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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Sunday, December 1, 2024

Mimi Cat Rescuing Baby Squirrels Inspires Mary Cummins to Become Wildlife Rehabilitator, Animal Advocates

mary cummins, animal advocates, squirrel rescue, wildlife rehabilitator, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rescue, squirrel, baby squirrel, los angeles, california
mary cummins, animal advocates, squirrel rescue, wildlife rehabilitator, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rescue, squirrel, baby squirrel, los angeles, california 
"Mimi, The Squirrel Savior: A Kind Cat Adopts Two Squirrels And Treats Them As Her Own Babies. "A cat adopting and taking care of two baby squirrels? No, this is not a fairy tale, but a story of a wonderful kitty called Mimi!

Wait, aren't cats known for chasing around small animals and rodents? Yes, they are, but Mimi is here to show the other side of our feline friends that defeats all the stereotypes. Cats are often seen as cold and not especially caring, but Mimi took it upon herself to prove the haters wrong."

This was over 20 years ago back in 2000. Rescuing these two baby squirrels and not being able to easily find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator is what inspired me to become a wildlife rehabilitator. I called rehabbers from San Diego to Santa Barbara. No one picked up the phone. I went on line and learned how to care for them. I finally called now deceased Paula Drake who referred me to Anna Dresdon who took the two baby squirrels. I gave her my tub of formula, food and $20 donation. In hindsight I should have given her more money ;-)

Article: Aria Archer #catschef 

Mimi the cat rescues baby squirrels #AnimalAdvUSA #marycummins #cat #babysquirrel #squirrel #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #wildliferescue #losangeles #california #animaladvocates 


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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Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Peanut the Squirrel's Owner Sues New York. Major Flaws in their Potential Lawsuit, by Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates

Photo: Wikipedia, Peanut (squirrel)

Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner filed their notice of intention to make a claim against the New York State Department of Conservation for the death of Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon. You must file a notice within six months of filing a lawsuit to give state a chance to solve issue. They allege unlawful search and seizure, violation of freedom of speech, and other due process violations.

Longo and Bittner stated the incident was the result of alleged "negligence, carelessness, and recklessness" by the state of NY and its agents. They stated they may have violated due process laws by not revealing to a judge their intention to kill the animals after raiding Longo and Bittner's home.

Another alleged issue is that Longo and Bittner stated Peanut and Fred were "companion animals" under the law and not wild animals. This claim was allegedly never discussed in court before the raid, which was another oversight, in their opinion.

"Peanut and Fred were not euthanized, according to the notice, because they weren't sick. Mark and Daniela say the two animals were "executed." That said, Longo and Daniela say they were acting in good faith by trying to get Wildlife Rehabilitators licenses and other permits before the raid occurred.

They will sue for emotional distress, pain and suffering, violations of their constitutional rights and lost wages since Peanut's online presence supplemented their income."

Longo and Daniela's attorney needs to look at relevant Fish & Wildlife laws. They have major flaws in their notice of intent to file a lawsuit. While I agree that the Department handled the situation poorly at least from a public relations standpoint Longo and Daniela knew they never had the legal right to possess wildlife. They were very irresponsible to be widely publicly exhibiting wildlife to the public online especially in a pet-like manner. I warned them as did others. FYI I never reported them. NY rehabbers reported them.

Turns out they were reported over a year ago by NY licensed wildlife rehabilitators. The Department of Conservation contacted them January 2024 and told them to transfer the animals to a licensed facility. Allegedly Longo stated he released them which was a lie.  Longo admitted he knew he needed a permit but didn't have one. He stated he was in the process of getting an "educational permit." Longo and Daniela knew the laws yet continued to violate them which endangered Peanut and Fred who were killed as a result of the actions of Longo and Daniela.

Wildlife is under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Fish & Wildlife. Wildlife is owned collectively by the state. People cannot legally own wildlife. They can never be pets or companion animals. Longo and Daniela did not have permits to possess wildlife. You must have the permits before you possess wildlife. 

