Mary Cummins Wildlife Rehabilitation Animal Advocates News Los Angeles California: March 2015

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Bill to ban debarking of cats and dogs to be voted upon in New York - Animal Advocates, Mary Cummins

New York assembly agriculture committee debark cats, dogs - Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates

This passed the assembly vote March 24, 2015 147/0 unanimous. It now goes before the New York Assembly Agriculture Committee. I'm trying to track it down and will post and update as an action alert. They meet Tuesdays are 9:00 a.m. New York time. It's not on any agenda yet. I'll keep checking. Here are members of the committee to politely contact. Tell them to vote yes on 1679 to ban debarking. I swiped the contacts from AKC website ;-)


Those who reside or participate in events in New York are encouraged to contact the Assembly Agriculture Committee TODAY and ask them to support, vote for Assembly Bill 1679.

COMMITTEE CONTACT INFORMATION

Click on the committee member's name below for Albany and district contact information.If you are a constituent, be sure to mention that when contacting them:

William Magee, Chair (District 121 - Oneida)
Didi Barrett (District 106 - Hudson)
Michael Benedetto (District 82 - Bronx)
Ken Blankenbush (District 117 - Carthage)
Harry Bronson (District 138 - Rochester)
Marc Butler (District 118 - Johnstown, Herkimer)
Clifford Crouch (District 122 - Binghamton)
Gary Finch (District 126 - Auburn)
Aileen Gunther (District 100 - Monticello, Middletown)
Stephen Hawley (District 139 - Albion)
Barbara Lifton (District 125 - Ithaca)
Peter Lopez (District 102 - Catskill, Schoharie)
Steven Otis (District 91 - Port Chester)
Jose Rivera (District 78 - Bronx)
Linda Rosenthal (District 67 - Manhattan)
Addie Russell (District 116 - Watertown, Canton)
Angelo Santabarbara (District 111 - Amsterdam, Schenectady)
Luis Sepulveda (District 87 - Bronx)
Michael Simanowitz (District 27 - Flushing)
Frank Skartados (District 104 - Newburgh)
James Skoufis (District 99 - Chester)
Al Stirpe (District 127 - N. Syracuse)
Carrie Woerner (District 113 - Saratoga Springs)

Borrowed from IDA when similar bill failed. I corrected the info so it's current.

Who to contact:

1) Assemblyman William Magee, Chair, Agriculture Committee: 518-455-4807,MageeW@assembly.state.ny.us

2) Your own Assemblymember. Don’t know who he or she is? Just click here and enter your address:http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?sh=search

3) Speaker Carl E Heastie: (518) 455-4218 Speaker@assembly.state.ny.us

How to contact them:

Calls (during normal business hours) are most effective.
If you get voicemail, leave your name, address (to prove you’re a constituent) and a short message: “I urge the Assemblymember to pass Assembly Bill 3431-A. Devocalization is cruel and must be banned!”
Then call again until you can speak with an aide.
If you email, put this in the subject line: Constituent Support for A1679 Banning Devocalization

What to say to your Assemblymember (or an aide):

In your words: “I urge you (the Assemblymember) to pass A1679, which bans devocalization of dogs and cats. Cutting an animal’s vocal cords by any means for any purpose except to treat a physical ailment causing the animal medical harm is cruel. Massachusetts has outlawed devocalization. It is illegal throughout the UK too. It’s time for New York to step up!"
Be an informed advocate: Read the Fast Facts below before calling.
Always be brief and polite!

Got another minute to protect dogs and cats? Ask your veterinarian for a letter supporting A1679 and be sure to get a copy! Urge him or her to take a humane stand for animals as more than 200 Massachusetts vets did by endorsing that devocalization ban. Surgery used to stifle a dog’s or cat’s voice is animal cruelty. The vets to whom we entrust our best friends should never sanction that.

Fast Facts About Devocalization

Devocalization can cause lifelong suffering or horrific death by choking or heat stroke.
The risk of infection is greater for devocalization than for other surgical procedures.
Complications are common regardless of the vet's skill, the instrument used - even laser - and whether vocal cords are cut through the oral cavity or an incision in the neck.
In fact, the less-invasive procedure has a higher risk of internal scarring that may obstruct the airway and impair swallowing and breathing.
Surgery to correct airway obstruction following devocalization is very costly - and may need to be repeated, subjecting animals to increased risks and their guardians to expenses they may not be able or willing to fund.
Devocalized animals are given up just like any other dog or cat, such as when no longer useful for breeding or exhibition. This convenience surgery exposes them to great risks without any benefit.
Some breeders have sold animals without disclosing they were devocalized, leaving the new families to face great expense or the suffering and death of their beloved companion.
Devocalization is more common than most people think, primarily among those who use animals for profit or hobby, when they or neighbors don’t want to hear their animals or to keep show dogs quiet in the ring or in transit between shows. Unlike cut ears and tails, cut vocal cords are not visible, so most people assume these animals' raspy voices or labored breathing are the result of an illness. Who would imagine someone had their vocal cords cut?
Cats are devocalized too, though less often than dogs.

BILL NUMBER:A1679

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in
relation to restricting the performance of surgical devocalization
procedures on dogs and cats

PURPOSE OF THE BILL: This bill will prohibit the devocalization of
dogs and cats unless there is a medical condition that requires the
procedure.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: Section one of the bill creates section 365-a
in the agriculture and markets law that prohibits the devocalization
of cats and dogs unless medically necessary.

