Street Dogs of South Central documentary, fundraiser and why.

In case you haven't seen or heard of the documentary film Street Dogs of South Central, it's important to know a few things about the movie. A few people have criticized the filmmakers for not intervening in the events that occur in the film while they were shooting it.  However, as most documentary fans know, part of making a doc is to show things how they REALLY are so that the viewer can experience the reality of the situation. This is the deal, no more or no less. But don't think the filmmakers of Street Dogs are just shrugging their shoulders about the situation...

Moving forward, filmmaker Bill Marin is jumping in with both feet to raise money to help the very community and animals he filmed. Right on Bill! There is no question in my mind that Street Dogs is a movie that can make a difference by showing the stark reality of poverty in the inner city of Los Angeles, which is probably similar to many other inner cities in the US, and how it affects the dogs who live there.  The other reality we see is that these dogs are full of love as are many of the people and that our help would be greatly appreciated.  You can see this if you take the time to see beyond the poverty and what makes you sad.

These animals need our help and support so don't turn a blind eye. The families in the area who have animals also need our support. Most of these people can't afford to fix their animals, never mind licensing or microchipping them! They want to do right by their beloved pets, so why can't we help them? Stop judging and start helping!

Groups like Downtown Dog Rescue and The Amanda Foundation are taking the lead in going into these communities and giving people the opportunity to do what's best for their dogs.  The community is jumping on the chance to fix their dogs and when offered they also choose to microchip and license. Hundreds of dogs are attending these clinics.  All it takes is some money from you and I to help improve the quality of life for all those in this community.

Remember, microchips will keep animals out of the shelters by returning them to their homes. Spay and neuter will stop the cycle of unintentional breeding of dogs, big and small.  Take action by giving to the Shelter Animal Advocacy Fund, LA , buying a Street Dog wristband or by attending the Street Dog fundraising event screening the film Street Dogs of South Central.  See for yourself why this community needs our help!

Limited Seating, Screening Tix on Sale Now!

Buy your tickets online at http:www.saafla.org! 

Great food and drink

Great documentary film

Great speakers

Great items for silent auction

Great singer Katrina Parker

All of this for a mere $35!

Don't miss it!

Buy Tickets in advance

1 ticket$35.00 USD 2 tickets$70.00 USD 4 tickets$140.00 USD Can't attend Donation only$35.00 USD

Emma & Bowie, What are you waiting for??? @WLA Shelter

SCIL - Social Compassion in Legislation No on AB1939

SCIL - Social Compassion in Legislation

SCIL Opposes AB 1939 (Pan) 
Bill Attempts to Dismantle Differential Licensing
and Creates a New Crime for Rescue Groups 

While many positive things are happening for pets in California, one negative change is on the horizon.

Since 1973, California has offered an incentive for dog owners to spay and neuter their pets, in the form of differential licensing. This program offers owners a 50% or greater discount on license fees for their dog if the animal is spayed or neutered. Because of this law, millions of pets have been spayed and neutered, and countless unintended litters have been prevented.

But now, a dog breeder group called Concerned Dog Owners of California (“CDOC”) is sponsoring legislation specifically designed to do away with differential licensing for dogs under 1 year of age. 
Why are they doing this? According to their website, CDOC believes that early spay and neuter is inappropriate. AB 1939 is their attempt to remove any incentive for early spay and neuter from California law. Under AB 1939, people who breed dogs for sale would no longer have to pay standard dog license fees for the unaltered dogs they produce. And for the general public, there would no longer be any incentive to spay and neuter animals under 1 year of age.

The result? A reduction in much-needed fees for local animal control agencies, anincrease in unaltered dogs in our state, and an increase in dogs entering our shelters due to additional, unwanted litters. 

CDOC has been fighting spay and neuter for years. They even (unsuccessfully) sued the City of Los Angeles in 2008 in an attempt to overturn their newly enacted spay and neuter ordinance. This group should not be guiding our state on spay and neuter policy. 

New Reporting Requirements for Rescue Groups

AB 1939 also puts in place new monthly reporting requirements for rescue groups who adopt animals out to the public. These groups will now be required to submit monthly reports to their local government, detailing their activities and providing the names and addresses of everyone they adopt to. If the rescue group does not provide this monthly report, they can be subject to a misdemeanor and a fine. 

Perhaps not coincidentally, these new reporting requirements do not affect small scale dog breeders, as long as they sell less than 20 dogs (and less than three litters) per year. We feel that if these new requirements are placed on people who adopt dogs to the public, the same requirements should also be placed on those who sell dogs to the public.

AB 1939 damages our licensing system and the rescue community. The language of the bill obscures the sponsor's true intentions, and as a result even some "animal protection" groups are currently supporting the bill. This is a bad bill and does not deserve the support of anyone in the animal welfare community.

AB 1939 will be voted on this week in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. If you feel strongly that California should not begin to dismantle our differential licensing system, and that rescue groups should not be subject to new monthly reporting under the threat of a misdemeanor, please contact the Appropriations Committee and tell them that you OPPOSE AB 1939.