OK my army of animal loving people – IT IS TIME to mobilize. The city council is saying they are not hearing from anyone who wants more money for animals. If Tasha’s story, Somba’s story, the downtown dog, or Jack’s story moved your heart, this is where compassion turns into action. This is a super easy thing we are asking you to do to forward the quality of life and animal issues in our city and in your neighborhood. It will take 5 minutes of your time tops!
The city has $1million dollars in unassigned budget money and we need you to let them know that it is important to the citizens of Dallas that Dallas Animal Services does not remain underfunded. This is a time sensitive request! Please find 5 minutes and do it today!
The Dallas shelter continues to be understaffed, underfunded, and the field services officers are using archaic methodology that is not in line with a city of our size. Rumor has it that the spay and neuter program is out of money for this year. Here at GDO anytime we ask for training for the DAS field services officers, the first roadblock is always money to pay for the training time. There is money out there – let’s get it!
The Animal Commission has been lobbying hard for weeks for more funding – they need some of the $ 1 Million to be able to continue with Spay/Neuter, staffing, and outreach efforts to provide surgeries, food and care for low income pet owners. We will never get intake numbers and euthanasia numbers down if we cannot stop the source of the intake. All of these components are part of a multifaceted approach to save more lives and to solve Dallas’ animal problems. You can’t make meaningful progress without a multifaceted front.
Our elected City Council have said they are not hearing from anyone who wants more money for animals – they’re hearing about bike lanes and libraries and senior centers. They’re hearing about arts and culture and everything EXCEPT animals. This is our call to action – let them know we care. Here are the simple steps that will take less than 5 minutes and have a HUGE impact on our city. Every call or email will make a HUGE difference to stop the unnecessary killing of shelter animals in the Dallas shelter.
1. If you don’t know who your City Council member is – follow this link and find out who represents you
2. Once you know your rep, email your City Council representative: http://dallascityhall.com/government/council/contact_mcc.html
3. Copy and paste the information below into the body of the email. Make sure to sign the email with your name and address. CC me at doglady@gypsydogops.com
“Dear City Council.
Animal issues are a big concern for my neighborhood. Loose animals, aggressive animals, dumped animals, unvaccinated and unneutered animals are all part of the challenges in our neighborhood. These issues are often associated with high crime rates and quality of life issues.
Animal resources such as low cost spay and neuter program, low cost vaccination and micro chipping are just some of services needed to help improve the quality of life and ensure safe neighborhoods for our city and our citizens. Additionally, the city needs to allocate money to train field services officers in modern best practices concerning animal capture and trapping. Current policies are ineffective and compounding intake numbers. Without proper funding, DAS can not effectively help elevate Dallas’ reputation to that of a world class, innovative city.
As a citizen and voter in your district, I want you to know that animal issues are important to me. Please allocate at least $300,000 of the unallocated $1 million dollars for DAS.”
That’s it – just copy and paste the italic text into the email and send it. If you want to CC me – that would be great: doglady@gypsydogops.com
Please forward this request, share this, post this, email, call everyone you know who can help! Together we will make a difference!
Below is an additional plea from from Mary Spence – the Chairman of the Animal Commission
Subject: Urgent Plea for the Animals!
To my Animal Loving Friends,
Over the last month, the entire Animal Shelter Commission has worked hard and attended everyone of the Town Hall Budget meetings to request additional funding for the animals at Dallas Animal Services. Much like the “Friends of the Library” does each year. We have been told there is approximately $ 1 million surplus money which will be distributed. As most Dallas citizens are aware, Dallas Animal Services has soared to new heights these last two years – saving lives, winning awards and making our community proud. The Live Release Rate is higher than ever and few adoptable animals are having to be euthanized today.
But the shelter continues to be understaffed and seriously underfunded. How are they expected to keep moving forward without more money? The Commission has been lobbying hard for weeks for more funding – we need some of the $ 1 Million to be able to continue with Spay/Neuter, staffing, and outreach efforts to provide surgeries, food and care for low income pet owners – thus keeping additional pets out of the shelter. All of these components are helping to save more lives and to solve Dallas’ pet problems.
Sadly, the majority of our City Council doesn’t seem to care. Many of them have said they are not hearing from anyone who wants more money for animals – they’re hearing about bike lanes and libraries and senior centers. They’re hearing about arts and culture and everything EXCEPT animals.
If you live or work in the City of Dallas, stop what you are doing and call or email your City Council representative RIGHT NOW and ask for AT LEAST $ 200,000 for DAS.
There’s no time left. HURRY! And please keep SHARING! Every call or email will make a HUGE difference to stop the unnecessary killing of shelter animals in the Dallas shelter.
Find your City Council representative:http://www.dalcoelections.org/findprecinct.asp
Email your City Council representative:http://dallascityhall.com/government/council/contact_mcc.html
Call your City Council representative: http://dallascityhall.com/pdf/mcc/mayor-cm_phone-list.pdf