Mary Cummins Animal Advocates Los Angeles California Wildlife Rehabilitation Real Estate

Mary Cummins Animal Advocates Los Angeles California Wildlife Rehabilitation Real Estate
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Showing posts with label mary cummins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mary cummins. Show all posts

Friday, March 15, 2024

Animal Tracks Wildlife Sanctuary Provides Wildlife, Exotic Animal Education, Exhibit in Los Angeles, California

stacy gunderson, mary cummins,animal advocates, los angeles, california, animal tracks, wildlife rescue, exhibit, wildlife rehabilitation, exotic, animal, los angeles, california
stacy gunderson, mary cummins,animal advocates, los angeles, california, animal tracks, wildlife rescue, exhibit, wildlife rehabilitation, exotic, animal, los angeles, california
Animal Tracks Inc in Aqua Dulce, Los Angeles, California provides wildlife, exotic and domestic animal education and exhibit. They offer private and group tours at their facility. They are a 501 3c nonprofit organization that's licensed with USDA and Fish & Wildlife. 

The Executive Director is Stacy Gunderson. "Stacy grew up in Simi Valley, California and has always been inspired by the Primatologist, Jane Goodall. She attended The Exotic Animal Training & Management Program (EATM) at Moorpark College and graduated in 1989. Stacy went right to work as a movie animal trainer and had the amazing opportunity to travel the world making movies with the animals she loved. In 2008, Stacy was given the opportunity to take over as Director of Animal Tracks, a 501(c)3 Nonprofit near and dear to her heart, as it had been started in 2002 by a friend. Stacy is the mother of two children, now young adults, but Animal Tracks became a third child, a true labor of love that she helped grow and nurture into the successful facility it is now. She is still excited to go to work every single day. Her main hope is that people will realize that animals that need to be in captivity can live a quality, happy life. They can share their beauty and inspire humans to take care of this planet and all that reside on it. Animal Tracks is woven into the fabric of her family’s lives, and Stacy hopes it will continue to be a huge part of the Gunderson tradition for generations to come."

They have the following animals and many more: armadillo, baboon, african crested porpupine, macaque, capuchin, cockatoo, donkeys, emus, fennec fox, ferret, groundhog, hedgehob, kankaroo, kinkaju, marmoset, opossum, raccoon, pig, patagonian mara, red fox, serval, scorpion, skunk, squirrel monkey, sugar glider, wolf, coyote hybrid, wolf hybrid and more.

Below are a few photos from our recent visit in 2024.We highly recommend them for a great immersive educational experience with live animals.

















Find them on Instagram @animaltracksinc 
https://www.instagram.com/animaltracksinc



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

Friday, March 8, 2024

International Women's Day from Animal Advocates, Mary Cummins in Los Angeles, California



Today is International Women's Day! This year's theme is "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress." Did you know that as of 2024 89% of wildlife rehabilitators in the United States are women? Most animal rescuers in general are women.

Our founder Mary Cummins was inspired by her Mexican American grandmother Maria Rivera who raised her. Maria Rivera was an animal rescuer and a vegetarian. She instilled in her granddaughter the desire to help all creatures in need. Cummins' first animal rescues of a bunny, squirrel and deer were with her grandmother. 

Today we honor women and especially those in animal rescue and care. Thank you, women, for spending countless hours rescuing and caring for animals around the clock. Thank you for educating the public about animal and wildlife issues. And thank you for helping out, investing in and donating to animal care organizations to accelerate progress for animals. 

In loving memory of our great women volunteers Mari Shepard, Janet Adams and Julie Murray. #internationalwomensday #internationalwomensday2024 #AnimalAdvocates #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #losangeles #california #animalrescue

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.


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Sunday, February 25, 2024

Oppose Virginia Bill HB 1354 Unless Amended - Current Amendment is Harmful to All - Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates

OPPOSITION TO VIRGINIA BILL 1354 UNLESS AMENDED

to DelMMartinez, delishin, delhseibold, senatorroem, senatorstanley, senatorboysko, senatorperry, senatorsubramanyam, senatormarsden, senatorfavola, senatorfrench, senatorhackworth, senatorhashmi, senatormulchi, senatorobenshain, senatorpekarsky, senatorsalim, senatorstuart, senatorsuetterlein, senatorwilliamsgraves, info@pawproject, Info@animaladvocates

Animal Advocates has been involved with anti cat declaw for over 20 years. We've worked with The Paw Project during that time to educate the public about how harmful declawing a cat is for humans, animal shelters, veterinarians and cats. The current version is misguided and not based on facts or science, see below. Please, oppose or amend bill HB 1354.

"The current version of the bill, as a result of amendments from the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, allow any cat to be declawed if the cat’s owner obtains a note from a physician stating that scratches from the cat would pose a health risk for the owner. The bill would reinforce the false idea among human medical doctors that cat scratches are a legitimate human health concern and reason for declawing.

In should be noted that NO human health authority recommends declawing to protect human health. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) have gone on record saying that declawing cats is not advised to protect human health. Neither the National Hemophilia Foundation nor the American Cancer Society recommend declawing to protect human patients. The American Association of Feline Practitioners, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association agree and cite these human health authority opinions.

