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Monday, July 17, 2017

NEVER use glue or sticky traps, #trapstik for insects, pests. They trap non-target birds, animals - Animal Advocates


trapstik, inhumane, cruel, traps non-target insects and animals, kills birds, animal advocates, los angeles, california, mary cummins, glue trap, visilure, Sterling Intl. TSW-BB6 TrapStik Wasp Trap

UPDATE: 07/24/2017 Just received this from Canadian environment enforcement. 

"Good Monday morning Animal Advocates,
 
Please see below the response that our program staff provided concerning the Trapstik situation.
 
·         Under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (MBCA), the Government of Canada is responsible for ensuring that populations of migratory birds are protected and conserved.
·         Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is responsible for developing and implementing programs, policies and regulations to ensure the protection of migratory birds, their eggs and their nests.
·         ECCC monitors migratory bird status, protects high quality habitat, identifies species at risk, enforces conservation laws, and tracks success of species management activities.
·         ECCC is aware of the reports of migratory bird deaths that allegedly occurred in Ontario as a result of wasp traps.
·         ECCC officials are monitoring this matter.
·         It is our understanding that the manufacturer announced on July 20, 2017 that it is asking retailers to remove the “TrapStik for Wasps”  from shelves.
 
For your information, we also attached a link from the manufacturer, explaining that he is pulling the product from all stores : https://www.rescue.com/trapstik-for-wasps-to-be-pulled-from-stores
 
Hope this information is helpful.
Thank you and have an excellent day and week!"

UPDATE: GREAT NEWS! The company is pulling the product! Hopefully they can just put a cage around the trap so bats, birds, non-target wildlife don't get stuck on it.



"After careful consideration, we have decided to immediately stop selling the TrapStik for Wasps and are directing our retailers to remove this product from their shelves.
Earlier this week, a Canadian customer and her family discovered that the TrapStik in use outside their home had attracted a number of small birds who became stuck to its surface and died in the struggle to free themselves.
As an environmentally conscious company focused on providing effective, reliable and natural insect control solutions, we were deeply saddened to hear about this unfortunate situation. While it is a rare occurrence with this product, our corporate leaders immediately convened and made the difficult decision to pull TrapStik for Wasps from stores.
We are currently working on ways to make this product safer for use around wildlife while maintaining its efficacy at catching insects. Our product engineers are investigating improvements to the TrapStik design so that the aforementioned incident does not happen again. We will not re-introduce this product into the market until we can ensure its safety for birds and other wildlife.
Media Contact:
Stephanie Cates
Director of Marketing
RESCUE!® Pest Control Products
stephanie@rescue.com"

07/21/2017 US Fish & Wildlife Services got back to us about our complaint. This is their response,


"Dear Animal Advocates, 
Thank you for your inquiry alerting us about the marketing of a product to trap wasps that traps migratory bird as well.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission is, working with others, to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

Essentially all nesting birds native to the United States are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Therefore, unless specifically authorized by a permit, it is unlawful to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, possess, sell, barter, purchase, ship, export, or import any MBTA-listed species, or any part, nest, or egg of an MBTA-listed species. 

This information will be forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement office for review.  Please understand that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, only employs 238 special agents throughout the entire United States, who conduct law enforcement investigations that may include activities such as surveillance, undercover work, making arrests, and preparing cases for court.       

That said, please continue to bring these matters to our attention.  Additional information from concerned members of the public, such as yourself, can only help us in our efforts.       
                
Thank you for your interest in our regulations that help protect fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats.  Please feel free to respond to this message with any further inquiries that you may have regarding this matter."

Response from Canadian Agency which enforces the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in Canada,

"Good afternoon Animal Advocates,
Thank you for contacting Environment and Climate change Canada's Public Inquiries Centre.
We acknowledge receipt of your email. Please note that our Canadian Wildlife Service staff are aware of this situation and are looking at ways to address it in the near future.
Thank you for your concerns."

UPDATE: 07/18/2017 The seven chickadees all died. They were alive when the woman's son found them. She should have taken them to a wildlife rehabilitator. At the very least she could have removed them herself following many online instructions. 

The company admitted that birds can become stuck to the trap. They need to recall all of their related sticky traps. Chickadees are federally protected birds in Canada and the US. There is a fine and jail time for harming or killing them. We'll be reporting the company. We will have to include the name of the person who used the trap Jessie Wall, from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Below is one of the many articles which came out today about this incident. The birds are clearly alive in the photos.