Ill, injured and orphaned wildlife must be turned over to licensed permitted wildlife rehabilitators within 48 hours. Wildlife must be possessed according to the law in specific types, sizes of enclosures. How to get a NY wildlife rehabilitation permit. It's not legal to possess wildlife as "pets" or "companion animals." You cannot display animals to the public with the rehabilitation permit. They never would have been allowed to show the animals in a pet like manner because it encourages illegal and improper behavior. 

It is legal in some states to have an exhibit or sanctuary permit for wildlife. You generally need at least two years experience with a permitted person or facility. NY may not allow it though most states do. You need two years experience to rehab Rabies Vector Species animals such as raccoons in New York. You must be approved before you obtain the wild animal. Wildlife that cannot be released back to nature can legally be euthanized. This is not a pet which can only be euthanized due to medical or behavioral condition. Squirrels and raccoons can be dangerous in captivity. I've rehabbed them for over 20 years and know this personally. I've written articles about ex pet squirrels and raccoons. I no longer take them in to try to wild them up for release to the wild. It's too difficult, time consuming and stressful for the animals and me. 

They never had an exhibit permit so they can't sue for lost earnings. They legally were not allowed to make money off or exhibit the animals even just on internet video. All their pain and suffering was the result of their own actions. If they really cared about the animals, they would have gotten them to safety. They could have then gotten proper permits and maybe taken the animals back. I even warned them about these issues and was attacked just for telling them that this would happen. I'm amazed someone didn't report them sooner. I really hoped this couple would do the right thing after people had warned them.

Below is a press release about the situation from PBA of NYS. Longo was given ten months warning before any action was taken. He lied to state agents about the squirrel. The health department ordered the animals killed about the squirrel bit someone when Longo refused to put the squirrel in a carrier. 


I do believe that the situation was handled poorly. The state should have taken the animals to a wildlife rehabilitation facility until things were handled in a better manner. California learned not to instantly kill stray mountain lions and bears. They relocate even thought it's against their own regulations. When they used to euth they got too much hate mail and threats.

References:

STATE COMPILATION OF CODES, RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
TITLE 6. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I. FISH AND WILDLIFE
SUBCHAPTER J. MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS
PART 184. WILDLIFE REHABILITATORS


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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Thursday, November 21, 2024

Marine Mammal Care Center Behind the Scenes by Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates

mary cummins, animal advocates, wildlife rehabilitation, marine mammal care center, los angeles, california, wildlife, wildlife rescue, wildlife rehabilitator
Marine Mammal Care Center Behind the Scenes with Jules Leon and Deanna Bowlin, mary cummins, animal advocates, wildlife rehabilitation, marine mammal care center, los angeles, california, wildlife, wildlife rescue, wildlife rehabilitator


Just attended the online webinar Behind the Scenes at Marine Mammal Care Center. Deanna Bowlin and Jules Leon were the hosts. They showed us three seal pups and an adult female seal in care. They talked about the problems facing marine mammals today and what you can do to help. The video was super choppy. I recommend just watching some of their videos. 

UPDATE: Turns out the horrible choppy quality of the video was just a glitch. Glad to hear that. 

"Thank you for joining the livestream today! We apologize that the quality wasn't ideal and we are working with our vendor and looking at other options to bring you the best experience possible. We will send a special invitation to another livestream event when we have this fixed. 

Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties with our livestream platform, we don't have the recording to rewatch; however, we created this special holiday playtime video just for you in hopes that it makes up for it! https://youtu.be/h9VSdWwgs18 "


"We are so excited to announce that registration is now open for our Behind-the-Scenes Livestream happening this Thursday, November 21 at 11:30 am PT. bit.ly/mmccbehindthescenes or tap the link in our bio⁠
Have you ever wondered what goes on at a wildlife hospital or how we feed our patients? This is your chance to get an inside look at the Marine Mammal Care Center and watch our adorable patients eat, play, and be 100% cute.⁠"