This bill would make physicians unwitting collaborators in giving credibility to the premise that declawing can benefit human health. Between uninformed doctors and doctors willing to sign anything to get annoying patients out of their offices quickly, there will still be a loophole. It would also constitute a liability risk to the physicians (and veterinarians) since declawed cats have been proven more likely to bite than non-declawed cats, and bites are a more serious health concern than scratches.

Veterinarians who don't want to declaw will feel pressured by clients who come to their offices with a doctor's note. Veterinarians will find it difficult to say no to a physician’s prescription. Real bans, like the ones in New York and Maryland, help veterinarians who don't want the stress of arguing with a client about declawing. The veterinary profession has a high suicide rate, and this added stress is the kind of thing that contributes to it."

--
Mary Cummins
President
Animal Advocates
www.AnimalAdvocates.us
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.


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

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Overgrown Embedded Roller Blade Claws in Cats, Felines by Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates

overgrown claws, embedded claws, rollerblade claws, nails, cat, feline,mary cummins, animal advocates, veterinarian, paws, dew claw, claws, claw, nail
overgrown claws, embedded claws, rollerblade claws, nails, cat, feline,mary cummins, animal advocates, veterinarian, paws, dew claw, claws, claw, nail, how to trim
Cats claws or nails grow continually during their lives just like our finger and toe nails. We trim our nails with nail clippers or files. Cats in the wild will scratch on trees to keep their nails in check. Indoor cats will scratch on rugs, cat trees or the sofa to keep their nails in check. 

Our nails grow continually in a single layered nail. Cats nails grow differently with multiple layers and sheaths. The outer layer or sheath is generally shed when they scratch on cat trees. You will find nail sheaths stuck on the cat tree or around the base. They look like the below photo, like splintered bits of nails or may even look like an entire nail. 

If cats are older, sick, disabled, have arthritis, they sometimes stop using cat trees. The sheaths are not removed and build it. As the nail continues to grow the full nail will curl around and embed into the paws or legs if it's a dew claw. Dew claws are the most likely to be overgrown. The front claws grow faster and longer than the rear claws. Front claws are more likely to be overgrown. Below are photos of embedded claws, nails. First three are front dew claws. All of these cats were very old and not scratching on anything because of their age.

overgrown claws, embedded claws, rollerblade claws, nails, cat, feline,mary cummins, animal advocates, veterinarian, paws, dew claw, claws, claw, nail

overgrown claws, embedded claws, rollerblade claws, nails, cat, feline,mary cummins, animal advocates, veterinarian, paws, dew claw, claws, claw, nail

overgrown claws, embedded claws, rollerblade claws, nails, cat, feline,mary cummins, animal advocates, veterinarian, paws, dew claw, claws, claw, nail



If your cat has embedded claws, see a veterinarian. If you are a veterinarian or vet technician, you can trim them yourself. First time I saw this I took the cat to the vet. He forgot to trim them. I realized this when I got him and he told me to trim them myself which I did. Still, we are not veterinarians and are not giving veterinary advice. If your cat was declawed and claws regrew under the skin and maybe poke out a little, see a cat declaw repair, claw specialist veterinarian only. Never try to trim or remove those as they must be removed by surgery after xrays. It's not just the claw growing under there but the leftover amputated bone, nail and nail cells. There's generally also lots of infection and scar tissue which must also be removed. Contact thepawproject.com for declaw repair specialists.

Make sure you never trim into the quick which is the pink area which is the blood supply to the nail bed. It will cause pain, bleeding and your cat will never allow you to trim their nails again. We trim an area away from the nail bed and away from the quick closer to where the natural nail tip end would be. We also trim within 1/8 " from where the nail is entering the paw pad or skin. See photo below. Remove that little section which generally falls off. Then we slowly remove the embedded section gently in a curved motion similar to the opposite direction in which it grew into the paw. If it doesn't come out super easy, if it bleeds, if it hurts the cat, let an experienced cat claw vet do it. It should just fall out. 



After you've removed the embedded part go back and trim the nail to the proper length making sure you don't clip the quick. If you can't see the quick because of sheath overgrowth making it too thick, you can use tweezers to gently pull off the dead outer layers of nail sheaths. Below are photos of some removed embedded and overgrown nails. The top ones were more deeply embedded. They just fell out of the paw when the first section, arc was removed. The force of the nail is what's keeping them in the skin. They did not bleed at all.


In order to prevent embedded claws trim your older cats nails once a month or so. At least check the nails once a month. Always provide cat scratching trees, mats, toys. 






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.


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Sunday, January 7, 2024

Number of California Mountain Lions Only 3,200-4,500 by Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates

Photo from Wikipedia

I've written extensively about the dwindling number of mountain lions in California especially in Southern California. Most of the mountain lions who die in Southern California die because of humans. They are mainly killed being hit by cars, poisoned with rat poison or with depredation permits. 

