BRENDA BARNETTE SINGING THE BLUES--BUT AGAIN NO SPAY/NEUTER MESSAGE

Brenda Barnette's latest "Action/Media/News/Public Information (?) release (Can't keep up with the name changes but they all sound pretty much the same.  And who do they go to, anyway?  Ain't seen any in the "Real" news).  Anyway, whatever it was, it came out yesterday and she tells us the "Los Angeles City Shelters are Crawling with Kitties."  Yet, below she admits there's only a 1% increase in cat and kitten impounds from last year.  So what's happening to all the explosion of kittens she's singing the blues about?  Are they being given away to "fosters"?  Or are they being put on those great transports to nowhere?  Don't think we aren't watching!!

She then suggests adopting an adult cat and says they get "passed over."  Has it occurred that might be because there are so many cute little cuddly kittens?  And cute, cuddly little kittens come from cats that aren't spayed.  But I can't find that message in any of BB's "media or action releases/alerts."

Which brings us to the real issue.  This is another "Action/Media/News/Public Information Release" withnot one word about spay/neuter.  How many does that make now since BB came to Los Angeles.  Well, she's churning them out about every week and she's been here nine months.  You do the math.  That's how many times cat owners in Los Angeles could have been reminded to spay or neuter their pets. 

We're still waiting, BB.  When do you start telling people that it's the law to spay or neuter?  Or is it because you really don't believe in that anyway.  You're just a good ol' breeder--"one of us"--at heart, and taking out those little uteruses (or is it uterae). is really against your basic philosophy.

This could be a good message.  It starts off like somebody else (other than BB) wrote it and goes downhill from there.  She shoulda stopped after she talked about Daisy, Petunia and their friends.  Here's how she later describes why you should adopt an adult, "Mature animals are more poised, and in many ways that makes them easier to train,” says LAAS General Manager.  BB, you seem to have a hard time grasping that you are in Los Angeles.  70% of the people don't speak English at home.  "Poised" as a reason to adopt is not high on their list.  If you are going to succeed here, you have to learn to speak the language our shelter visitors understand.  They know happy, loving, gentle, fun but I've never heard one person come to a shelter and ask for a "poised" cat.

 

Any rescuers out there have some descriptions they could share with BB?  Of course, they should all start with "spayed" or "neutered."   Think spay/neuter, spay/neuter, BB!!   That means lower impounds, fewer cats and dogs---and, by the way, it keeps them "poised."

For Immediate Release 

May 12, 2011

Contact: Brenda F. Barnette, General Manager
Email: Brenda.barnette@lacity.org
Phone: (213) 482-9558

“The Second Time Around”
Los Angeles City Shelters Crawling with Kitties

Daisy has been hanging out in our North Central Shelter for two months now. She's talkative, 5-years old, timid, but affectionate; it says so right on her information sheet. Dozens of potential adopters have come to visit Daisy and her friends Samantha, Noel and Petunia, and taken home a new kitty, while these great cats keep waiting for the “forever home” that they deserve. (Very good job on describing these cats when you consider that you never even named the cat "rescued" from under a chaise lounge, much less described it or did anything constructive to help it get adopted. A staff member anti-ed up the money to make it a free adoption to encourage adoption. I'm sure, BB, you could have afforded to front the adoption fee better than one of your employees.)

This year, approximately 5,181 cats and kittens have been surrendered at the Los Angeles Animal Services’ (LAAS) Shelters since January 1, 2011; an increase of 1% percent from the same period last year. (Maybe if you would do your job, this might not have happened. Lots of promises, Brenda Barnette, but you aren't delivering!)

But, you can help! Adopt a cat today. Adult cats are often passed over in favor of a kitten. These amazing adult cats have done nothing wrong and they will run out of time and space if we can’t find homes for them. (Well, I'll be damned, she said something right for a change!)

Like most shelters this time of year, LAAS has an abundant supply of kittens. It is definitely kitten season. Although they are cute, they are also a lot more work in every possible way. (NOW, GET READY!! Instead of explaining why we have so many kittens and putting in some education of spay/neuter, programs, etc, look what this woman breaks into - SONG!!!! And what is so bad is that there probably aren't that many people who even remember these songs!! Breeder Barnette has been asked repeatedly to use her press releases to push spay/neuter and she just doesn't get it.)

Thinking about people who adopt mature animals brings Sammy Cahn’s haunting lyrics set to Jimmy Van Heusen’s score, The Second Time Around, immediately to mind. Bing Crosby crooned them in a film, and Frank Sinatra put them on the charts, “Love is lovelier the second time around…Just as wonderful with both feet on the ground.” (I just envision BB in a flowing white dress in a meadow in the Alps, singing her little heart out, don't you?)

There are many advantages to adopting mature animals. You already know what they are going to look like and what size they will be, and you will know their personalities sooner, rather than waiting through those sometimes very trying development stages to find out who they will become. “Mature animals are more poised, and in many ways that makes them easier to train,” says LAAS General Manager, Brenda Barnette. (Ding, Ding, once again something truthful comes from this woman's mouth, that makes 2 truths to God only knows how many lies.)

That is not to say you shouldn’t adopt a kitten, too. Imagine the enjoyment you’ll get watching the adult cat teaching the kitten “the ropes.” In addition, they will have the company of each other when you are away. (Well, which is it BB? You trying to push the older cats to save them from being euthanized or you pushing the kittens, or what?)

When you adopt, you can be a lifesaver and a hero to a homeless pet, no matter their age. And love will be lovelier all the way around! (Love would be your tucking your tail and going elsewhere!)