"Meet our newest patient: POPTART! You'll get to see him on our Behind-the-Scenes livestream happening tomorrow (Thursday) at 11:30 am. You must register to attend at bit.ly/mmccbehindthescenes!
❤️ Poptart is a California sea lion pup who was rescued in Malibu and arrived at our hospital on October 23. At the time of his rescue, he was just a few months old – much too young to be separated from his mother. He was clearly emaciated and in need of specialized care. Although he had some gastrointestinal issues for his first few days, he has been eating well recently and successfully shifted from tube-feedings to eating fish on his own. 
🤳🏽 Thanks to everyone who submitted food names for our patient naming contest on social media. After a random selection 🥁🥁🥁 congrats to @rostastny for their name submission!"








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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

Sunday, November 3, 2024

Wildlife in the News: Nibi the beaver, Peanut the squirrel, by Mary Cummins Animal Advocates

I'm sure most by now have heard about the stories of Nibi the beaver and Peanut the squirrel. Both were found orphaned and raised by individuals with the intent to release them back to nature. For differing reasons neither were released. Instead the local Fish & Wildlife/Game Departments got involved. After some legal wrangling, petitions, press, social media campaign, Nibi is now an educational beaver. Sadly the authorities just instantly took Peanut and killed him. Here's a little explanation of what issues were involved.

Peanut the squirrel was found orphaned by a kind couple who raised him in Pine City, New York. The finder Mark Longo and his wife tried to release him but he was too acclimated to humans so they kept him. They made a social media page about him wearing hats, acting like a pet which garnered lots of fans and attention. They started P'Nut's Freedom Farm an animal sanctuary. Peanut got the attention of the local Fish & Game Department. New York State Department of Environmental Conversation (DEC) got a warrant then went and took him October 30, 2024 and killed him. They did not cite Longo or give him notice to appear for formal charges. They killed Peanut and a raccoon stating he bit someone and could have rabies. Just fyi any mammal can get and carry rabies. It's extremely rare for squirrels to have rabies. Most would die pretty quickly with obvious signs.

Legally one must have a permit to possess wildlife in New York. One could have possibly gotten an exhibit, sanctuary or wildlife rehabilitation permit to possess a squirrel. One could have also given the squirrel to someone who is already licensed to have squirrels. I doubt anyone would have been bitten at that point. I personally feel the authorities should have given the squirrel to a licensed individual. They could have worked something out in the future so the finders could visit or become licensed. The bad press is never worth it. Sadly that didn't happen. In a perfect world they should have given the baby squirrel to a wildlife rehabilitator so he could have been raised with others then released to the wild. It's possible the finder didn't know the law at the time. He did know the law later and should have taken steps to safeguard Peanut.

Nibi the beaver was also found orphaned. He was given to licensed wildlife rehabilitator Jane Newhouse of Newhouse Wildlife Rescue in Massachusetts. You must raise beavers with others so they don't get acclimated to human caregivers. Squirrels are the same way. The rehabber tried but couldn't find another beaver Nibi would accept. Nibi wasn't able to be released for this reason. The rehabber applied for an educational permit but was denied. They were ordered to release Nibi instantly. A habituated beaver would most likely die if released.

Instead they used their social media fans to start a petition, contacted the media and contacted lawyers and local politicians. With the help of media and politicians including I believe the Governor they were able to secure the proper permits. 

I personally feel they should have been granted the educational permit originally. I feel perhaps the local Fish & Wildlife department just didn't want to encourage rehabbers to keep wildlife or showcase them in a pet like manner. While we got a wildlife rehabilitation and educational exhibit permit our local Fish & Wildlife department is also extremely against giving permits. They believe wildlife should be "utilized" as in hunted, eaten, used for fur, research or released to the wild even if they just die. They don't believe any wildlife should be kept for education, exhibition, sanctuary or foster. Because there are a lot of "working" wild animals in California they still give out some permits to some people. 

The purpose of this article is to educate people about possessing wildlife and the necessary permits. If you find ill, injured, orphaned wildlife, give it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator instantly. Don't keep it because you will bond with it and it will bond with you. Then it won't be able to be released back to nature and could end up dead. A life in nature is best for wildlife.