When asked about the number of mountain lions in California the California Department of Fish & Wildlife generally says they have no idea how many exist. They never really tried to find out because they knew their numbers were decreasing rapidly. They allegedly told some the number "could be" about 6,000. 

I had estimated the number was closer to 4,000 in an article I wrote about depredation permits.  I stated "the California Department of Fish & Wildlife gave depredation permits to people in California who killed 1,702 mountain lions from 2001 to 2018" based on the results of State Information Act Requests which I made. Depredation permits are given to people who have had pets or livestock killed by mountain lions. The permits allow them to shoot and kill the mountain lion whom they think killed their animals. Every time pets or livestock are killed it's because they weren't properly protected by their owners.

Today the LA Times had an article about a recent study which is not final or published about the actual number of mountain lions in the state. The study found there could be 3,200-4,500 mountain lions in the state with most in Northern California. My estimate was right in the middle even though Fish & Wildlife told me it was "way too low." I even asked people who were directly involved in this study if they knew how many mountain lions existed. They said they had no idea but my number was too low. I actually have that on video. From the article,

"The total number of mountain lions is estimated to be between 3,200 and 4,500, which is thousands fewer than previously thought. The count was conducted by state and university scientists who used GPS collar data and genetic information from scat samples to model population densities across the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Mojave Desert and Southern California’s patchwork of weedy, fire-stripped wilderness.

“The greatest density is in the coastal forests of Humboldt and Mendocino counties of Northwest California, and lowest is the high desert east of the Sierra Nevada range in Inyo County,” said Justin Dellinger, a large-carnivore biologist and leader of the California Mountain Lion Project effort. “The Central Valley and portions of the Mojave Desert have no mountain lions.”

"The California Department of Fish and Wildlife had for decades estimated that the state’s mountain lion population was roughly 6,000 — even despite relentless vehicle strikes, wildfires and encroachment by land-hungry humans throughout their range.

“That old figure was just a back-of-the-envelope calculation without much data to support it,” Dellinger said. “The new, more accurate information we collected will be used to conserve and manage mountain lions more appropriately.”

In a collaborative effort involving the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, the nonprofit Institute for Wildlife Studies and the nonprofit Audubon Canyon Ranch, Dellinger and others traipsed through mountain forests, canyons and desert badlands in search of tracks. They also set trail cameras and traps, tranquilized lions, took biological samples and fitted animals with tracking collars.

Dellinger said the group spent roughly $2.45 million in state funds over seven years to produce three population estimates: One suggests there are 4,511 cougars living in California, and the other two suggest the number is roughly 3,200. Deciding which figure is most precise will be challenging for biologists tasked with reviewing the census report."

"There’s an almost 1 in 4 chance that the charismatic cats could be extinct in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana Mountains within 50 years."

Clearly something must be done now or our native mountain lion will become extinct. I'm sure they calculated the birth rate, cub/kitten survival rate to age of maturity/breeding and death rate by various causes including depredation permits to make this estimate. I'd love to see the math but will have to wait until the research is reviewed then published. I will assume it's correct based on my knowledge of the experience and expertise of Dr. T Winston Vickers, UC Davis and the other organizations involved.

As I stated in my previous articles the main things we must do to save native mountain lions in order are the following.

1. Do not give any depredation permits for mountain lions. People must secure their livestock and pets. If a mountain lion doesn't kill and eat the livestock or pet dog, a coyote will. Fish & Wildlife said they don't want to give the permits. Ask the California legislature or the Fish & Game Commission to change the regulations that makes it mandatory for the Department to give depredation permits. They should only give permits if one specific mountain lion is a definite threat to humans based on facts and physical evidence.

2. Stop allowing the use of anticoagulant bait poison outdoors. Non-target wildlife are eating the poison directly or they are being poisoned secondarily by eating animals which ate the poison. Mountain lions will eat slower sick animals more often because they're easier to catch. They primarily eat the organ meat which is where the poison is stored in the liver. Mountain lions eat coyotes, raccoons who are also poisoned secondarily. Mountain lions eat ground squirrels, gophers directly who eat the poison directly. They really need to find a different safer method of controlling ground squirrels, gophers on golf courses, soccer fields and landscape areas. They have to put the poison in bait stations which only allow the target animal. Maybe there can be trap doors in the bait stations that dump the animal in a bucket where it can at least be killed humanely and quickly. Poison is a slow painful death.

3. Allow the maintenance of existing open space. Limit development and plan any development with native wildlife in mind. Don't plan new freeways with blind curves. Research has shown us mountain lions are more likely to be hit by cars on curved roads with limited visibility. If mountain lions must pass through a dangerous area, guide and funnel them to safer areas with hardscape and landscape. They are incorporating some of this in the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing. Development also limits population ranges which isolates mountain lions causing inbreeding and genetic degradation issues.

I'm glad someone finally did a study about the actual number of mountain lions in California. Maybe this will help conserve this important keystone species. We need mountain lions to help control the deer population. If the deer population gets out of control, it can be detrimental to our ecosystem and environment. This is especially so because we killed off all our native wolves over 100 years ago. Only recently have a few migrated from other states into California. Reintroducing wolves in certain areas in some states has restored ecosystems. I hope we don't get to the point where we have to reintroduce mountain lions to California. 

