01.07.2005

Hi, All.

With the encouragement of Matt Bear of National Endowment for the Animals, I’ve been reading up on Martin Luther King, Jr., and I’m becoming very inspired for the year and years ahead. King and Gandhi affirm and inform the direction I’ve been moving the organization, away from stridency and toward love and nonviolence – yes, including nonviolent disobedience! I’ll be sharing more with you on that in the upcoming months.

Turtles and Fishes
The rescue continued this week, with a small group of hard-core vols (Chris Jones, Tim Seeber, James DeSimone) saving hundreds more lives. While many animals have died as a result of exposure and dehydration, the number of lives saved is now above 1500. I asked Boulder’s city council on Tuesday night to look into this matter and help us ensure that similar episodes won’t occur. Said one of the rescuers from the previous weekend: “For me it was odd in that though I have been vegetarian for years, I have still been eating some fish and crustaceans. I now have to think twice about eating fish, and so far, I haven’t had any.”

Prairie Dogs, Snakes, Rabbits, and Birds
The Boulder City Council continues to oversee the development of new wildlife ordinances. On Tuesday council received two competing proposals from staff – one favored by RMAD and the other favored by staff. As we hoped, council selected (once again) the more protective proposal, though not without inserting provisions weakening it. My gratitude to everyone who spoke up at the council meeting.

In addition, RMAD is working with Classic Homes in Colorado Springs to save a two- to three-acre colony of prairie dogs on a 93-acre development site. According to Classic Homes, one of the states largest builders, this is the company’s first involvement with the black-tailed prairie dog. We are hopeful for a positive outcome.

Pigs, Cows, Chickens, and Fishes
RMAD is moving closer toward the debut of our new veg website and starter kit. Key volunteers Lynee’ Zajac and Liana Gregory are moving their respective efforts along admirably.

Stock Show
Preparations continued this week for our January 15 action (see www.rmad.org/calendar.html). Our theme is set: Stop the Violence! We will gear our efforts toward both the animal agriculture and the rodeo components of the Stock Show. In addition to our demonstration, our efforts will feature several nights of education by teams of volunteers using our body-screen TVs.

Polly Finds a Home
Hugs and kisses to Ann and Eryn Swissdorf for transporting the delightful feline Polly to Iowa where a loving home awaits this FIV-positive sweetheart.

Deer OK
Chris Jones and Susan Honeycutt (of Wild Places), responding to a call for help from the public, went to a north Boulder neighborhood to investigate a possible injured deer. The team determined that the deer is OK; he simply had not healed perfectly from a previous injury. His prognosis is good. He moves a little slower than his herd, but he is able to eat and move about well.

Rats and the Depth and Breadth of RMAD
Thanks to everyone who offered a home for the rats today. They have, apparently, been placed, though we don’t have details. We know very little about the situation, and likely will learn very little more, but we are heartened by the number of persons who responded to the call for help.

One Person Making a Difference
RMAD’s gratitude to Paula Lewis for taking our inventory of toy prairie dogs to the Christmas Store in downtown Boulder for resale. The plush rodents (and I use the noun lovingly) sold like hotcakes!

Store Reopens
RMAD reopened its online store (www.rmad.org/store.html) this week. In an effort to keep administrative costs to a minimum, we’re limiting sales at this point to bottles and stickers.

Other Public Service
This week the RMAD staff responded to three requests for help on prairie wildlife, one request for help on urban wildlife, two requests for help on companion animals, and five inquiries on general matters.

Remember to tell me about what you do for the animals, so I can share your story with readers of this weekly review!

David Crawford, Executive Director
Rocky Mountain Animal Defense