Here is a link to the Canadian enforcement arm for the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
http://www.ec.gc.ca/nature/default.asp?lang=En&n=7CEBB77D-1


They look like Paridae Poecile atricapillus Black-capped Chickadee which are protected.

Below is the complaint we sent to ec.enviroinfo.ec@canada.ca,
fws_tips@fws.gov


Jessie Wall, from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada purchased a TrapStick wasp trap in Canada. The product is made by https://www.rescue.com/ Sterling International, Inc., 3808 N. Sullivan Road, Building 16, Spokane, WA 99216-1630, Toll-free: 1-800-666-6766. We are reporting the company to US officials  as well.

 Per the story, interview and photos in the link below seven Paridae Poecile atricapillus Black-capped Chickadees which are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act were killed by the trap. A company representative in the interview stated that birds can become stuck to the trap. 

 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/trapstik-birds-dead-1.4209052

 We want to report the company and person for illegal take of protected birds. The woman stated the birds were alive and fighting each other when she found them. She should have taken the birds to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator to remove them from the traps. Instead she let them die.

 We want to report the company for selling a product which they know can kill protected birds. We'd like to ask you to not allow these traps to be sold in Canada and the US. They easily trap non-target protected wildlife when used according to the label. According to the many reviews online thousands of protected animals have been killed by proper use of the traps. 

 We are licensed wildlife rehabilitators. We've had to remove many animals from these sticky wasp traps and glue traps for rodents. 
If there is a specific form we need to fill out and send, please, let us know. Thanks for protecting migratory birds in the US and Canada.

 Animal Advocates


Phoenix Pike added 4 new photos.
11 hrs
My heart hurts. ðŸ˜¥ We bought a wasp trap from Real Canadian Superstore recently as we were noticing a lot of wasps in our backyard. We often have little children playing there so we thought that a trap would help. Sadly unbeknownst to us it trapped 7 tiny birds as well. It is SUPER sticky. We contacted the retailer but unfortunately they cannot remove the product or even post a warning for people. They have a commitment/contract with the distributor. They have noted it with their Head Office. Be warned.

The instructions on the product are faulty. You cannot put it anywhere. You can't allow non-target wildlife to access it. That makes the product unable to use outside. It attracts insects. Those insects get stuck on it and birds who eat insects get stuck on the trap. They made these traps too sticky. They should have used less sticky glue such as the ones on fly strips. Even then fly strips kill non-target animals. They sell this in the US at WalMart and many other stores.

Below are the instructions on the product.

"Protect your yard with the Sterling Intl. TSW-BB6 TrapStik Wasp Trap. This pest control accessory uses VisiLure technology to lure wasps, carpenter bees and mud daubers inside where they then become trapped. Trapstik for wasps can be placed anywhere outside in the garden, patio area, pool side or nearby a nest to help reduce populations.

Rescue Trapstik for Wasps:
Trap is odor-free
Pesticide-free
Catches queens and workers, from spring through fall
Adhesive holds up in hot weather
Can be placed near a nest to reduce populations, making it safer to spray
Directions:
Instructions: Trapstik for wasps can be placed anywhere outside in the garden, patio area, pool side or nearby a nest to help reduce populations."

Our previous article about the evils of glue traps. Also instructions on how to remove animals stuck in glue sticky traps.

Here is the company's website. https://www.rescue.com/

Sterling International, Inc.
3808 N. Sullivan Road, Building 16
Spokane, WA 99216-1630

Toll-free: 1-800-666-6766

Here are the instructions. It says don't place it anywhere where children, pets or birds can come in contact with it. That's ridiculous. You'd have to only place it indoors for birds not to be able to contact it. The company knows damn well it will attracts birds that eat insects outdoors.

https://www.rescue.com/core/files/rescue/products/87b9bb4a47ec7837eda10c7d1dd342d9.pdf

https://www.facebook.com/notes/animal-advocates/how-to-remove-an-animal-stuck-in-a-glue-trap-animal-advocates/10153595439528199/

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
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Thursday, July 13, 2017

Old opossum gets a cat bed of his own - Animal Advocates, Los Angeles, California

Old opossum gets cat bed of his own, Animal Adocates, Los Angeles, California, wildlife rehabilitator rehabilitation rescue possum, Mary Cummins, www.animaladvocates.us
A woman called us stating there’s a big, possibly sick opossum in her outdoor cat bed. She was frightened so she wanted me to remove him. I arrived at her house and sure enough there is a big, old opossum curled up in a ball in her comfy cat bed. He was very big yet thin which means he’s an old man opossum nearing the end of his life.  Sadly they only live about three years and he was definitely already three.

