After a very successful “Rescuers Rally” last week, Responsible Pet Owners Alliance (RPOA) is continuing its push to preserve purebred rescue programs in San Antonio. RPOA will speak to the San Antonio City Council at City Hall on Thursday, August 14th, at the council's regular meeting. RPOA asks that interested individuals attend this meeting and sign up to speak in favor of rescue.
Anyone who wishes to speak to the city council must sign-in for “Citizens to Be Heard” portion of the agenda that begins at 5 p.m. You may sign-in anytime after 12 noon. You may not speak unless you sign in, and speakers are allowed only 3 minutes.
Please read the full report below for additional information about the San Antonio rescue situation and what you can do to help.
Attention Dog Lovers in San Antonio!
[Tuesday, August 5, 2003]
Purebred dog rescuers in San Antonio are facing a major struggle with the city's animal control department and need your immediate help. The San Antonio Animal Control facility has told Responsible Pet Owners Alliance (an AKC-affiliated federation) that their Purebred Rescue Agreement is terminated effective August 1, 2003. This termination applies not only to RPOA but all purebred dog rescue organizations.
The San Antonio facility is now the only animal control facility in Texas that refuses to work with purebred rescue in any capacity. Instead, all purebreds impounded by the city will be held for 3 working days, then will go to the Animal Control Facility's Adoption Kennel or be transferred directly to the Humane Society of Bexar County or Animal Defense League. Rescue groups are dedicated to finding suitable homes for purebred dogs, and it is a disservice to these organizations and the dogs they place to unilaterally disallow their involvement. AKC believes that the decision by San Antonio Animal Control will lead to increased euthanasia rates.
RPOA and rescuers across San Antonio are organizing opposition to draw attention to this injustice.
What You Can Do:
- Attend the Rally
- A press conference and rally will be held on the steps of City Hall (corner of Commerce and Flores Streets, downtown) on Thursday, August 7, 2003 from 11 a.m. until noon. All interested dog lovers are encouraged to attend.
- Sign the petition
- Contact San Antonio officials and tell them you object to the new no-rescue policy.
Mailing address for all:
City of San Antonio
PO Box 839966
San Antonio, TX 78283
Mayor Ed Garza
Phone: (210) 207-7060
Fax: (210) 207-4168
E-mail: mayoredgarza@sanantonio.gov
Dr. Fernando Guerra, Director
Metropolitan Health District
Phone: (210) 207-8731
Fax: (210) 207-8999
E-mail: fguerra@sanantonio.gov
City Manager Terry Brechtel
Phone: (210) 207-7080
Fax: (210) 207-4217
E-mail: None
Asst. City Manager Melissa Vossmer
Phone: (210) 207-6912
Fax: (210) 207-4217
E-mail: None
Councilman Roger Flores
Phone: (210) 207-7279
Fax: (210) 207-7027
E-mail: district1@sanantonio.gov
Councilman Joel Williams
Phone: (210) 207-7278
Fax: (210) 207-7027
E-mail: district2@sanantonio.gov
Councilman Ron Segovia
Phone: (210) 207-7064
Fax: (210) 207-7027
E-mail: district3@sanantonio.gov
Councilman Richard Perez
Phone: (210) 207-7281
Fax: (210) 207-7027
E-mail: district4@sanantonio.gov
Councilman Patti Radle
Phone: (210) 207-7043
Fax: (210) 207-7027
E-mail: district5@sanantonio.gov
Councilman Enrique Barrera
Phone: (210) 207-7065
Fax: (210) 207-7027
E-mail: district6@sanantonio.gov
Councilman Julian Castro
Phone: (210) 207-7044
Fax: (210) 207-7027
E-mail: district7@sanantonio.gov
Councilman Art Hall
Phone: (210) 207-7086
Fax: (210) 207-7027
E-mail: district8@sanantonio.gov
Councilman Carroll Schubert
Phone: (210) 207-7325
Fax: (210) 207-7027
E-mail: district9@sanantonio.gov
Councilman Chip Haass
Phone: (210) 207-7276
Fax: (210) 207-7027
E-mail: district10@sanantonio.gov
For more information about the San Antonio rescue issue, please contact Responsible Pet Owners Alliance (RPOA) at www.responsiblepetowners.org or call 210-822-6763.
For more information about legislation or regulations affecting dogs and their owners, contact AKC's Canine Legislation department at doglaw@akc.org.
After a very successful “Rescuers Rally” last week, Responsible Pet Owners Alliance (RPOA) is…