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

Monday, January 1, 2024

The Undetectables on Discovery Channel featuring Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates


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mary cummins, the undetectables, discovery channel, saving dad, animal advocates, squirrel, los angeles, california, tv, series, animal planet, film oasis


Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates was on the fourth episode of Discovery Channel's "The Unetectables." Cummins educated the public about squirrels and why they should not be kept as pets. July 27, 2005.

THE UNDETECTABLES

“We’re here to save you from your home”

THE UNDETECTABLES – Premieres on Discovery Channel
The Real Animal House, Monday, July 25 at 4:00 PM ET/PT
Little House of Horrors, Tuesday, July 26 at 4:00 PM ET/PT
Saving Dad, Wednesday, July 27 at 4:00 PM ET/PT
Superheroes of the Gross, Thursday, July 28 at 4:00 PM ET/PT

Visit the Undetectables website for more info!

Every home has a secret. Under the floors, behind the bedroom walls, there is an alien place, populated by millions of creatures–some bizarre… some disgusting… some downright lethal! Welcome to the world of Discovery Channel’s new limited series, THE UNDETECTABLES, premiering March 1 at 8:00 PM ET/PT. In four fast-paced episodes, airing Tuesdays throughout the month, the ground-breaking program uncovers the microscopic and unseen world–everything you were afraid to find out that lives in your home–from germs to bacteria, from salmonella to toxic mold… not to mention the bugs.

Half reality show, half “Fantastic Voyage,” the series employs a dynamic SWAT team for the invisible world – five experts who are charged with seeking out the dangers of a microbial realm that exists right inside our homes. They’ve been called “the Superheroes of the Gross”: PJ Aspuria, the microbiologist; Steve Sandalis, the contractor; Dr. Marc Reidl, specialist in allergens and immunology; Chris Hardie, pest expert; and mold specialist Rich Valdez. Swabbing and testing every room and surface, they use the latest in high-tech gadgetry–from thermal scanners, to the Crimescope forensic light… plus the unparalleled computer graphics of Zoic Studios (the company that creates the special effects for the hit series CSI: Miami).

Investigating from the basement to the rafters, the high-energy experts give home invasions a whole new meaning… From a 100-year-old Arts-and-Crafts Bungalow to a college frat house, THE UNDETECTABLES reveal to the unsuspecting residents the home they never dreamed was there – their real home. Did you know…

That there are 200 times more fecal bacteria on the average person’s cutting board than their toilet seat. In many case, they’d do better to make their sandwiches on top of the toilet seat.
Dust in our homes can be made of up to 80% dust mites- microscopic creatures that feed on the more than one million skin cells we shed each hour.
That every time you flush the toilet, it’s an eruption of microbes… sending a shower of microscopic particles up to 20 feet away… and coating the entire bathroom…
THE UNDETECTABLES… more than just a reality show… a hyper-reality show… bringing to life a world most people didn’t even realize was there….

Produced for Discovery Channel by FilmOasis, Inc. in association with Uncle Film+TV. The program’s executive producers are James McQuillan, Robert Goldberg and Eric Bonniot. For Discovery Channel, Tomi Landis is executive producer.

Here’s a sample episode but not my episode. I was on the episode “Saving Dad,” Wednesday, July 27 at 4:00 PM ET/PT. Dad had leukemia. He had a wife and kids. Their house needed repairs because of his weakened immune system. I was there as a squirrel expert.

The Unetectables Experts



Stills from the episode







THE UNDETECTABLES

"We're here to save you from your home"

Saving Dad

Wayne Smith wants to come home, but he can't... yet...

Wayne, the father of four, was recently diagnosed with leukemia.

That's why the Smiths called in THE UNDETECTABLES. For someone with a compromised immune system, any bacterial infection can be life-threatening.

After days of chemotherapy, Wayne is scheduled to return home from the hospital soon, but what will he find there? From campylobacter in the water to salmonella in the food to mold spores on the ceiling--all can be dangerous, even deadly. And Wayne and Sally Smith's house is always overflowing with activity. It's packed with four teenagers, four cats, a snake, and a domesticated squirrel called Chip, who loves chocolate. On top of all that, the roof is falling apart, and flocks of birds are nesting in the attic. Wayne and his family clearly need the help of THE UNDETECTABLES.

For the Smith family, the stakes couldn't be higher...

Says Sally Smith: "Wayne has no immune system right now. Basically, if he gets a cold or even if he gets a cough - - it's his body that's dangerous to him. 'Cause we're fighting things constantly in our body that his body can't fight off now, because there's no immunities. So, and yeah there's things in here that he's breathing that like you or I would get the sniffles or something. It could potentially put him in the hospital."

For THE UNDETECTABLES, it would be a challenge unlike any other. Says Dr. Marc Reidl, team allergist and immunologist: "The stakes are definitely high. We want to do everything we can to help Wayne. We've got to get in there and find out if there's anything that might be a threat to him."

