October 6, 2007

Hi all,

 
Upcoming Events (those in which START will be participating are in red)
 

A. Canine Carnival 

B. "Works of Arf"
C. START Monthly Meeting for October ~ Please plan to attend
D. START Auction Planning Meeting
E. Hands/Paws on Kirkwood
F. Halloween Costume Party for Dogs
G. Trivia Night for Weimeraners 
H. An Evening for the Animals Silent Auction
I. Howlin' Halloween Festival
J. Ringling Bros. Demos
 


 

A. Canine Carnival

Hosted by the APA, this annual doggy event will take place in Tilles Park on Sunday, October 7, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  There will be games, contests, information booths, and rescue groups.  START will be there.  Stop by our booth if you'd like to help! 
 
B. "Works of Arf"
This "evening of music, wine, and art" will benefit the MO Alliance for Animal Legislation, and will take place Monday, October 8, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm.  It is being held at Framations Art Gallery, and you can check out all the details on their website.
 
C. START Monthly Meeting for October
Tuesday, October 9, 7:00 pm, at the Brentwood Community Center.  Humane Investigator, Bob Baker, will talk about his former undercover work while a member of the Humane Farming Association.  He will also discuss his work investigating puppy mills for the ASPCA.  This is an important meeting to attend to educate yourself about today's farms and mills.  It isn't often we get a chance to hear it directly from an investigator.  Also, please bring an Auction item to donate to our two theme baskets.  See below.
 
D. START Auction Planning Meeting
Thursday, October 11, 7:00 pm, at the Wild Oats Community Room.
 
E. Hands/Paws on Kirkwood
Bring your canine companion for an off-leash social and pet blessing!  This free event is open to the public and will be held at the Kirkwood Baptist Church, at the corner of Adams and Woodlawn.  It takes place on Saturday, October 13, from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm.  (The blessing of the pets will be from 10:00 to 11:30 am.)  For all the details, be sure to check http://www.kirkwoodbaptist.org/_events.  (Details like, no puppies under four months, no unaltered dogs, no pinch collars, etc.)
 
F. Halloween Costume Party for Dogs 
Booths with information and games for the dogs.  Prizes for best costume.  Hosted by the Gateway American Pit Bull Terrier Club.  Sunday, October 14, 3:00 to 5:00 pm, at the Museum of the Dog in Queeny Park.  Cost is $5 per dog.  Games are free.  START will be there.  Let us know if you'd like to help with our booth.
 
G. Trivia Night for Weimeraners
The Heartland Weimeraner Rescue is hosting a Trivia Night, Saturday, October 20, at Assumption Church, 4725 Mattis Road, in South County.  The doors open at 6:30 pm, and the trivia begins at 7:00 pm.  The price is $18 per person, $144 per table of eight.  To reserve a seat/table, call Lesley Hunt at 314-275-2124, evenings and weekends; or 314-485-6412, workdays.
 
H. An Evening for the Animals Silent Auction
Saturday, October 27, 6:00 to 9:00 pm, at the Regional Arts Commission (6128 Delmar).  START's biggest annual fundraiser is a lot of fun, but also a lot of work.  Soooo, WE NEED PEOPLE.  The following is our Wish List for the Auction.  We need:
# Volunteers to help decorate and to set up the tables with the auction items and their bid sheets
# Volunteers to staff the admission table
# Volunteers to help serve the food and clean up tables as needed
# Volunteers to help clean up at the end 
# Donations of gift certificates, gift cards, gift baskets, etc.  Gift certificates, cards, and baskets could be from restaurants, grocery stores, sporting events, hair stylists, dog groomers, gyms, movie theaters, video rental, pet supply stores, maid service, etc.  We have a tax-exempt letter you can give to the businesses if they need one.  Just let us know and we can e-mail/mail it to you or directly to the business.
# Donations of one item relating to either theme: "A Night at the Movies" or "Companion Animals."  START will put together two theme baskets to auction, and we'd like members (and non-members) to donate some item that fits any aspect of these themes.  It could be a DVD or package of popcorn or box of Raisinettes for the movie night.  It could be a dog chew or a bird toy or a bag of cat litter for the companion animal basket.  Use your imagination; it needn't be expensive.  Please bring your item to the October 9 Monthly Meeting. 
 
There will be a buffet dinner and dessert, drinks, prizes for best costume, trick 'r treat goody bags, and a whole range of auction items to fit any budget.  Tickets are $15 in advance, or $20 at the door.  Call or e-mail START to reserve your tickets. 
 
I. Howlin' Halloween Festival
This is another event to benefit the MO Alliance for Animal Legislation, Missouri's only official legislative organization working to help animals at the state level.  Even though this festival is the same day as our Evening for the Animals (Saturday, October 27), it is during the day and only two hours long.  So, you can easily make both events!  Check out the MAAL website for details. 
 
J. Ringling Bros. Demos
Thursday, November 8, and Saturday, November 10.  The shows start at 7:00 pm, and we will follow up with more details on when and where to meet.  Scottrade Center has some weird barricades in front now, so that may have to be worked through. 
 


Hi again,
 
A) Animal Law ~ Some sites to clarify national and state cruelty statutes
B) Animal Hoarding ~ What is it? Can it be prevented? How should it be punished? Is it connected to other abuse?
C) Recent News
   


 
A) Animal Law

US Federal law is so lax concerning animal welfare, that most animal cruelty statutes are left up to the individual states.  These animal cruelty laws vary widely from state to state, and even within states the regulations are further divided by cities, towns, and municipalities.  It can be difficult to find exact laws pertaining to animals, especially in one central location. The following is a list of some websites and webpages containing animal statute information. 

(The MO Alliance for Animal Legislation has many opportunities to help them get the word out about MO animal laws and how to change them.)

 

Animal Legal and Historical Center

www.animallaw.info

Probably one of the most complete animal law resources out there.  Database of existing laws and attempted legislation.

 

Humane Society of MO

www.hsmo.org

To find current MO statutes regarding animal abuse and neglect, go to “Animal Rescue” in the headings list at the top of the Humane Society homepage.  A drop-down menu will appear.  Click on “Current Animal Laws.”

 

International Institute for Animal Law

www.animallaw.com

Comprehensive searchable database for state-by-state laws and legislation concerning animal issues.

 

Animal Welfare Information Center

awic.nal.usda.gov

What federal animal laws really do to protect animals.  Warning: You may need a course in double-speak before getting too far into it.  Stick to the actual laws, and disregard the attempt to sugarcoat the problems.

 



 
 
B) Animal Hoarding

The Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium (HARC)

www.tufts.edu/vet/cfa/hoarding

An incredibly comprehensive database of the nature and psychopathology of animal hoarding.  Covers the intervention and legal concerns, as well as connections to other forms of social abuse and illness.  Under the aegis of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

 

Animal Hoarding: An In-depth Look at the Phenomenon

www.animalhoarding.com

A website dedicated to the complexities of animal hoarding.

 

Animal Hoarders: Behavior, Consequences, and Appropriate Official Response

www.helpinganimals.com/pdfs/hoardingsingle72.pdf

A concise, 15-page booklet that outlines the problems of animal hoarding and how law enforcement can deal with it. (The document can take awhile to load.)

 



 
C) Recent News
Veg Article Heightens Protein Concerns  This well-meaning article spooks people into believing we are prone to deficiencies in protein and a host of other nutrients.  It's one of those "Veganism CAN be done if you're SUPER careful" types of articles.  The nutrients they mention should be of concern to EVERYONE, and not just vegans.  Write to the editor.