If you want to care for wildlife, volunteer with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. We are not accepting new volunteers but other facilities may. Thanks for caring about wildlife. 



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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Thursday, September 19, 2024

Raccoon roundworms baylisascaris in raccoons in Los Angeles California by Mary Cummins Animal Advocates



Los Angeles County Department of Public Health stated there were two recent rare case of raccoon roundworms in humans i.e. baylisascaris procyonis. The roundworms have been here forever. Just don't touch or eat raccoon feces or raccoons. Don't attract raccoons to your home by not allowing them access to food, water or shelter. Clean any feces with gloves and a bag. Don't let babies crawl on the grass if you've seen raccoons anywhere near your property. We've rescued raccoons over 20 years and have never been infected with the worms or eggs. Please, share this information. Thanks. #raccoonroundworms #raccoon #baylisascaris #AnimalAdvocates #marycummins #publichealth #losangeles #california

Just heard it was two people in the southbay. We have a lot of raccoons down there. Problem is people feeding outdoor cats which attract raccoons. I will bet the two people who got roundworms were babies crawling on the lawn. Most of the previous human cases were babies crawling on the ground. Their hands touch tiny bit of fresh raccoon poo then they put their hand in their mouth. 

Health Department press release

September 17, 2024

Public Health Investigating a Rare Disease Spread from Animals to Humans - People are reminded to take precautions concerning wildlife

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating two human cases of a rare parasitic infection, Baylisascaris procyonis, also known as raccoon roundworm. The two cases were found in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County. In humans, the Baylisascaris parasite can infect the spinal cord, brain and eyes and lead to swelling of the brain and eye disease.

While Baylisascariasis is rare in people and the risk to the general public is low at this time, it is concerning because a large number of raccoons live near people, and the infection rate in raccoons is likely high. The confirmed cases of this rare infection are an important reminder for all in Los Angeles County residents to take precautions to prevent the spread of disease from animals to people, also known as zoonotic disease.

Baylisascaris procyonis is a type of parasite (roundworm) that lives in the intestines of raccoons. It does not make them sick, but their feces (poop) can carry the roundworm’s eggs. People can become infected with Baylisascaris if they eat dirt/soil, water, or material contaminated with infected raccoon feces. Young children, developmentally disabled persons, or persons with pica (an eating disorder in which a person eats things not usually considered food) are at highest risk for infection as they may be more likely to put contaminated fingers, soil, objects, or even animal feces into their mouths by mistake. Baylisascaris infection cannot be transmitted from person to person.

Although rare, dogs and cats can also become infected if they ingest raccoon feces or contaminated materials. Cats infected with this parasite cannot transmit it in their feces, and dogs rarely do. Talk to your veterinarian about maintaining your pets on a deworming medication to prevent and treat any roundworm infections.

Animals can greatly enrich our lives and environment and can even benefit our health. However, 60 percent of infectious diseases in humans originate in animals or involve animals, especially wildlife. Public Health reminds everyone to learn about and practice basic safety precautions to prevent the spread of diseases between animals and people (zoonoses), including diseases transmitted by fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Pet owners should work closely with their veterinarians to keep their pets healthy, too.

“Our health is closely linked to the health of animals around us,” said Dr. Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “Simple precautions, like washing your hands regularly, avoiding direct contact with wild animals and their waste, keeping pets healthy, and preventing wildlife from sheltering or living in or next to our homes or properties can help keep our neighborhoods and families safe and healthy.”

Other examples of diseases that involve both humans and animals in Los Angeles County include flea-borne typhusleptospirosis, West Nile Virussalmonella, and rabies. In addition, wild birds in the County have tested positive for H5N1. There are currently no confirmed cases of H5N1 in humans in LA County.

Children, adults older than 65, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness from zoonotic diseases.