Over an intense, week-long investigation, the team would subject the house to an eye-popping variety of tests... from infra-red thermal scanning to air sampling to microbiological analysis.

And as the test results came back, there was some alarming news...

It would definitely turn out to be a job for THE UNDETECTABLES...

http://web.archive.org/web/20080219064504/http://www.theundetectables.com/episodes/104.html

Episode Four - Saving Dad

FOREVER PETS, INC.

HOLMES GROUP

TOTAL ROOFING, INC.

VIKING INSULATION

CALIFORNIA CAGE WORKS

Wildlife rehab services provided by MARY CUMMINS

104— Saving Dad. A life-changing event has brought THE UNDETECTABLES to the Smith home. Sally's Smith's husband Wayne has been diagnosed with cancer. The chemotherapy treatments for his leukemia is destroying his immune system. Any bacterial infection, even the common cold, could be life-threatening. From campylobacter in the water to salmonella in the food to mold spores on the ceiling--all can be dangerous, even deadly. Wayne is scheduled to return home from the hospital soon, but the Smith house is potential minefield. In a home packed with four teenagers, four cats, a snake, and a domesticated squirrel called Chip—not to mention a roof that's falling apart with birds nesting in the attic--Wayne and his family clearly need help. THE UNDETECTABLES have to find out what's plaguing the Smiths' house and make it safe for Wayne's return.

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


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

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Los Angeles City Bans Rodeo, Charreria events 20-1575 in City by Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates

mary cummins, animal advocates, charreria, rodeo, rodeo ban, los angeles, california, animal cruelty, spain, mexico, ranchero, horses, abuse, death, charro
mary cummins, animal advocates, charreria, rodeo, rodeo ban, los angeles, california, animal cruelty, spain, mexico, ranchero, horses, abuse, death, charro, 20-1575, rodeo events, inhumane implements, electric prods, shocking devices, bucking straps, spurs, Photo: Wikipedia


FTR I'm Latina. My family is from Mexico. Family name is Rivera Baz. We had a ranch in Mexico and the US. I rode horses growing up. I went to American rodeos. I speak Spanish. I'm a citizen and registered voter of Los Angeles, California, USA. I was born in Los Angeles. I also went through the Police Academy, Humane Academy to become a Humane Officer to enforce animal cruelty regulations in California. That said I'm against certain specific cruel rodeo, charreria events because they are animal abuse. They cause senseless stress, injury and death to animals and people including children. Most rodeo events are animal cruelty and a violation of California penal code 597. The code is mentioned in the motion. Just to be clear the city wants to ban specific acts of animal abuse. They are not outright banning rodeos, charreria, horseback riding or farm animal events. You can have the events. Just don't abuse animals with specific activity which they will list. No traditional or cultural events will be banned just very specific cruel acts.

UPDATE I've been doing some research. Except for upcoming Professional Bull Riders Unleash The Beast rodeo at Crypto.com arena in February 16, 17 2024 there aren't many rodeo, charreria/charreada events in Los Angeles City. The few that exist are outside of the city in other cities like Pico Rivera (charrereada events), City of Industry (Bill Pickett rodeo) or Los Angeles County. This mainly has to do with zoning and cost of land. I'll post a list of these places in the city if I can find any. I think people may be arguing over basically nothing. Very few events could be banned. Specifically only certain specific cruel behaviors involving animals would be banned. You can still do horse parades and the rest of the charreria activities like mariachi, dancing, singing and of course enjoying delicious Mexican cuisine. The city should look at the number of rodeo, charreada permits actually pulled last 20 years. I bet there are very few.

I just read this on 24-7 Animal. "One standard charreada event, horse tripping, has been banned throughout California since 1994." I think horse tripping was banned years earlier because of the movie industry. There was a lot of horse tripping in old westerns. A few actors put a stop to it calling it cruel and sometimes lethal. They could easily break their legs, backs and necks.

12/14/2023 My comment just showed up on 12/11. 

