Shea's amendment was seconded and made part of the final motion which was unanimously approved as Alison Whitney and Deb Stouffer were excluded from the DAWS organization and DAWs from San Diego would not be part of the LA DAW organization at this time.

Laws noted that Mimi Brown had expressed a desire to start up a San Diego branch of the DAWS. She said she had told Mimi that morning that she could use the "DAW" name and that Mimi seemed to be doing good work. Meeting attendees did not want Mimi to use the name. They said the LA DAWs could not monitor these people, and they should not be able to potentially tarnish the DAW name.

5. Marlene Goodman presented re Emergency Preparedness for Animals, a disaster plan she has been working on with the cooperation of Best Friends and LAAS as well as United Animal Nations. Goodman explained that she has put together disaster packages that can be taken to United Animal Nations in the Sacramento area. any DAWs took the booklets for their Councils.

6. DAW Secretary George Shea presented on subject of Daws Reports. He proposed that five minutes be set aside at DAW general meetings during which DAWS would fill out DAW Report questionnaires. This would be in addition to monthly DAW Reports that had been filed previously and would, hopefully, result in a greater representation of DAWS reports. A motion was presented for this, seconded and unanimously passed.

7. DAW Missy Woodward reported on success of Best Friends Adoption Event and attendant publicity. Woodward noted that every cat was adopted. Charlotte Laws noted that she would personally like to see all DAWS volunteer at an animal adoption event once or twice a year. She noted that it could be part of the DAW procedures and requirements for all DAWs (which was being created by the Platform Committee). The Platform Committee ideas will be presented at the next general meeting because the committee chair was absent.

It was noted that Burbank DAW Ida Noack was present with one dog all day. The animal had been in a shelter since January.

DAW Boal reported that West Hills is having its pet adoption event in October, 2006.

8. Gen. Mgr of LAAS, Ed Boks reported that he is working with on a pro bono basis with an advertising agency to promote campaign for goal of No-Kill. "We will be looking for DAWS to get the word out." Boks added that he had sent out a blog "just today" promoting the "Pet of the Day."

Charlotte Laws suggested that DAWS organization would add that blog to its website.

9. DAW Kris Kelly reported on matter of "Florida" dog and letter. Motion to send letter was introduced and passed by unanimous vote. Venita is writing the letter.

10. Charlotte Laws announced that she would like to have next (July) DAWS meeting at her new home in Woodland Hills. The meeting would be a combination of an outdoor party and regular DAWS meeting.

LAAS Gen. Mgr. Ed Boks introduced Bob Ferber, a lawyer with the Anti-Cruelty Task Force.

DAW Sky Valencia expressed concern about the plight of animals during the forthcoming July 4 holiday. Animals are terrified by fireworks going off all around them, etc. A number of suggestions were put forward. Possibly, Bob Ferber could introduce a bill to the LA City Council requiring that pet owners keep dogs and cats indoors during the holiday.

It was also suggested that Spanish language newspapers and radio stations be encouraged to run announcements urging pet owners to keep pets indoor during the holiday.

Marlene Goodman announced that the Feral Cat Alliance is having an upcoming fundraiser.

Bob Ferber spoke re the Apartment Owners Association in Los Angeles.He noted that lease agreements are created by the Association and suggested that the DAWS organization could work the Association to help landlords understand that pets are acceptable.

Meeting was adjourned. Date of next meeting to be announced on DAWS website.