Public Health encourages people to follow these practices to prevent illness from pets and wild animals:

  1. Wash your hands. Always wash your hands with soap and clean, running water before preparing food and eating and after and outdoor activities or being around animals, even if you didn't touch the animals. If you don't have soap and water, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Proper handwashing helps prevent the spread of germs.
  2. Be aware of zoonotic diseases: Be mindful of diseases that can be spread from animals to people, whether at home, petting zoos, animal exhibits, childcare settings, schools, or while traveling.
  3. Prevent insect bites. To avoid bites from mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas, use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent. Wear long sleeves, pants, and socks to cover your skin when hiking or walking outside. After being outdoors, check yourself, your clothes, and your pets for ticks and remove any you find right away. Keep grass short, remove leaf litter, and put tightly fitted screens on windows.
  4. Avoid animal bites and scratches. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, seek medical care promptly, as these injuries can transmit diseases.
  5. Keep wildlife away. Don’t leave pet food and water bowls outdoors, especially overnight because this attracts wildlife. Pick up any fallen fruit and other possible food sources around your home. Raccoons and other wildlife may also be drawn to fishponds and bird feeders. Block access to basements, attics, and crawl spaces, and trim brush and trees away from your property and roof line. Close pet doors at night to prevent wild animals from entering your home.
  6. Handle food safely. Learn how to handle food properly for yourself, your family, and pets. Do not feed raw food to your pets.
  7. Remove animal waste. Use protective equipment to clean up and dispose of animal feces, including pet waste, from your yard or home daily. Animal feces can carry germs that may make humans and other animals sick.
  8. Do not touch dead wildlife. Dead wildlife can still spread germs harmful to people and other animals. Keep people and pets away from dead wildlife. Call your city or local animal control regarding dead animal removal.
  9. Cover sandboxes. Always cover sandboxes when not in use to prevent wild animals from pooping and urinating in them.
  10. Keep pets healthy. Work with your veterinarian to keep your pets healthy and free of diseases. Ask about preventative treatments for fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal worms.



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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

Sunday, August 25, 2024

60 Fighting Cocks Killed After Rescue Offer by Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates

This photo is from 2010 cockfighting raid in San Luis Obispo, California. I'm on the left back facing camera. That's Rowdy Shaw and Eric Sakach from HSUS. Michelle is on the right. heartwood haven,cockfighting,animal advocates,rooster,sanctuary,mary cummins,hsus,california,cockfight,los angeles,fighting cocks,rescue,
This photo is from 2010 cockfighting raid in San Luis Obispo, California. I'm on the left back facing camera. That's Rowdy Shaw and Eric Sakach from HSUS. Michelle is on the right. heartwood haven,cockfighting,animal advocates,rooster,sanctuary,mary cummins,hsus,california,cockfight,los angeles,fighting cocks,rescue,


I read the Mercy for Animals story about 64 former cockfighting birds being euthanized after rescue groups offered to take them. As someone who was involved in a cockfighting raid with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) National Disaster Animal Rescue Team (NDART) this is a complex issue. Below is from Mercy for Animals an organization which I generally support.

"A plan to move former cockfighting roosters to animal sanctuaries was foiled when deputies in Yakima County, Washington, shot 64 birds awaiting rescue. Authorities reportedly feared that the birds might be moved without authorization if they were left on the property.

Before this horrific killing, Heartwood Haven animal sanctuary co-founder Kate Tsyrklevich and her team worked tirelessly to find the roosters suitable homes. They managed to save more than 40 of the birds and were clearing space on their property for the remaining ones. While waiting for a call from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to proceed with their plans, they were informed that the roosters had been shot and killed."