Name: Mary Cummins Animal Advocates
Date Submitted: 12/07/2023 12:26 PM
Council File No: 20-1575 
Comments for Public Posting: Mary Cummins Animal Advocates RE: Public Comment
supporting item 20-1575 Proposed Rodeo Ban. I'm a Latina
registered to vote in Los Angeles. My family is from Mexico
family name Rivera. I was born in Los Angeles. We owned a
horse ranch in Mexico and the US. I went to rodeos growing up. I
speak English and Spanish and am heavily involved in Mexican
cultural traditions and events. I'm also President of Animal
Advocates. We worked with the City of Los Angeles to get the
current wildlife policy passed in 2004. We worked with Los
Angeles County to get an amendment to allow wildlife
rehabilitation in 2006. I also went through the Police Academy
and Humane Academy to become a Humane Officer to help
enforce animal cruelty regulations. I've witnessed first hand the
cruelty of rodeos and charreada events. Animals are roped, their
necks violently yanked while they are thrown to the ground and
hog tied. Broncos and bulls violently try to throw off riders
sometimes severely injuring their necks and backs even fatally.
People chase a wild pig grabbing and throwing it violently to the
ground injuring it. Animals are traumatized, injured and
sometimes even killed. People including children are also
traumatized and injured watching and participating in these
events. Some participants are as young as only four years old.
Some children involved in "mutton busting" i.e. wild sheep riding,
have been severely injured as have been the sheep. Bull fighting
used to be legal. It was a traditional cultural event in Spain,
Mexico and Los Angeles. Today it's banned in most parts of the
world because it's violent and cruel. When they banned the actual
bull fights they maintained the rest of the event which was
mariachi singers, dancers, horses walking in unison with riders in
beautiful cultural dress, traditional food, drinks and much more.
The venues maintained their businesses and incomes and no
animals, participants or viewers were harmed. These specific
rodeo, charreria events should be banned in the city of Los
Angeles no matter who is doing them. Here is the definition of
each charreria event for those who don't know. They are the same
exact events as American, Native American rodeos.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charrer%C3%ADa No one group
should get a pass on animal cruelty. That would be
discrimination. Many cultural and traditional activities are
outlawed today for good reason such as slavery, bull fighting and
outlawed today for good reason such as slavery, bull fighting and
human sacrifice. Please, pass the ban on rodeo activity involving
animals. Thank you. Sincerely, Mary Cummins President
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdvocatesUSA
Website: http://www.AnimalAdvocates.us Twitter:
https://twitter.com/animaladvusa Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/animaladvocatesusa/

12/06/2023: Based on the unanimous motion they will ban specific rodeo events and listed the type of banned activity. Then they said charreada and other events are okay unless they include the banned activity. That means charreria events will be banned. They can do the main event but can't do any of the ten individual charreria events. Definition of charreria events is below. Charreria will be banned unless they just want to dress up and ride around on horses normally. Okay!

Current status is it goes back to City Attorney to be rewritten then will return to City Council to vote again. Latina City Council member Monica Rodriguez signed the motion. She voted yes to the motion to ban rodeo and rodeo events. That means she voted to ban charreria, see below with her signature and vote.

"MOTION
DEC 0 5 2023

I FURTHER MOVE that the City Council request the City Attorney to prepare and present an
ordinance that will amend the Los Angeles Municipal Code to:

I MOVE that the City Council receive and file City Attorney Report Number 21-0377 and the
attached draft ordinance, which were transmitted on December 22, 2021.

1. Define a Rodeo as an exhibition, performance, or competition for live public entertainment
that includes: bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling,
team roping, or other event or activity that involves physically taking down an animal, roping an
animal, or attempting to ride a bucking animal. The definition of Rodeo shall not include
equestrian and charreada events, American Indian, Native American, Indigenous Rodeo,
Mexican Charreria, and Escaramuza or any other rodeo-type events provided that the event does
not engage in any activity (sic) compremising the definition of Rodeo.

2. Prohibit any person from conducting, operating, or participating in a Rodeo as defined above
in the City of Los Angeles; and

3. Delete any existing references to a rodeo permit or rodeo permit fee."



If you want to submit a public comment, you can do so at the link below. Politely tell them your opinion of the motion. Below is my public comment.

"Mary Cummins
Animal Advocates

RE: Public Comment supporting item 20-1575 Proposed Rodeo Ban. 

I'm a Latina registered to vote in Los Angeles. My family is from Mexico family name Rivera. I was born in Los Angeles. We owned a horse ranch in Mexico and the US. I went to rodeos growing up. I speak English and Spanish and am heavily involved in Mexican cultural traditions and events. 
I'm also President of Animal Advocates. We worked with the City of Los Angeles to get the current wildlife policy passed in 2004. We worked with Los Angeles County to get an amendment to allow wildlife rehabilitation in 2006. I also went through the Police Academy and Humane Academy to become a Humane Officer to help enforce animal cruelty regulations. 

I've witnessed first hand the cruelty of rodeos and charreada events. Animals are roped, their necks violently yanked while they are thrown to the ground and hog tied. Broncos and bulls violently try to throw off riders sometimes severely injuring their necks and backs even fatally. People chase a wild pig grabbing and throwing it violently to the ground injuring it.

Animals are traumatized, injured and sometimes even killed. People including children are also traumatized and injured watching and participating in these events. Some participants are as young as only four years old. Some children involved in "mutton busting" i.e. wild sheep riding, have been severely injured as have been the sheep.

Bull fighting used to be legal. It was a traditional cultural event in Spain, Mexico and Los Angeles. Today it's banned in most parts of the world because it's violent and cruel. When they banned the actual bull fights they maintained the rest of the event which was mariachi singers, dancers, horses walking in unison with riders in beautiful cultural dress, traditional food, drinks and much more. The venues maintained their businesses and incomes and no animals, participants or viewers were harmed. 

