Liveblogging the No-Kill Conference: Welcome and keynote

Hi, everyone! I'm here in Washington DC with our own Kim Thornton right next to me, waiting for the welcome and keynote addresses for the 2010 No-Kill Conference.



Just a general note about liveblogging: This is really live, so there will be typos. Anything in quotation marks is a direct quote, other things are a paraphrase, but as close as I can get them. From time to time refresh the page to see new material. When each post is done, I'll put the body of it behind a "cut" so as not to mess up the main page.



Throughout today and tomorrow, Kim and I will be liveblogging the sessions we attend, so keep coming back!



Now, we wait...



Nathan Winograd takes the stage to much applause.







"You are among friends here."



Says a revolution is taking place across the country. There will be many shelter directors here saving more than 90 percent of the animals in their communities, and have "heard all the excuses" about why every community can't do that.



There are no-kill communities in red states and blue states, north and south, all over the country and the world. Many new since last conference, including Duluth, MN and Shelby County, KY.



All have done it with the same programs and with leadership.



Discussed litigation as well as using existing laws to save animals. Voices for feral cats and pit bulls.



"Killing animals is never an act of kindness when those animals are not suffering."



"It is our desire, our goal, that you will leave inspired."



Attorney, animal control director, rescue group, activist, animal lover -- part of army of compassion in a battle for the hearts and souls of America's shelters. "This is our country, there are our shelters, these are our animals."



"There is no doubt that the No Kill movement has come into its own over the last two years."



Compares no-kill movement to social movements of the past, while also saying those struggles were different from this one. But we can learn from those movements. "History is our guide."



All those movements knew that in order to sustain the changes they were seeking, they must change the law.



Today, most shelters can legally kill animals that come through their doors. The choice is up to the shelters (except strays).



It's at the discretion of the shelters.



We have made huge progress. Killing is on the decline and there are many no-kill communities. But... still many problems. Gives example of woman who was not able to adopt at a shelter due to hours, red tape, etc.



"We can make that reality a thing of the past... just like other movements have."



The main focus of Nathan's presentation so far is that we have to codify these changes in law.



(Comment from Christie: Nathan just put up slides of other social justice movements -- for civil rights, he used Dr. Martin Luther King and Harvey Milk! Thank you for that, Nathan!)



We have laws for voting rights, environmental protection, ending discrimination. We shouldn't just want a promise that shelters will do better -- we must demand accountability, not rhetoric. We need reform that will survive beyond a current director.



Introduces "The Tragedy of Oreo."



"Wasted opportunity for redemption."



Could lessen futility of her death if we learn from it.



Said Oreo's Law sought to level playing field between big nonprofits in our movement, and the small ones that are prevented from doing their mission by the large, wealthy organizations.



ASPCA, he said, used its power to defeat the bill despite massive public support that shut down New York State Assembly servers more than once.



But while lifesaving law was being undermined in New York, the State of Delaware passed groundbreaking legislation protecting lives of sheltered animals.



No fear mongering about hoarders or dog fighting or burden to small shelters or costs... because big national organizations weren't involved. Passed UNANIMOUSLY in both houses of Delaware legislature.



"Who in their right mind could possibly be against legislation to save animals?" Common sense policies.



"Imagine NRDC opposing legilsation to make sure the BP spill didn't happen again." "That is the humane movement we have inherited." We have to fight very groups founded to save animals.



Social justice movements first need to win hearts and minds of American public -- this is an obstacle we do not face.



Even in down economy, spending on animals and giving to animal charities are up. We cut back on our own needs to meet the needs of our animals. Evidence people care is all around us.



Thank you letters from people who adopt animals. People at dog park or on morning walks, at the vet's offices, the faces of scared people wondering what's wrong or tears when they say goodbye. Best selling books about animals. Success of movies about animals, a reflection of our love for them.



No Kill success is the result of PEOPLE, and it has been the PUBLIC who makes the difference in terms of volunteering, donations, foster care. "There is enough love and compassion to overcome the irresponsibility of the few."



Animals do not need to die in animal shelters "because people are irresponsible and do not care about them. People love animals."



If we introduce the laws to save animals, the public is on our sides.



"I am not a religious person, but that does not mean I am a man without faith." He says his faith is in the compassion of his fellow people.



"I understand that my love for animals and your love for animals is not so unique as we've been led to believe. it resides in most people."



"In our movement, out battle is not against the many, but the few, those with a vested interest in the status quo."



"Force them by the rule of law to no longer kill."



We outnumber those people by the millions. We have to stop deferring to leaders who let us down again and again.



What was once called impossible is now inevitable.



Now Richard Avanzino takes the stage.



Thanks everyone for being here. Calls Nathan's welcome message inspirational and exciting. Thanks Nathan for giving him a chance for speaking.



"We are on the brink. A new day is on hand. We are about to achieve what was once called impossible."



"We believe that the no-kill nation is at hand."



Says there is hard fact evidence.



More shelter medicine programs, more no kill nations showing all the ways to market pets, save treatables. Increased donations. Shelter Pet Project.



Talked about numbers from research done developing Shelter Pet Project (Ad Council campaign promoting shelter pets.)



Only need to convince 3-4 million out of 17 million people who are "undecided" but willing to adopt from shelters to do so. Then we'll be saving all healthy and treatable dogs and cats.



Talks about how he came into the movement. Introduces photo of Sido, calls her "the love of my life... although my wife might take exception to that."



Sido's owner died, left in will she should be euthanized. SF/SPCA refused to comply. Reporters would ask, "Why are you fighting to save 11 year old dog?" Then they'd meet Sido and she'd lick their hand and look into their eyes, and Rich wouldn't have to say anything.



Sido had 3000 people who wanted to adopt her... who says you can't adopt older pets? When people saw the spirit and love and unconditional devotion of this devoted friend, they did the job.



Rich used to be a lobbyist and "a recovering attorney." They went to court. Sido had three volunteer lawyers. Governor decided to sign bill which legislature passed in 17 days. Court ruled dogs have the right to love. First time!





"Too many animals, not enough homes? Bunk. Baloney." Talked about Maddie's Matchmaker Adoptathon. 1810 animals adopetd in one weekend.



Says it's a myth that free adoptions are poor quality. Says it's a myth that we can't adopt our way out of the problem.



"It's not that there are too many animals, not enough homes. It's that we need to get their story out better." When people know the story, they respond.



YES WE CAN!



We'll look back on today as the tipping point. "Some of us are radical... Nathan...." (Laughter.) But we can all do this, we're already doing it.



Don't listen to the naysayers. Instead of being marginalized, or impossible dreamers, we are the futures.



We need to stand up and say, "This pet does not died. This pet goes home. This pet needs to live, because to take its life is a crime."



Rich and Nathan hug, then Nathan returns to the podium and says, "Everyone, go out and seize the day!"



Now, on to the sessions!

Comments

[Donna Bloomer]

THANK YOU so much, Christie....I wish I was there, but this is the 'next best thing!'

Yours for the homeless ones,

Donna B., Wilmington, NC

[Christie Keith]

Okay, I'm trying not to curse here, but I saved and doublechecked this, and it was ALL THERE, and now nearly all of it is GONE! I did this live. Where did it go??????

[Christie Keith]

Got it all back. Wow. Scary!

[mary frances]

What a wonderful way to start today - thank you Christie - wish I had been there but with your reporting sorta feel I was.