I don't know the full issue but I know cockfighting birds a little. When I was involved in a raid of over 600 birds then told us they would euthanize them all after the owner relinquished them. All of us volunteers were animal lovers.We all said "can't we rescue them, take them to bird sanctuaries?" They said okay but told us sanctuaries probably would not want them because they will fight for life. In fact while we were logging in the evidence birds one of the sheriff officers accidentally let one go. We started to run after it and HSUS guy said "don't bother. He's not going anywhere." Instantly the bird flew back around and started trying to fight other birds in their enclosures. We easily grabbed him and put him back in his enclosure. Here this bird had a chance to escape to freedom and instead it chose to stay and fight. That's how strong the desire to fight is in these birds. Below is photo of the birds in their enclosures.

heartwood haven,cockfighting,animal advocates,rooster,sanctuary,mary cummins,hsus,california,cockfight,los angeles,fighting cocks,rescue,



They told us when they would euth them which gave us two days to find homes. We all called all the bird and farm rescues in California for 24 hours. They all said they didn't want them because cockfighting birds are very different than regular farm chickens due to years of selective breeding for the fighting trait. They are selectively bred to be perpetually combative. That's all they want to do besides eat. The males will fight for life unless they are in their own separate enclosure. That's why the fighters house them separately, see photos of raid linked above. The females are also more aggressive and have to be separated from regular chickens. Regular chickens are frightened of them. The babies would have to be separated when they come of age. 

Two day time limit was up and no one could find a home for a single bird. We're talking experienced rescuers with contacts. I actually had one woman who agreed to take some but she called back and said no after talking to other chicken experts. I'm amazed anyone offered to take the birds. In fact Heartwood Haven who did take 40 birds in this recent situation is now offering them up for adoption. They don't want to keep them because they learned how difficult it is to house them separately. They even stated what I just stated "Heartwood Haven says there is a misconception that fighting roosters might be aggressive, but that is not true. The only caveat being that they can’t be placed with each other or other roosters." This is true. All the cockfighting birds were fine with humans. They just can't be with other birds. That's a big issue on a farm where chickens are generally all housed together. Heartwood Haven's statement proves my point. They said they'd keep the birds in sanctuary and instead are trying to get rid of them. I personally feel they shared this story with the media to get donations and media attention for their nonprofit. I understand as raising funds for nonprofits is difficult but still. I doubt they knew the true nature of fighting cocks when they agreed to take them originally.

Is it humane to house a cockfighting bird for life by itself? It still wants to fight all other birds it sees. It can never run free in a large enclosure. The females must be housed together and not with regular chickens. Regular chickens are frightened of the female cockfighting bred birds. The babies grow up and males will have to be housed alone. 

Obviously after the two days we were given to find homes they euthanized all the cockfighting birds. They didn't shoot them which is dangerous for people. The Sheriff officers broke their necks instantly and painlessly. The birds may have had drugs in their systems so they couldn't even be given away for food. I saw the officers afterwards and they all looked pretty sad. No one wants to do that. They actually said we could do it if we wanted to and all the rescuers said NO. Maybe they thought we wanted to make sure it was instant and painless? It wasn't a cruel offer on their part. The Sheriff Officers were nice to us and grateful for our help.

Cockfighting is horribly cruel for so many reasons. It's a difficult situation for officers who have to deal with the birds after the raids. The birds can't be given back to the fighters. They can't go to a regular farm sanctuary and live free. They must be kept for life in solitary confinement while still wanting to fight and kill other birds every day. I personally feel euthanasia is the best option for cockfighting birds unless someone just wants one pet chicken which will be by itself in a huge locked enclosure. 


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, June 28, 2024

Recognizing and Understanding Bias for Animal Welfare Professionals , Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates



Recognizing and Understanding Bias for the Animal Welfare Professional was a great class. I learned about the different types of human conscious and unconscious biases. Humans in order to survive have basic instincts and biases. We are fearful and distrusting of things which are new or different from ourselves. The us versus them is a survival mechanism. Our perceptions can change over time based on our experiences. All these things affect how we view the world, others and how we react. The class went into the different types of biases. It then went into how to control our biases in our reactions and behavior so we can treat people and the situation fairly and properly.

There was an interesting class experiment. Instructor told us to close our eyes and imagine we're going on a plane trip to a seminar we're really interested in. We go to the hotel and see a couple in love at the restaurant. We go to the seminar and listen to the presenters speak. Then the instructor told us to open our eyes. He asked us "what did the pilot of the plane look like in your mind? Were they a white man? What color and orientation was the couple? What did the presenters look like?" He showed photos of a female pilot in hijab, a same sex couple and black and disabled speakers. He asked if that was what we imagined? He said these biases are formed based on our experiences in real life, in movies, books... 