Section two of the bill relates to forfeiture of animals.

Section three of the bill authorizes the commissioner of agriculture
and markets and the commissioner of education to promulgate rules and
regulations to enforce this section.

JUSTIFICATION: The devocalization of animals is an invasive procedure
that involves the surgical removal of a dog or cat's vocal cords.
This procedure often leads to serious and long term respiratory and
throat ailments. It silences the dog or cat and prevents communication
between other animals and their owners.

This bill will outlaw "convenience" devocalization and restrict the
invasive surgery for cases where it is medically necessary to treat or
relieve an illness or injury.

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A01679&term=2015&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.

Google+ Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, wildlife, wild, animal, rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitator, fish, game, los angeles, california, united states, squirrel, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat, manual, instructor, speaker, humane, nuisance, control, pest, trap, exclude, deter, green, non-profit, nonprofit, non, profit, ill, injured, orphaned, exhibit, exhibitor, usda, united states department of agriculture, hsus, humane society, peta, ndart, humane academy, humane officer, animal legal defense fund, animal cruelty, investigation, peace officer, animal, cruelty, abuse, neglect #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

How to safely help dying baby sea lions - Mary Cummins Animal Advocates Los Angeles California

Starving dying baby sea lion Los Angeles, California Mary Cummins Animal Advocates

You've all heard about all the baby sea lions dying on the beach. There is no more room to rescue them. They are rescuing the ones with the highest chance of survival and leaving the rest on the beach to die. They are also leaving all adults no matter what at the moment.

Some assholes are throwing rocks at, kicking, taking their pics with the dying animals. Others are trying to rescue, give water, feed them. All of these things are bad for the sea lions and illegal. They are too weak to eat or drink. They can also bite especially the adults.

There is something you can do to make the last hours of the baby sea lions' lives more peaceful. Get some stakes, caution tape and print out the marine mammal warning sign below. Place four stakes in a square about ten feet apart around the baby sea lion (don't get near adults as they are too dangerous). Tie caution tape near the top of the stakes so baby can move if he wants to but people can still easily see the caution tape. Staple a print out of the marine mammal warning sign on one stake.

Stay on the beach and guard the sea lions. Have your video camera handy in case people try to harass or harm the sea lions. If you see someone harassing them and you believe it's safe for you to approach the person, tell them it's a crime to harass marine mammals with fines of $10,000 per incident. Here is some information about enforcing the Marine Mammal Protection Act. http://www.elephantseal.org/fordocents/Docent%20Handbook%202014/Tab%204-3%20Marine%20Mammal%20Harrassment-statement.pdf

When people approach use the opportunity to talk about the sea lion crisis. It's caused by change in ocean temperatures which is causing the fish they eat to move farther off shore. Mothers have travel longer distances to get food then they have to come back to the islands to feed their young. Mothers and babies are starving and end up being pulled by the currents and washed onto the shore to die.

Dying starving baby sea lions Los Angeles California Mary Cummins Animal Advocates

Remember, always remove all your stakes, tape and signs when you leave the beach. Reuse the stakes, tape and signs. Wear a hat, use sunblock, bring your own water in a reusable bottle.

Supplies:

25-Pack 36-in Wood Landscape Stakes $13
Couple rolls of caution tape 3" x 1,000' $3.99
20 8"x11" printed out Marine Mammal warning signs

Do not get near adult sea lions. They are too dangerous even in their dimished condition. If you see someone getting near an adult, warn them and quote the law. Thanks.

Mary Cummins
Animal Advocates
http://www.AnimalAdvocates.us
http://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdvocatesUSA

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.

Monday, March 9, 2015

Sam Simon passed away yesterday at his home, June 6, 1955 - March 8, 2015

Sam Simon, Sam Simon Foundation, Los Angeles, California, Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates, 1955-2015

Sam Simon "(June 6, 1955 - March 8, 2015) was an American director, producer, writer, boxing manager and philanthropist. While at Stanford University, Simon worked as a newspaper cartoonist and after graduating became a storyboard artist at Filmation Studios. He submitted a spec script for the sitcom Taxi, which was produced, and later became the series' showrunner. Over the next few years, Simon wrote and produced for Cheers, It's Garry Shandling's Show and other programs, as well as writing the 1991 film The Super."

Sam grew up in Beverly Hills and went to Beverly Hills High School. He is ten years older than me so he was the class of 1973. I was 1983. Below are some pics from the yearbook and alumni guide. He was on the wrestling and football teams and excelled in both. Father Arthur Sheldon Simon, mother Joan Feld, sister Sydney Eve Simon, ex-wives Jennifer Tilly, Jami Michelle Ferrell.

Sam Simon, Sam Simon Foundation, Sam Michael Simon, 1955-2015, Mary Cummins, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, California

Monday, March 2, 2015

Donate to Baby Warm for an incubator for Animal Advocates - Mary Cummins, Los Angeles

Baby Warm, incubator, Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates, donate, Los Angeles, California

Like so many rehabbers, Mary started helping animals when she couldn't find anybody to help some orphaned babies. She now cares for everything from squirrels, raccoons, opossums, voles, moles, gophers, birds to larger animals like bobcats, coyotes and the occasional fox. Her incubator will be used for tiny orphaned babies - skunks, raccoons, opossums and bats. In between caring for animals, Mary also answers wildlife questions from around the world and does all she can to share her passion for wildlife with animal lovers everywhere.

Donate here!

Mary Cummins pages