These specific rodeo, charreria events should be banned in the city of Los Angeles no matter who is doing them. Here is the definition of each charreria event for those who don't know. They are the same exact events as American, Native American rodeos. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charrer%C3%ADa No one group should get a pass on animal cruelty. That would be discrimination. Many cultural and traditional activities are outlawed today for good reason such as slavery, bull fighting and human sacrifice. Please, pass the ban on rodeo activity involving animals. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Mary Cummins
President



CD7 Councilmember Monica Rodriguez stated this at the rally yesterday. I've met her a few times at Latino events like Dia de Muertos, El Grito... I like her a lot. She is Latina and speaks Spanish. She is being a politician in this video and trying to appease some people. Notice she clearly stated "we must protect the welfare of the animals that we all love." Rodeo events clearly harm the welfare of animals. She is involved in equine activities in Los Angeles. She just had a horse event recently. She has promoted the safety and welfare of horses by having horse health clinics and making safer horse trails. She was part of Equine Safety Month, promotes the Equine Fair, horse license and microchip cinics and equine health clinics. I follow her pages because I generally support what she does.

Below is translated from the linked video below. I did my best.

"La lucha sigues. (the fight continues) It's very important that everyone understands we're not done. What we did today was show them that we're not going to go silently.and we're gonna protect our cultural tradition and together were also gonna make sure that we protect the welfare of the animals that we all love. What were doing today is we've sent this item back to committee and we need to continue to show up to make sure that the policy that is adopted by this city council isn't punitive to any community of color that practices equine keeping and celebrate our beloved animals. I want to thank the cowboys, the charreria from Sylmar, Pico Rivera, Riverside and everyone that came out today from the 7th district. Equine keeping, this is a treasured and beloved practice for our community. We want to make sure that we protect this history for years to come. Thank you all for being here today but we need you to continue to show up and make sure. Today we fought for a seat at the table and we won. Now we gotta show up and make sure that we inform good policy making that is just as it relates to equine keeping, it ... We have to show up and be accounted for."

I noticed most speakers said they came from Mexico and aren't citizens or natives of Los Angeles or the US. They keep saying "Viva Mexico! Viva rodeo!" This motion is about rodeo in the city of Los Angeles. Most don't speak English. Most didn't engage with anti rodeo protesters because it didn't look like they understood what was being said. Instead they sang songs in Spanish. I have a feeling some commercial rodeo businesses and organizations are the ones who encouraged these non-citizens to show up. It's most likely the Professional Bull Riders tour which is supposed to happen in February 2024. They're probably workers from the businesses if not paid protesters. The city only cares about what voting citizens want in their city.  When these people realize that rodeo activities will be banned they won't be too happy. The anti-rodeo activists have been on this issue for 30 years. They go to all the meetings to speak. They are citizens of LA.

Monica Rodriguez previously stated "According to Rodriguez's office, in its current form the proposed ordinance "unfairly excludes sports like polo and dressage while applying a broad definition of rodeo that adversely affects cultural traditions." Polo and dressage can be cruel. 


The board of LA Animal Services supports the rodeo ban. "In October, the Los Angeles Board of Animal Services Commissioners unanimously recommended that the City Council pass the ban, with several members of the public and LAAS General Manager Staycee Dains speaking in strong support of the measure and no one speaking against it."

Rodeos are banned in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, and Vancouver, Canada banned them in 2006. The City Council originally asked the city attorney to draft a proposed ordinance in early 2021, modeling it after a 1992 ordinance enacted in Pittsburgh that Los Angeles officials say has worked well in its 30 years of enforcement.

"Rodeos often use a number of inhumane implements to encourage aggressive behavior in animals to produce an entertainment product. Animals suffer significant injuries during common rodeo events such as bull and bronco riding, steer wrestling and calf roping," the City Council motion stated. "Many animals are put down as a result of injuries sustained during these events. It is time for our city to act in the interest of animal welfare on this issue as it has in the past for other issues."

Pasadena banned the display of wild or exotic animals on public property in 2015, a law that applied to circuses and rodeos. Irvine banned rodeos in 2011, and Laguna Woods and Chino Hills have also banned them.

Other cities and counties including Alameda County in Northern California and Clark County in Nevada have passed more narrow prohibitions on specific rodeo activities without banning the events all together."

UPDATE: The city basically banned rodeos today. They excluded "charreria," "charreada" not realizing it's the same thing. They did state that they are banning specific rodeo practices. The "motion is an “instruction” to the city attorney to draft an ordinance that bans specific cruel activities such as “bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, road capping, etc.” These practices are the same things as charreria, see definitions below! The motion has to go to other committees then back to City Council before it will get a final vote. They are working on the wording. A Latina politician made it seem earlier that the motion wasn't passed. I think she was just trying to appease the cowboys for the press. 

Another thing to consider here is these events aren't just dangerous and cruel for animals. They're also dangerous for humans especially young people. They break their necks, backs, ankles or die. Surely there is better entertainment than watching people hurt themselves and animals. How about just Latino cultural events on horseback with mariachis, folklorico dancers, great food, singing, native arts. This is what they replaced bullfighting with in Mexico and Spain. 