From the class description, "Our brains are amazing at making connections, doing work, and making decisions without us ever realizing it. Like when you drive home and realize as you're parking that you don't really remember the drive - yup - your unconscious brain played navigator so you could zone out a bit. However, these unconscious connections and processes can have a lasting effect on how you do your job.

Join us as we discuss different types of bias and how they unconsciously invade your decisions and actions on and off the job.

- Learn to identify 5-8 different bias types
- Understand how bias and cynicism can play off of each other;
- That bias, while often thought of as a negative, is actually an evolutionary necessity that we can earn to identify and work on
- And how to create a shared language around bias so your entire team can work on being more aware of these unconscious traps."


Jace Huggins with San Diego Humane Society was the host. I took my two week Humane Officer training at San Diego Humane Society in 2005.

Below are a few slides. I suggest taking the class because the instructor shares a lot of stories, examples, tests and polls. 




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, June 27, 2024

IWRC - A Big Problem with Little Animals, How Insect Declines Affect Wildlife - Mary Cummins, Animal Advocates

gwen pearson, mary cummins, animal advocates, insects, iwrc, international wildlife rehabilitation council, wildlife rehabilitator, wildlife rehabilitation,insects, entomology, wildlife, xerces, los angeles, california
gwen pearson, mary cummins, animal advocates, insects, iwrc, international wildlife rehabilitation council, wildlife rehabilitator, wildlife rehabilitation,insects, entomology, wildlife, xerces, los angeles, california


IWRC International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Coffee & Tea: A big problem with little animals: how insect declines may affect wildlife webinar

"A growing pile of research papers document insect declines across the globe. What does this mean for wildlife, as well as humans? We'll look at how deeply embedded insects are in ecosystems, and how declines in insects may harm birds and other wildlife.

Gwen Pearson serves as a Volunteer Ambassador for the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, a non-profit organization focused on conserving invertebrates and their habitat. She has a PhD in entomology, and has worked in zoo and bird sanctuary settings."

Great presentation by entomologist, educator and speaker Dr Gwen Pearson with Xerces Society. Learned a lot about the importance of insects for wildlife, humans and our environment. Dr. Gwen Pearson is a wonderful speaker. You really need to watch her presentation. IWRC recorded it. 

In summary insect populations are down for many reasons. Birds and mammals feed on insects. This causes bird, mammal populations to also be reduced. We must take steps to help the insects. Some of those steps are not using pesticide, getting rid of some of your lawn, planting native plants, don't rake leaves and leave stems on the ground.

Below are a few quick things I learned from the presentation.

General consensus is that one should not don't release captive reared monarchs because of bacteria contamination which ends up spreading into the wild population.

We should plant organic milkweed.organic. Make sure it's never treated with Neonicotinoid pesticides which stay in the plant forever.

Keeping non-native honey bees is a business. It's not conservation. Honey bees now have diseases which they pass on to native bees.

Most native bees are solitary. 3/4 bees nest in the ground. They only have 12 eggs in their lifetime whereas honey bees can have 1,000.

Lawns are the number one irrigated crop in the US. They're almost all treated with dangerous pesticides.

Bees come out after a few days of a certain temperature. Plants bloom based on daylight hours. They don't always align together so bees may not get enough food especially bees which only feed on certain flowers.

Feeder insects should be treated humanely. They should not be crowded. Must have good healthy varied food with calcium. The insects need calcium for their exoskeleton and other functions. Animals that eat insects also need calcium. @bug_gwen @theiwrc @animaladvocatesusa @mary_cummins #IWRC #internationalwildliferehabilitationcouncil #marycummins #AnimalAdvocates #animaladvocate #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #wildliferehabber #wildlife #wildliferescue

Below are just a few slides from her presentation. You must see her full presentation with all the slides.























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