I picked him up and he didn’t even struggle. I put him into a crate to bring him back to our wildlife rehabilitation facility and sanctuary. Here he is in the crate after the ride home. He never snarled, growled or snapped at me ever.

Old opossum gets cat bed of his own, Animal Adocates, Los Angeles, California, wildlife rehabilitator rehabilitation rescue possum, Mary Cummins, www.animaladvocates.us
I wiped him down, put flea meds on him then gave him some wormer medication. When I examined him he was clearly a male but he seemed to have lost his testicles in an accident a while ago. It was probably the infamous opossum stuck on a fence accident. If you Google it, it’s kinda graphic. I put him in an outdoor enclosure and he took a look around. Even though he was thin and underweight he still weighed 18 lbs. Opossums continue to grow larger and larger until they die.

Old opossum gets cat bed of his own, Animal Adocates, Los Angeles, California, wildlife rehabilitator rehabilitation rescue possum, Mary Cummins, www.animaladvocates.us
Here he is yawning. He ground down most of his teeth and lost most of the rest. His canines are really worn down. He’s clearly super old.

Old opossum gets cat bed of his own, Animal Adocates, Los Angeles, California, wildlife rehabilitator rehabilitation rescue possum, Mary Cummins, www.animaladvocates.us
Here he is a day or two later when I was able to wipe him down better. He’s cleaner but still needs to gain some weight. He was very weak in the rear. With other un-releasable opossums we have them on exercise wheels so they don’t get weak in the rear until much later. This guy was beyond that.

Old opossum gets cat bed of his own, Animal Adocates, Los Angeles, California, wildlife rehabilitator rehabilitation rescue possum, Mary Cummins, www.animaladvocates.us
Because he was so old we decided to let him live out the rest of his life in our sanctuary. We even gave him a cat bed of his own. I threw a towel over it so I wouldn’t have to clean the bed as much. Here he is happily sleeping in his own comfy cat bed in his nest box in his outdoor enclosure.

Old opossum gets cat bed of his own, Animal Adocates, Los Angeles, California, wildlife rehabilitator rehabilitation rescue possum, Mary Cummins, www.animaladvocates.us
He lived two more months with us. We found him curled up in his bed just like the photo above. He was able to pass away in a warm, safe place with good food and care in a cat bed of his own. Below is a pic of his paw in my hand.

Old opossum gets cat bed of his own, Animal Adocates, Los Angeles, California, wildlife rehabilitator rehabilitation rescue possum, Mary Cummins, www.animaladvocates.us 
If you liked this rescue story, we’d love a donation to help other ill, injured and orphaned wildlife in Los Angeles, California. We rescue coyotes, bobcats, foxes, raccoons, skunks, opossums, squirrels, moles, voles, gophers....and bats. We’re the only permitted facility in the City of Los Angeles.  Link to our website and PayPal account. Thanks! http://www.animaladvocates.us

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
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Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Los Angeles County increases dog limit from three to four - Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors increases dog limit from three to four, janice hahn, kathryn barger, sheila kuehl, mark ridley-thomas, hilda solis, mary cummins, animals, motion, approved, lift limit, increase number of dogs
     Yesterday the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to increase the dog limit per household from three to four. San Diego and San Bernardino also provide a similar four-dog ordinance. Here is the motion.  Text of the motion is below. This affects all people living in unincorporated cities in Los Angeles County. Those who want to have four or more dogs must be licensed as an animal facility, such as a groomer, kennel or pet shop. The permit application can be found at Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control. 
     The City of Los Angeles which in the physical county of Los Angeles is an incorporated City so the limit is still three. Here is the list of unincorporated cities in LA County. Here is a list of the incorporated cities in LA County.  
     Animal Advocates sent the County's motion to all Los Angeles City Council members to ask them to make and/or second the same motion for the City.