ORIGINAL: Los Angeles City had a meeting today December 5, 2023 about banning rodeos in the city limits. Originally the motion was going to be to just ban cattle prods and other cruel rodeo tools but then they decided to just ban rodeos. The item is Council File: 20-1575 Inhumane Implements / Electric Prods or Shocking Devices / Flank or Bucking Straps / Wire Tiedowns / Sharpened or Fixed Spurs or Rowels / Prohibition / Rodeo Events. Here is a link to the LA City org file. https://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=20-1575

Let me preface this by saying I'm Latina. My family is from Mexico. I speak Spanish. My family had horses and a ranch in Mexico. I understand the language and culture. I also know a lot about rodeos and farm animals. I went through the police academy and humane academy to become a Humane Officer to investigate and help prosecute cruelty to animals. Rodeos are cruel to animals. Animals are injured and killed. Bull fighting is also cruel. 

Today a few Mexican, Latino cowboys showed up at City Hall on horseback and called the media. They stated that the motion would ban their "cultural and traditional equestrian events." The motion was just to ban rodeos and not normal equestrian events that aren't cruel and lethal. 

Turns out the people were there to support Mexican rodeos. The Mexican Spanish term for rodeos is charreria. They do the same events as a regular rodeo. Below are some photos from Wikipedia of charreria. They lasso, grab, throw down and mistreat animals just like American rodeos. American rodeos came from Spanish rodeos. Our American cowboy came from the Spanish vaquero. 

Spaniards brought horses and farm animals to the new world, the Americas in the 1500's. They brought the rodeo culture and these same cruel events. Spaniards enslaved the indigenous people and forced them to become farm hands on their ranches. The farm hands on the different rancheros would compete against each other in these competitions. They were later called charrerua and cowboys were called charros. 

When Mexico became independent they still had the ranchero system which was basically slavery in the form of peasant wages which trapped people. These Mexicans, Latinos are today claiming this Spanish tradition is their wonderful indigenous Mexican culture and tradition. Bull fighting was also a Spanish, Mexican tradition which is outlawed in the US and many places in Mexico. Slavery is also outlawed. Raping your wife used to be legal. Just because something is a cultural traditional and used to be legal doesn't mean people should continue doing it.

The City is going to allow more public input before they vote on the motion to ban rodeos in the city. The main reason why some people want rodeos and charrerias is of course money. A few businesses make a lot of money off these cruel events. They sell a lot of alcohol and tickets while animals are chased, wrangled, have their necks snapped, ankles broken and backs broken for human entertainment.

I will post tomorrow where to send public comments and emails about this issue. 

"The Charreada consists of nine events for men and one for women, all involving horses, cattle, or both. These events are:

1. Cala de Caballo (Reining) - Rider forces horse to run quickly then orders it to stop as fast as possible. They generally hit the horse with a stick to get it to run. They also do a pivot on one leg turning one direction then the next. Easy to break their legs.

2. Piales en Lienzo (Heeling) - A mare must be heeled by throwing a lariat to catch its hind legs.

3. Colas en el Lienzo or Coleadero (Steer Tailing) -  A rider pursues a high-speed chase on a running steer down a narrow track. The riders’ goal is to grab the cow by the tail, wrap it around their leg or stirrup, then drag or violently slam the steer to the ground, full force, by making sharp turns.

4. Jineteo de Toro (Bull Riding) - Rider tries to ride a wild bull. They sometimes taze or hit it to get it go buck out of the gate. Bulls can break their backs and legs.

5. Terna en el Ruedo (Team Roping) - Team roping event in which three charros on horseback attempt to rope a bull - one by its neck, one by its hind legs, and the last then ties its feet together all in a maximum time limit of 6 minutes. They violently yank the neck of the bull and throw it down on the ground.

6. Jineteo de Yegua (Bareback on a Wild Mare) - same as bull riding.

7. Manganas a Pie (Forefooting) - a charro on foot (pie) given three opportunities and eight minutes to rope a horse with his lasso by its front legs and cause it to fall and roll once. 

8. Manganas a Caballo or (Forefooting on Horseback) - same as above but from horseback. This is more violent and stressful as the horse is lasso'd, neck yanked and it's violently thrown to the ground on its back. 

9. El Paso de la Muerte (The Pass of Death) - The pass of death in Spanish consist of a charro riding bareback with reins attempting to leap from his own horse to the bare back of a loose, unbroken horse without reins and ride it until it stops running. The events gets its name from the high amount of risk of the performance if done incorrectly since this movement can be fatal for the person who executes it since they can fall under the animal and be trampled by the three other riders who herd the animal. 

10. Escaramuza (A Precision Display of Equestrian Skill for Women) - The only female equestrian event in the Mexican charrería. The escaramuza means "skirmish" and consists of a team riding horses in choreographed synchronized maneuvers to music. The women ride side-saddle and wear traditional Mexican outfit that include sombreros, dresses, and matching accessories. A team consists of 16 women, but only 8 ride at a time. The routine is practiced in a lienzo, or a circular arena. Some do dangerous maneuvers at high speed. Youngest is five years old.They do high speed heeling and use riding crops and sticks on the horses. Below is a photo of a woman doing high speed heeling.







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.


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