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The T.E.A.R.S. Situation Please click here to reach our blog.

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10/02/09

Compassionate Animal Control Sound like a conflict in terms? You might think so, if you lived in the greater Birmingham, Alabama area or unincorporated Jefferson County. For the last twelve years, there have been numerous allegations, against the current animal control vendor, of withheld medical attention, insufficient food, lack of cleanliness, inappropriate euthanasia methods, and general disregard for the welfare of impounded companion animals.

In 2001, the City of Birmingham made an effort to investigate the vendor's operations inside the pound. The City paid The National Animal Control Association $10,000 to evaluate BJC Animal Control Services, Inc. Excerpts of the final report may be found here. Yet, even after this report, the current animal control vendor kept his contract.

Then Mayor, Bernard Kincaid, was outraged. However, the City's collaboration with Jefferson County, who manages the animal control contract, enabled its continuation.

In April of this year, a local newspaper made public more problems at animal control.

BJC Animal Control Services, Inc. has been on a month-to-month contract for the last 22 months.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Please contact the elected officials at the Jefferson County Commission, Birmingham City Council, and Mayor's Office. Use your voice to call for compassionate and respectful care of impounded companion animals!

10/02/09

Birmingham Zoo: Trails of Africa There have been no elephants at The Birmingham Zoo since June 21, 2007. That was the day that Mona died. Actually, that was the day the zoo ended her life because she could no longer stand-up and draw paying-customers into the attraction. Mona had been alone in her 1/2 acre barren pen for over two years, as her long-time companion, Suzie, died in January 2005. The Birmingham Zoo received an open-ended retirement invitation, in 2005, from The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee for Mona. There she would have enjoyed roaming 2,700 acres of rolling hills, forests, and natural lakes. She could have moved around the sanctuary at-will, enjoying the company of chosen companions. But, Mr. Foster of the captive wildlife center refused the invitation, and Mona died surrounded by concrete walls and metal bars. It was a sad ending for one who had been born wild, captured, and confined in un-natural quarters for over fifty years. Sanctuary was only 4 1/2 hours away but for the ego of profit. While Alabama Wildlife Advocates was applauded for our efforts, we bear great sadness at the loss of Mona.

Now comes the Birmingham Zoo touting their new elephant exhibit, Trails of Africa. This planned exhibit is promoted to house four to six male African elephants. The proposed 14 acre exhibit will include a 3.3 acre living-space, with the remainder of the exhibit for human amenities.