AGN. NO.           
MOTION BY SUPERVISORS HILDA L. SOLIS
AND KATHRYN BARGER                                                                                     July 11, 2017
Increasing County Dog Limit
Currently the County of Los Angeles has a three dog limit for households in unincorporated areas. In order to have four dogs or more one must be licensed as an animal facility, most commonly used for groomers, kennels or pet shops. Responsible pet owners who properly register their pets and abide by the residential dog limit are restricted from the opportunity to adopt an additional pet. With so many dogs available in Los Angeles County shelters, individuals who wish to add to their family by adopting an additional dog should be given the opportunity. Other counties in the State also provide a similar four-dog ordinance including San Diego County and San Bernardino County.   This partnership between our Animal Care facilities and engaged community members is vital to our ability to care for the animals in the County, and this is a step to further that relationship.
            WE, THEREFORE MOVE that the Board direct the County Counsel and the Director of Animal Care and Control to prepare a draft ordinance that amends Los Angeles County Code Section 10.20.038 to increase the number of dogs allowed in a single family residence without requiring an animal facility license from three to four.


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SUP:HLS/mm

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
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Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Animal Activist, Writer, Singer, Producer Bill Dyer passes away at 83 in Los Angeles, California

Bill Dyer, William Dewitt Dyer, 1934 - 2017, RIP, obituary, biography, memorial, remembered, Los Angeles, California, In Defense of Animals, Last Chance for Animals
Bill Dyer, William Dewitt Dyer, was born March 21, 1934 in San Diego County, California, USA. He passed away today, July 11, 2017 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA. He was 83.

Bill's parents were Andrew Dewitt Dyer (1896 - 1991) and Lucille Ameijeiras Dyer (1910 - 1991). He had a sister Grace Elizabeth Dyer Bower (1933 - 2015). He is predeceased by his parents, sister, brother in law. He is survived by thousands of friends.

Bill was an actor, singer, writer, lyricist and producer in New York and California. He was also an animal activist for In Defense of Animals. He attended Grossmont High School, Helix High School and San Diego State University all in California. He received three Emmy nominations for "Diana Ross, The Big Event" and "Ziegfeld, The Man and his Woman." He wrote two plays "The Fellowship" and "All This, and Heaven Too (Trolls)." He produced the plays "The Suicide" on Broadway and "Get Happy" at the Westwood Playhouse. He also produced movies of the week, television series Diana Ross specials, Mitzi Gaynor specials, The Tony Awards, The Family Holvak, The Greatest Gift, Dorothy, Many Miles to Morning, Columbo, Mac Davis and John Denver. He produced concerts for Melissa Manchester, Ben Vereen, Lorna Luft, Diana Ross, Mitzi Gaynor and Pamela Myers.

Here's a great video of his life. First time I've seen it.



Bill Dyer became an Animal Activist in 1980. I spoke with him at animal services commission meetings, zoo commission meetings, Los Angeles City Council, public safety, Beverly Hills City Council, press conferences about Fur Free WeHo, the senseless killing of the young mountain lion in Santa Monica... Bill was everywhere helping cats, dogs, ground squirrels, bunnies, elephants, mountain lions, circus animals, zoo animals, animals for consumption, Kapparot... I remember my first Kapparot protest in 2006. He said he did that for years and they kept killing the chickens so he gave up. I tried for a few years as well then I got burned out. Finally a Jewish Rabbi and a few other groups got together and now fewer Temples are killing chickens in the LA. Progress. Maybe by the time I die they won't be killing chickens for Kapparot.

Bill Dyer, William Dewitt Dyer, 1934 - 2017, RIP, obituary, biography, memorial, remembered, Los Angeles, California, In Defense of Animals, Last Chance for Animals

Bill Dyer, William Dewitt Dyer, 1934 - 2017, RIP, obituary, biography, memorial, remembered, Los Angeles, California, In Defense of Animals, Last Chance for Animals

Bill Dyer, William Dewitt Dyer, 1934 - 2017, RIP, obituary, biography, memorial, remembered, Los Angeles, California, In Defense of Animals, Last Chance for Animals

Bill Dyer, William Dewitt Dyer, 1934 - 2017, RIP, obituary, biography, memorial, remembered, Los Angeles, California, In Defense of Animals, Last Chance for Animals

Bill Dyer, William Dewitt Dyer, 1934 - 2017, RIP, obituary, biography, memorial, remembered, Los Angeles, California, In Defense of Animals, Last Chance for Animals

Bill Dyer, William Dewitt Dyer, 1934 - 2017, RIP, obituary, biography, memorial, remembered, Los Angeles, California, In Defense of Animals, Last Chance for Animals

Bill Dyer, William Dewitt Dyer, 1934 - 2017, RIP, obituary, biography, memorial, remembered, Los Angeles, California, In Defense of Animals, Last Chance for Animals
Another great video.



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
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